The BEFuture Acceleration Programme provides up to 30.000 € in funding per selected project, along with technical support and access to an international network. Under the call, which has a total budget of €2.4 million, BEFuture will select at least 80 projects driven by SMEs from Belgium (Flanders), France, Germany, Italy, Spain (Catalonia) and the Netherlands.
The Call is open from 5 December 2024 to 5 February 2025 (17:00 CET).
“We need SMEs and other organisations to pitch fresh ideas that can take the business events sector forward. The development and scaling of innovative products, processes, services, and business models are key to making the sector greener, more inclusive, and more resilient,” said Sònia Serracarbassa, Director of the Catalunya Convention Bureau at the Catalan Tourist Board which coordinates the BEFuture project. “We are eager to invest in cutting-edge innovation and to partner with organisations that are ready to make a lasting impact.”
The Acceleration Programme supports projects across four categories of innovation:
- Radical: Creating new markets or transforming existing ones.
- Disruptive: Leveraging cutting-edge technology to push boundaries.
- Substantial: Significantly improving an existing offering.
- Incremental: Offering upgrades that boost efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
In addition to the financial support made available, the programme provides hands-on expert coaching and training for successful applicants. A separate Call for mentors was launched in October to create a pool of experts and consultants who can accompany SMEs from the first steps until the finalisation of their projects. The costs of the mentoring sessions are funded through the financial support received under the Acceleration Programme
“We are looking for innovations and solutions that could help tackle some of the business event sector’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, skills and inclusion, better experiences and more impact,“ highlighted Marta Rojas, Co-founder and Partner of B.Link and Project Manager of the BEFuture Acceleration Programme. “The programme also seeks to foster synergies with other fields impacting business events, such as the digital, energy, mobility and technology sectors.”
