Companies, organizations, and public administrations from the EU Member States, as well as those from the countries associated with the Digital Europe programme, are eligible to apply for the open calls for projects for digital transition progress. EUR 1.38 billion will be invested in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing services and data spaces, quantum communication infrastructure, advanced digital skills, and the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society by the end of 2022. In addition to this main work programme, the Commission has published two specific work programs: the first focuses on cybersecurity funding with a budget of EUR 269 million by the end of 2022; the second – on the creation and operation of the network of European digital innovation centers with a budget of EUR 329 million by the end of 2023. Documents for the Digital Europe program and information on how to obtain funding are available here: https: // ec. europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_5863
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The Danish venture capital fund Kompas Ventures to invest USD 160 million in start-ups from the US, Europe, and Israel with real estate, construction, and manufacturing developments reducing waste and CO2 emissions. Investments in the initial rounds are expected to range between USD 1 million and USD 5 million. Within the housing sector, Kompas Ventures is looking for young companies focused on modern materials, smart home technology, IoT, and climate technology. Eligible to apply in real estate and construction, are teams with ideas for lifecycle asset optimization, architecture and design of buildings, construction methods, and improving the customer experience. There is also a search for companies with projects in industrial automation, digital supply chain management, cybersecurity, corporate software, and the circular economy – in cases where they are applicable in the above stated areas.
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Berlin’s venture capital fund Greenfield One for investing in crypto companies has announced its third fund with a capital of EUR 135 million. The funds are provided entirely by private sector investors. The new fund aims to invest in about 35 companies in the initial or advanced stages of development with an average of about EUR 3.8 million per company. Greenfield One is looking for blockchain-based business ideas and models of companies with operations in Europe.
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Companies with revolutionary technologies in renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage and capture, use, and storage of carbon dioxide can apply for funding from the European Commission’s innovation fund by March 3, 2022. The fund’s budget of EUR 1.5 billion comes from emission allowance revenues under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Grants will be awarded and projects will be evaluated according to their capacity to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, their innovative potential, their financial and technical sustainability, and their ability to increase scale and cost-effectiveness. Promising projects that are underdeveloped for grant funding will receive development assistance from the European Investment Bank. Submissions are open on the EU’s funding and procurement portal via the link provided here.
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UNIQA Ventures, the venture capital subsidiary of the Austrian insurance company UNIQA, will invest EUR 150 million in start-ups from Central and Eastern Europe in FinTech, InsurTech, and Digital Health. The fund has been operating for five years and has already invested EUR 65 million in more than 30 companies, has five exits and one unicorn. UNIQA Ventures focuses on companies in the early stages of growth, with already established market positions and revenues of around EUR 1 million per year. Companies must demonstrate a dynamic growth rate in recent months and a reasoned forecast for continued growth.