European Venture Contest

- European wide contest for SMEs who are seeking funding:
Qualifier:
 * 1) Venture Forum
 * 2) EVC Semi Final
 * 3) Online Reviews

- Final – European Venture Summit (EVS)
European Venture Contest
 * Annual programme in its 9th edition in 2013


 * Finds, benchmarks, supports and awards innovative companies from across Europe


 * Over 800 innovative companies compete in 3 streams: ICT, life sciences and clean technologies


 * Over 400 companies are selected to one of 10+ qualifying events (Semi-Finals or Venture Forums) with feedback from over 300 participating venture capital or corporate investors and advisors


 * Of these 400 companies the Top100 are identified via expert reviews at each Semi-Final and Venture Forum


 * The Top100 companies present at the European Venture Summit and the Top 25 will be selected

European Venture Summit
 * Early December, the annual flagship event of Europe Unlimited, in its 6th edition in 2012


 * Presentations by the Top100 Companies selected though the European Venture Contest


 * Attended by over 300 people, of which 100 of Europe’s most active venture capital or corporate investors


 * Presentation sessions, pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, discussion sessions, partner roundtables

Semi-Final - European Venture Contest
 * 30 innovative companies in life sciences, ICT and clean technologies recruited to apply for selection to present their business at the event – at least 30 are selected for presentation.


 * 25 local and foreign expert investors to join expert panels to review presenting companies based on 7 criteria (Business Potential, Product Merit, Presentation Quality, et al).


 * Top25% best reviewed companies are awarded and invited to the European Venture Summit, Europe’s flagship venture investment event at the end of the year.


 * Possibility of hosting dedicated Life Sciences or Cleantech event with more refined matchmaking process which attracts specialized investors with focus on particular (sub-) sector.


 * Promotes promising clusters in job-generating sectors such as MedTech, Healthcare, Aging, Biomaterials (Life Sciences) or Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Biomass, ...), Energy Efficiency and Environment (Cleantech)

Venture Forum
 * Over 25 editions of Semi-Finals have taken place
 * 40 Companies selected in a broader region (Benelux, Nordics, Iberia, Central Europe, …) or in a technology sector (life sciences, ICT or clean technologies)


 * 50 local and foreign expert investor review presenting companies based on 7 criteria and accept one-on-one meetings


 * 100 attending delegates take part in discussion sessions and pre-arranged meetings (One2Ones)


 * Top25% is selected for the European Venture Summit and Contest Top100

Venture Academy
 * Venture Forums have taken place in the Benelux (9 editions), the Nordics (8 editions), Life
 * For innovative companies wishing to enhance their investor-readiness


 * 20 companies (from the hosting region) selected to present in sector-focused coaching sessions


 * 12 local and foreign experts coach and benchmark companies based on 7 criteria


 * Over 50 Editions have taken place – mainly before a Venture Forum and the Summit

Selection Criteria

1.      Business Potential

2.       Team experience

3.       Product / Technology merit

4.       Competitive position

5.       Investment or partnering interest

6.       Company profile quality

7.      Company Presentation quality