STARTUP3 · Project

A Platform That Matches Deep-Tech Startups With Corporate Buyers Across Europe

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Imagine you've got brilliant inventors in labs all over Europe, but they have no idea which companies actually need their inventions. STARTUP3 built an online matchmaking system — like a dating app, but for deep-tech startups and big corporates looking for cutting-edge solutions. It walked startups through a 3-phase growth program (get started, get better, get bigger) and gave them direct access to real corporate problems to solve. The whole thing ran across 5 countries with clusters, tech-transfer experts, and a startup studio working together.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries covered

SMEs in consortium

43%

industry participation ratio

phases in growth support program (UPTAKE-UPGRADE-UPSCALE)

total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Most deep-tech startups have breakthrough technology but no access to the corporate buyers who actually need it. Meanwhile, large companies spend millions scouting for innovation but rarely look beyond their usual networks. The result is a massive mismatch: solutions exist in European labs that could solve real industrial problems, but the two sides never meet.

The solution

What was built

STARTUP3 built two main platforms: (1) an online Hub offering ecosystem mapping, training resources, publications, and documentation for deep-tech startup support, and (2) the FOUNDER STUDIO Ideation2Market evaluation and monitoring module, fully tested and rolled out for screening startups through an Open Call process. The project delivered 8 total deliverables across its 2-year run.

Audience

Who needs this

Corporate innovation directors looking for structured deep-tech scouting programsStartup accelerators wanting a tested evaluation methodology for deep-tech venturesRegional development agencies building cross-border innovation ecosystemsTechnology clusters seeking to connect their member startups with corporate buyersTech-transfer offices needing a repeatable startup-to-market pipeline

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Corporate Innovation

enterprise

Target: Large corporations with open innovation or R&D scouting departments

If you are a corporate innovation manager struggling to find deep-tech startups that actually solve your operational problems — STARTUP3 built an online hub and a 3-phase matching program (UPTAKE-UPGRADE-UPSCALE) that connects you with vetted deep-tech teams across 5 European countries. The FOUNDER STUDIO platform was tested and rolled out specifically to evaluate and monitor startup-corporate matches.

Startup Acceleration

any

Target: Startup accelerators and incubators seeking deep-tech deal flow

If you are running an accelerator and your deep-tech pipeline is thin or geographically limited — STARTUP3 created a cross-border ecosystem with 7 partners across 5 countries specifically to source, evaluate, and grow deep-tech ventures. Their Ideation2Market evaluation module gives you a tested methodology for screening startups from lab stage to market readiness.

Technology Transfer

any

Target: University tech-transfer offices and research commercialization units

If you are a tech-transfer office that struggles to move research out of the lab and into companies — STARTUP3 developed a hub platform with training resources, ecosystem mapping, and documentation specifically designed to bridge that gap. The consortium included 2 research organizations and 3 SMEs, combining academic reach with commercial know-how.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to use the STARTUP3 platform or methodology?

Based on available project data, STARTUP3 ran an Open Call model where startups applied to the program. The EU contribution is not available in the dataset, so specific pricing or fee structures cannot be confirmed. The online hub and FOUNDER STUDIO platform were project-funded tools.

Can this work at industrial scale across multiple countries?

Yes — the consortium spanned 5 countries (Greece, France, Latvia, Serbia, Slovenia) with 7 partners, demonstrating cross-border operation. The STARTUP3 Hub was designed as an online platform accessible to all ecosystem participants regardless of location.

Who owns the platform and methodology — can I license it?

The STARTUP3 Hub and FOUNDER STUDIO platform were developed under an EU Innovation Action by a 7-partner consortium led by POLE SCS (France). IP arrangements would need to be discussed with the coordinator. The FOUNDER STUDIO was described as 'fully adjusted to STARTUP3 program requirements,' suggesting it may be adaptable for other programs.

Is the project still active or was it a one-time program?

STARTUP3 ran from January 2020 to December 2021 and is now closed. However, the platforms and methodology developed during the project could still be operational or available for licensing. The project website startup3.eu may have current status information.

How does the matching process actually work?

STARTUP3 used a 3-phase approach they called UPTAKE-UPGRADE-UPSCALE, driven by what they term Key Performance Areas — essentially real corporate problems. The FOUNDER STUDIO platform handled evaluation and monitoring of startups going through the program, from ideation to market entry.

What kind of startups went through the program?

Based on project data, STARTUP3 focused on 'high impact deep-tech innovators' — startups built on serious research and technology rather than software-only plays. The program targeted ventures that needed access to real market problems and corporate test beds to prove their solutions.

Consortium

Who built it

The 7-partner consortium across 5 countries (Greece, France, Latvia, Serbia, Slovenia) is deliberately diverse, mixing 3 industry clusters (POLE SCS, LITC, ITC), 2 research and innovation specialists (INO, EKT), one research-to-market SME (AGENSO), and one startup studio (HOLA-UP). With 3 SMEs and a 43% industry ratio, this is a practitioner-heavy team rather than an academic one — good news if you want methods that actually work in the market. The French coordinator POLE SCS is a technology cluster, suggesting strong ties to the digital and connected solutions industry. No universities were involved, which is unusual but signals the project was firmly oriented toward market execution rather than research.

POLE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICANTES SECURISEESCoordinator · FR
AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONSparticipant · EL
LATVIJAS INFORMACIJAS TEHNOLOGIJU KLASTERISparticipant · LV
INOSENS DOO NOVI SADparticipant · RS
ITC - INOVACIJSKO TEHNOLOSKI GROZD MURSKA SOBOTAparticipant · SI
ETHNIKO KENTRO TEKMIRIOSIS KAI ILEKTRONIKOU PERIECHOMENOUparticipant · EL

How to reach the team

POLE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICANTES SECURISEES (POLE SCS) based in France — a technology cluster focused on connected and secure solutions. Contact via project website or CORDIS portal.

Order a report on this consortium See POLE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICANTES SECURISEES profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to replicate STARTUP3's deep-tech matchmaking approach for your own ecosystem? SciTransfer can connect you with the consortium partners and help adapt the methodology to your sector.

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