Securing investment is a challenging and time-consuming process for many founders, often diverting their attention from growing their businesses. According to Horizon Dashboard and Dealroom, the EU directs about 20% of its funding towards SMEs, but within this group of funded SMEs, only 7% manage to secure additional investment from venture capitalists. This indicates that while a significant portion of EU funds supports SMEs, a much smaller percentage of these EU-funded projects go on to attract VC funding.
Discover.Dealflow is a pioneering matchmaking platform born from the European Commission’s Innovation Radar initiative, designed to spotlight and support high-potential innovations emerging from EU-funded research and innovation projects on their fundraising journey.
Streamlined Fundraising with Innovative Features
Discover.Dealflow introduces several key features designed to simplify and optimise the fundraising process. The new fundraising card feature allows startups to highlight their active fundraising status, specify critical details such as target round size and closing dates, and attach essential documents including pitch decks and videos. This functionality ensures that investors can quickly identify and engage with startups that meet their investment criteria, significantly improving the efficiency of the fundraising process.
For EU-funded innovators, these features offer a valuable opportunity to gain visibility among a wider, more targeted investor audience. By making it easier for innovators to showcase their projects and provide comprehensive information, Discover.Dealflow facilitates more meaningful connections with potential investors.
The platform’s ability to showcase innovations effectively and connect them with relevant investors aligns with the project’s objective of boosting market uptake and fostering collaboration within the European innovation ecosystem. This alignment helps ensure that groundbreaking technologies from EU-funded research programmes receive the attention they deserve.
Flexible and Secure Information Sharing
A standout feature of Discover.Dealflow is its flexible approach to information sharing. Startups can upload pitch decks and other critical materials to their profiles, with options to control who can access this information. This flexibility allows innovators to manage how their details are shared while engaging with interested investors. While this feature does not directly address intellectual property concerns, it facilitates efficient and targeted investor interactions.
Comprehensive Profile and Navigation Enhancements
The platform’s updated profile capabilities allow startups to include detailed information such as pitch deck links, company summaries, and funding achievements. These enhancements offer investors a thorough view of each startup’s potential, making it easier to identify promising opportunities. Additionally, Discover.Dealflow’s improved navigation tools link directly to Innovation Radar and EIC-funded companies, streamlining the process for investors to discover and explore EU-funded innovations.
The revamped homepage also delivers tailored content and insights, including an upcoming report Performance Evaluation of European Funding Schemes for Research and Innovation in collaboration with Dealroom in October 2024. This report will provide an in-depth analysis of the EU-funded innovation landscape, offering valuable insights for startups aiming to refine their strategies and engage more effectively with investors.
Unlocking New Opportunities
Discover.Dealflow provides EU-funded innovators with an array of tools designed to enhance their visibility and streamline their fundraising efforts. By integrating these features with the objectives of the Innovation Radar Bridge project, the platform supports startups in connecting with the right investors and securing the funding necessary to advance their innovations.
Founders are encouraged to claim their profiles on Discover.Dealflow.eu and leverage these advanced tools to optimise their fundraising efforts. Doing so can significantly improve their chances of attracting investment and achieving growth, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of amplifying the impact of EU-funded innovations. Learn how to do claim your page here.
Join the Conversation
The Innovation Radar Bridge project, a collaborative effort between EU-Startups, Dealflow.eu, and Dealroom.co, aims to enhance the visibility and impact of these EU-funded innovations by fostering connections among innovators, investors, and policymakers.
We invite all stakeholders—innovators, investors, and policymakers—to become part of our dynamic community. Join our Slack group to connect with peers, share insights, and stay updated on the latest developments. Engage in meaningful discussions, participate in events, and contribute to advancing EU-funded innovations. Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of European innovation! Join the Slack Community.
