Bridgehead

The Bridgehead programme provides European start-ups and scale-ups with individualised support in growing their validated businesses beyond their home markets. During this process, start-ups are guided by members of EIT Health’s vetted European network of top-notch accelerators, who open the right doors to establish and grow cross-border business.

The Bridgehead programme operates within two distinct tracks to meet the start-ups’ demands: Bridgehead Europe and Bridgehead Global. Both programmes are similar in structure but differ in organisation. Bridgehead Europe aims at helping start-ups expand their business beyond their home market into a different European country, and Bridgehead Global aims at internationalisation beyond Europe. Depending on their internalisation needs, start-ups can apply to either one or another in a given year.

Bridgehead Europe

The programme follows an individual and needs-based approach by matching promising start-ups and SMEs to suitable clusters, accelerators and incubators (so-called CATalysers or CATs) from the EIT Health European network. The participating start-ups receive vouchers of up to €30 000 to travel to CATs of their choice and receive their services. CATs are trusted and seasoned local support teams that guide the start-ups and can open the right doors to establish and grow cross-border businesses. The programme also offers mentoring, services, resources and vacant physical spaces to start-ups that need them.

Is it for me?

The EIT Health Bridgehead Europe Programme is suitable for micro- and small enterprises (less than 50 employees) that are active in the fields of MedTech, BioTech and Digital Health, are incorporated in an H2020-eligible country, and are operating in an EU country. Applicants should have a defined product strategy, proven traction in their home market and a clear internationalisation plan in Europe.

Applications are closed for 2020.

Bridgehead Global

Bridgehead Global is an internationalisation programme to facilitate European health start-ups in scaling out beyond Europe. EIT Health provides funding up to €40 000 for SMEs to work with a Global CAT who will guide the start-up and facilitate their preparation and readiness to travel to the location of their choice within EIT Health’s network of collaborators beyond-Europe, including the US, Canada, Israel, China and Japan, among others.

Is it for me?

The EIT Health Bridgehead Global Programme is suitable for micro- and small enterprises (less than 50 employees) that are active in the fields of MedTech, BioTech and Digital Health, are incorporated in an H2020-eligible country, and are operating in an EU country. Applicants should have a defined product strategy, proven traction in their home market and a clear internationalisation plan for going beyond Europe.

Applications are closed for 2020.