Over the past two years, the Ready2Scale project has supported 25 deep-tech (DDT) startups in expanding their businesses internationally. Alongside startup acceleration, the project organized a range of workshops and events for the broader supporting ecosystem and investor communities. But what benefits did the programme bring to startups and investors alike?
Supporting Deep-Tech Scaleups Across Europe
The main objective of Ready2Scale, funded by the European Union, was to help deep-tech startups grow beyond their national borders. Across two application rounds, the programme received nearly 500 applications across Europe, from which 25 startups were selected in two rounds to join the 6-month Acceleration Programme.
Throughout the programme, the startups collaborated with peers from different regions, established valuable connections with potential investors, and participated in a series of online and onsite matchmaking events, seminars, and mentoring sessions – with insights from over 100 mentors.
According to Anna Tórz, Civitta, Project Manager of Ready2Scale, the programme was highly practical and placed a strong emphasis on investor engagement. “The participants learned how to approach investors, how to communicate effectively, and what key information investors look for,” she added.
Investment Readiness and Mentorship
A central element of the acceleration journey was the Investment Readiness Programme (IRP), a hands-on initiative designed to help digital and deep-tech startups prepare for scalable growth. Participants benefited from personalized one-on-one mentoring and group training sessions, tailored to their industry needs and growth stage.
One of the most impactful features of the six-month programme was the financial support of up to €60,000 per startup. This funding allowed teams to strengthen their internal capacity, motivate team members, and address critical legal and operational challenges prior to investor onboarding. “Anyone familiar with DDT startups knows that development takes significantly more time and resources compared to conventional businesses,” Anna Tórz noted. “That’s why financial support is vital for their survival.”
The programme has received high praise from its participants. Eamonn Galvin, former eBay executive and founder of KnowCarbon, one of the startups supported through Ready2Scale, shared his experience. “The mentors have been incredible, the grant funding allows us to invest in the business, and the programme has been very scale-up-friendly and accessible. We found the application process very easy as compared to some other start-up funding grants, and the level of support and guidance offered by Ready2Scale Acceleration Program is second to none. The Ready2Scale team and mentors understand the needs of scale-ups and are great to work with,” he added.
Market Discovery Missions
The selected teams were invited to Market Discovery Missions, which provided opportunities to visit target markets, meet potential partners, and consult with local experts. “Although much can be done online, face-to-face meetings remain the most effective for building strong business relationships,” emphasized Kristiina Libe, DeepTech Project Manager at Tehnopol.
These missions often coincided with major international conferences, enabling startups to gain visibility and establish new strategic connections.
Building a Stronger Community: The Future Founders Club
Graduates of the Ready2Scale Academy were invited to join the Future Founders Club – a community initiative focused on strengthening the ecosystem. According to Libe, these gatherings brought together aspiring entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts to share ideas, exchange experiences, and grow together. “Our events explored real-world topics that often get overlooked in traditional accelerator or incubation programs – yet every founder encounters them,” Libe explained. “Beyond inspiring discussions, we connected participants with key support organizations that can help turn their ideas into reality.”
Michał Wujewski, Senior Business Development Specialist, Poznan Science and Technology Park, the Ready2Scale Project Coordinator commented that from the very beginning, Ready2Scale set out to create lasting, sustainable impact. “We brought ecosystem players on board early to ensure deep-tech start-ups could grow through our acceleration programme, while giving stakeholders the chance to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.”
Engaging the Investor Community
One of the goals of Ready2Scale was also to educate and engage European investors about the potential of deep-tech ventures, fostering greater confidence in evaluating and investing in this evolving field. To achieve this, the project hosted a series of specialized webinars for investors interested in the digital and deep-tech sectors.
The feedback from investors who attended the webinars has been overwhelmingly positive. Alessandro Craglia, EU Project Manager at EBAN, the leading pan-European Business Angel Investment Network, praised the initiative: “The Ready2Scale Investor Academy Workshops were an excellent opportunity for investors to gain insights into entering the deep-tech sector, guided by some of the top early-stage investors in the field. Through their unique perspectives and extensive experience, the course mentors helped participants navigate the key challenges faced when approaching this sector and shared the best practices that have contributed to their own success. A good mentor can make all the difference – between getting lost in the valley of death and finding the path to the top of the mountain!” Access Ready2Scale investor webinars here.
As the Ready2Scale project comes to an end, its outcomes continue to contribute to the growth of Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem. Through practical support, mentoring, and investor engagement, the programme has helped participating startups take necessary steps toward international expansion. Beyond the direct support provided to 25 companies, Ready2Scale has also encouraged stronger connections among entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. With initiatives like the Future Founders Club, the project has helped nurture a collaborative environment that will continue to benefit emerging innovators across Europe.
The Ready2Scale project was a collaborative effort by Civitta – Project Coordinator (Estonia), Tehnopol (Estonia), Poznan Science and Technology Park (Poland), and the European Business Angels Network (Belgium).