EU 

The European Commission launched on 18 March 2021, at an online event, the European Innovation Council (EIC) with a budget of over €10 billion (in current prices) for 2021-2027 to develop and expand breakthrough innovations. The EIC combines research on emerging technologies with an accelerator program and a dedicated equity fund, the European Innovation Council Fund, to scale up innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Around €3 billion of the EIC's budget will go towards the EIC Fund. At the same time, two prizes for Women Innovators and the European Capital of Innovation are opened for applications.

Following the launch of the European Innovation Council and the announcement of the first funding opportunities, on April 9th the Commission opened the first EIC Accelerator calls. The funding worth over €1 billion aims to help scale up start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses that have the potential to achieve high impact. While over half of the funding is open to breakthrough innovations in any field, €495 million are earmarked for innovations that support the European Green Deal as well as digital and health technologies. A unique financing model offers start-ups and SMEs grants of up to €2.5 million combined with equity investments through the EIC Fund ranging from €500,000 to €15 million. 

 Mexico 

Competition in Road to Innovate Mexico 2021 provides with access to training courses, mentoring and networking events, it is a program of activities carried out in the main cities of Mexico and Central America to convene and prepare emerging entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea, already established and in the process of consolidation. The finalist entrepreneurs selected during the call will be able to access the platform and community of the Innovate Entrepreneurship Program.  Emerging entrepreneurs with innovative products or services, who want to generate positive changes in their region and whose entrepreneurship is within the categories of Health, Smart Cities,  Energy, Undertaking in times of pandemic and General.