Advisory Board and International Ecosystem Development

This individualised service helps EIC beneficiaries strengthen their strategic positioning by establishing an effective advisory board and building a high-value international stakeholder ecosystem around their innovation. The objective is to connect innovators with relevant European actors capable of providing strategic, technical, commercial or investment support while strengthening governance and long-term collaboration.  

The service is delivered by experts in innovation ecosystems, governance and stakeholder engagement over a period of up to 12 months. It is suitable for research teams preparing spin-offs, start-ups and innovative SMEs across all sectors and technology readiness levels. 

The programme is organised into four phases. The first phase assesses strategic needs, identifies capability gaps and maps potential advisory profiles and ecosystem stakeholders. The second phase supports the design of the advisory board structure, governance model and stakeholder engagement strategy. During the third phase, beneficiaries receive guidance in approaching, engaging and activating selected advisers and strategic partners. The final phase focuses on consolidating the advisory board, defining annual governance practices and establishing a long-term stakeholder engagement roadmap. 

Activities include stakeholder mapping, advisory profile definition, identification and prioritisation of European ecosystem actors, preparation of engagement materials, governance documentation, meeting planning and mentoring throughout the implementation process. 

Expected outcomes include an operational advisory board structure, an international stakeholder portfolio, a governance framework and an actionable engagement plan including annual advisory board meetings and follow-up recommendations.