Building Bonds, Connecting Innovation
Europe’s leading innovation partner network, fast-tracking your connectivity and certifying your value
We believe that, in a world seeking to solve our global challenges, innovative entrepreneurs are the force for sustainable, economic development and greater wellbeing in our local regions.
Becoming a certified EU|BIC or joining the community as an Associate Member means responding to our mission with the best possible actions to create vibrant, thriving startups and SMEs. In other words, EU|BICs take real steps to ensure that their services are best advantageous to their client companies and best advantageous to their regions.
There are now more than 110 Certified EU|BICs and over 60 Associate members shaping our global community.
EBN (European Business and Innovation Centre Network) is the non-profit that facilitates this pan-European, global community of people using innovative business as a driver for regional (economic, sustainable, and social) development. EBN grants and manages the EU|BIC certification and many other innovation solutions for excellent business support actors like the EU|BICs.
© European Union, 2022
EU | BIC community
175+
members
Operating in over 35 countries, covering the full spectrum of innovation sectors, and collaborating for continuous improvement and increased impact.
630+
business experts & partners
Committed to the development and growth of entrepreneurial innovators, providing high-quality services to startups, spin-offs and SMEs.
36,000+
startups
Receive support from our members. Benefiting from expertise and programmes critical to their growth.
1
official certificate
Uniquely granted by EBN to mission-aligned organisations as the only certification of quality for business support organisations originated by the European Commission.
Build New Relationships
Fast-track your connectivity. When your organisation certifies as an EU|BIC you join a powerful community of business leaders, support practitioners and innovation partners expanding your reach within your local and international innovation ecosystems.
Improve Your Results
Getting certified and taking the yearly assessment is a powerful mechanism to help your company set goals for improvement, deliver more value to your clients and your ecosystem, and track performance over time. Members gain access to training, peers, technical assistance and funding opportunities.
Engage Trusted Partners
More than ever, people want to do engage with people and organisations they trust. The EU|BIC Certification and its trusted community are among the smartest ways to attract best-of-class clients, investment partners and to participate in revenue-generating projects that help you deliver on your mission.
Amplify Your Voice
The EU|BIC label communicates that your organisation is a verified business innovation leader when it comes to delivering quality business support and empowering entrepreneurial innovators. The third-party validation helps your organisation to stand out, and stand by your mission.
Smart solutions for all your innovation needs
News & events
Jan
12
2026
The REINFORCING project has opened its 7th Open Call on Responsible Security, supporting European initiatives that integrate Open and Responsible Research and Innovation principles into security-related research. Grants of up to €20,000 are available, with a submission deadline of 4 March 2026.
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Dec
16
2025
The BIC Africa African Boot Camp for business incubation experts wrapped up successfully in Luanda, Angola, on the 21st and 22nd of October 2025, gathering 15 business incubation experts from Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia, and Madagascar
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Dec
16
2025
BIC Africa organised the national bootcamp for Comorian Business Incubation experts. The bootcamp brought together 18 participants representing 12 business incubators across from Comoros.
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Dec
16
2025
EBN participated in the African Start Up Conference, organised in Algier, Algeria.
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Dec
11
2025
This month, EBN presents the November edition of the EU Policy Briefing, outlining the most relevant initiatives and actions in innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development policies. This overview highlights key European policy developments of interest to our international network of EU|BICs and innovation stakeholders.
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Nov
17
2025
EBN proudly announces that the Li Dak Sum Incubator (LDSI) has been officially certified as a EU|BIC (European Business and Innovation Centre) — marking it the first EU|BIC in China.
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Nov
10
2025
How can a visit help reshape a regional innovation strategy? This summer, ICOK’s team travelled to Navarra to explore one of Europe’s most mature life sciences ecosystems.
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Oct
14
2025
Discover the key EU policy updates shaping innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development. The latest EBN Policy Briefing highlights major initiatives and actions driving Europe’s competitiveness and growth.
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The pan-European EU|BIC business innovation community and the Certified EU|BIC quality label were designed as pioneering models for economic growth, facilitated by the EBN Secretariat. Throughout the pandemic, we have witnessed how the model of supporting entrepreneurial innovation continues to be the accelerator for recovery and a solution-driver for global challenges.
Our members, who we serve via the EU|BIC community, partners and the EBN team remain committed to co-design our desired future supported by innovation: creating greater wellbeing to European citizens – and beyond.
Our members, who we serve via the EU|BIC community, partners and the EBN team remain committed to co-design our desired future supported by innovation: creating greater wellbeing to European citizens – and beyond.
EU|BIC quality certification label
Industry
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best-practices
Project
participation
participation
Skills
building training
building training
Dedicated
expert team
expert team
