The EPICENTRE Project was launched with a clear mission: to accelerate the green and digital transition of European industrial ecosystems through cross-sectoral and cross-regional collaboration. We are proud to report that this model has proven to be a resounding success, generating a tangible impact on SMEs, startups, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

This impact evaluation has meticulously analyzed how EPICENTRE’s interventions translated into measurable change for program participants. Here are our most significant findings:

1. Transformative Economic and Business Impact

EPICENTRE has significantly expanded business opportunities and international reach for SMEs through a multifaceted strategy:

• Direct Funding and Investment: 50 SMEs received up to €42,400 in equity-free funding, enabling them to develop, test, and validate their solutions. GALA events connected these SMEs with investors and strategic partners, opening doors for post-project financing and commercial agreements.
• Job Creation and Revenue Growth: Beneficiaries reported internal growth, including expanding their teams to support technical development and business scaling. 25% of Call 1 SMEs and 30.8% of Call 2 SMEs experienced an increase in revenue directly resulting from the program.
• Strategic Collaborations and Market Access: SMEs were strategically matched with large corporates in the Agri-food, Fintech, Digital/ICT, and Health sectors, gaining access to new markets and customer segments across Europe.

2. Innovation and Ecosystem Strengthening

The project has been a catalyst for innovation, supporting the growth of high-potential startups and SMEs:

• Inspiring Success Stories: Companies like IamHero (VR-based cognitive rehabilitation), FingerprintML (AI fraud detection), Vitum (IoT supply chain traceability), VoiceMed (AI respiratory diagnostics), Bcnvision (deep learning industrial inspection), and Seedsight (AI in-store customer behavior analytics) have scaled up and advanced their solutions thanks to EPICENTRE.
• Strategic Collaboration with Corporates: The interaction between SMEs and corporates was a central pillar. Corporates defined the innovation challenges for the Open Calls, and their engagement in the LAUNCH, SUSTAIN, and DRIVE phases allowed solutions to be adapted to real market needs. For example, IamHero partnered with Villa delle Ginestre for clinical validation, and VoiceMed worked with Pineta Grande Hospital to test its AI tool in a clinical setting.
• Innovative Technologies: Projects developed and validated technologies with strong complementarity to existing systems, applying AI, machine learning, IoT, and virtual reality. These included certified VR platforms, real-time fraud detection systems, modular supply chain platforms, AI-based diagnostic tools, and deep learning visual inspection systems.

3. Profound Impact on SMEs and Startups

The 50 selected SMEs demonstrated clear and diverse growth trajectories:

• Technological Development and Operational Maturity: Many solutions progressed from early prototypes to fully deployable services, integrating AI, IoT, and predictive analytics. Over 70% of funded SMEs implemented digital tools and process innovations, leading to improved efficiency.
• Investment Readiness: A significant number of SMEs improved their investment readiness, initiating discussions with private investors or applying for follow-on funding.
• Positive Participant Feedback: Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. SMEs highlighted customized mentoring, financial support, and strategic workshops as the most valuable elements. 83.3% of Call 1 SMEs and 92.3% of Call 2 SMEs felt supported in developing new technologies, products, or processes.

4. Contribution to Society and the Environment

EPICENTRE has made a concrete contribution to Europe's green and digital transition:

• Sustainable Innovations: Supported solutions focused on resource efficiency, waste reduction, AI-based optimization, and digital transformation. Projects like AV&DL4Canning addressed waste reduction in agri-food, and Seedsight aimed to optimize pesticide use for sustainable farming.
• Inclusivity and Geographic Diversity: The project selected SMEs from 24 countries, ensuring broad geographic diversity and promoting participation from less represented regions. Gender balance was considered in team composition during evaluation, and communication adopted a neutral and inclusive tone.

In summary, EPICENTRE has proven to be an effective accelerator of innovation and ecosystem cooperation, offering a replicable model for cross-sectoral, cross-border industrial transformation, in line with EU policy priorities on industrial resilience, digitalization, and sustainability.