S3E Program’s Second Open Call: Empowering South European Deep Tech Innovators

South3E (also known as S3E) is an ambitious joint initiative launched in September 2022, funded by the European Commission as part of the Horizon Europe Programme.

In its zeal to expedite entrepreneurship and foster innovation across Southern Europe, the EU-backed endeavour, the Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine (S3E), unveils an avant-garde initiative.

This initiative, steeped in the ethos of social and sustainable impact, constitutes the quintessential support program for a cohort comprising researchers, startups, and corporate entities engrossed in developing Deep Tech solutions.

The Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine consortium joyfully heralds the commencement of its sophomore Open Call for the S3E program. This EU-funded endeavour stands as a beacon nurturing Deep Tech entrepreneurship within the tapestry of South European nations.

Having shepherded over 40 visionaries and trailblazers through the inaugural phase of the program, S3E now orchestrates a resurgence with its second edition. This resurgence signifies an ongoing commitment to unfurl fresh prospects for the deep tech ecosystem, a community striving to traverse the formidable go-to-market hiatus pervasive in Southern Europe.

I totally recommend the S3E program to anyone who wants to turn their ideas into successful businesses. The program’s effectiveness and the support we received were incredible, and it has given us the confidence to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams.

Alexandra Kortsinoglou, TriPHYTE Researcher
S3E Start, 2023 Cohort

Engage with the S3E Program: Decoding its Essence and Audience

The S3E Accelerator Program, an embodiment of tailored intricacies, weaves a narrative through three distinct tracks, each meticulously fashioned to cater to the variegated requisites of participants entrenched within the deep tech innovation spectrum.

S3E Start: Initiating the journey, this track extends its arm to research teams and tech transfer offices, guiding them through the labyrinth of exploring the commercial viability of their profound tech projects. The crucible for this exploration is an immersive 18-week online training program.

Within this temporal expanse, selected research teams unravel the intricacies of fashioning a business case for their science-based products or services. An indispensable facet of this expedition is the one-on-one support and mentorship bestowed upon these teams by seasoned mentors. As the program crescendos, a crescendo is reached as these teams seize the opportunity to pitch their innovations before discerning investors.

S3E Charge: As the second movement in this symphony, S3E Charge is orchestrated for deep tech startups navigating their growth trajectory. The emphasis here is refining their business models and acquiring acumen to access dilutive and non-dilutive funding.

Across 14 weeks, chosen startups are enveloped in bespoke mentorship, navigating the labyrinthine validation process for their products or services. Simultaneously, the creation of an investment-ready business plan takes centre stage.

This track curates knowledge and networking opportunities with titans in entrepreneurship and innovation. The program crescendo echoes the opportunity for startups to present their narratives before potential investors, a culmination of their transformative journey.

S3E Reverse: Unveiling the third dimension, S3E Reverse ingeniously bridges corporate challenges with solutions emanating from scaleups and SMEs. This alchemy is executed through the prism of a Brokerage Program, a testament to a proven open innovation methodology.

The orchestration unfolds in two acts: first, large companies and public organizations, donned as the ‘Challengers,’ submit profound deep tech challenges. In the second act, the spotlight shifts to scaleups and SMEs, aptly named the ‘Solvers,’ who respond to the challenges with innovative deep tech solutions or products.

A dance of engagement commences as participants from both realms partake in the Brokerage program, enveloped by expert support to catalyze meaningful business collaborations.

How to apply

The S3E Open Call #2 welcomes applications from the following countries:

• South European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
• Associated countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Turkey.

Those interested in joining the S3E Program can access the relevant application form and guiding materials available on the .

Timeline for S3E Open Call #2

• 15 December 2023: Deadline to apply to S3E Charge (startups) and S3E Reverse (large organisations acting as ‘Challengers’)
• 12 January 2024: Deadline for applying to S3E Start (research teams & tech transfer offices)

After receiving the applications and running an independent evaluation, the selected participants will be invited to join their respective tracks as part of the S3E Accelerator Program:

• S3E Start will be active from 6 February until 6 June 2024
• S3E Charge will run from 18 January until 26 April 2024
• S3E Reverse will develop its Brokerage Program between April and September 2024 (the Open Call for Solvers will launch on 15 January 2024)

More information about the project and the open call is available on the .