Bridging the Innovation Gap: The S3E Project and Its Impact on Southern European Entrepreneurship

HiSeedTech is pleased to announce the publication of our peer-reviewed article, Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine: A Model for Deep Tech Commercialization and Sustainable Growth, on the European Commission’s Open Research Europe platform. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the methodology, impact, and key lessons learned from the Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine (S3E), an initiative designed to bridge the gap between deep tech innovation and market adoption.

Advancing Deep Tech Entrepreneurship in Southern Europe

The S3E initiative was funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and concluded in 2024. It was the result of a collaborative effort between HiSeedTech and a consortium of expert organizations, including Australo (Spain), International Development Ireland (Ireland), and The Institute for Sustainable Development, an initiative of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO). Together, we worked towards strengthening the commercialization pathways for deep tech ventures, providing tailored support to researchers, startups, and innovation-driven enterprises across Southern Europe.

Key Contributions of the Paper

The paper explores:

The S3E Methodology: A structured approach to accelerating deep tech commercialization through mentorship, training, and investment-readiness programs tailored to the unique challenges of technology-driven startups.

Impact and Outcomes: The quantifiable effects of the initiative, including the number of supported startups, the level of investment secured, and the broader implications for Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

Lessons Learned: Insights gained from the execution of S3E, highlighting best practices, key challenges, and recommendations for policymakers and innovation stakeholders aiming to foster sustainable deep tech entrepreneurship.

Strengthening Europe’s Innovation Landscape

By sharing our experience and findings, we aim to contribute to the broader European conversation on how to support deep tech innovation effectively. The S3E initiative demonstrated the critical role of structured support mechanisms in helping deep tech startups navigate complex commercialization processes, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth.

We invite researchers, policymakers, and innovation stakeholders to explore the paper on Open Research Europe and engage with us in ongoing discussions about the future of deep tech entrepreneurship in Europe.

Read the full publication here.