After the EIC Summit 2025 and EIC Partners Day, it is a good time to reflect on the past year of ecosystem partnership with the European Innovation Council (EIC) for internationalisation. Looking back to 2023, when EIC decided to expand their EIC service catalogue with a new section focusing on internationalisation, inXso had the pleasure of joining as one of the first and few to focus exclusively on the healthcare sector.

Dedicated Programmes for EIC Beneficiaries

Supporting EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders in their internationalisation efforts has been just a tiny part of the ever-evolving collaboration with the EIC, as the programme presents an exceptional platform to exchange insights and expertise within the ecosystem with some of the best innovators in Europe.

The extent of on-demand services provided by the EIC ecosystem is illustrated by initiatives such as the Tech2Market Venture Building programme, which focuses on leveraging research results to build ventures from viable business ideas, and the EIC Access+ call, created exclusively to accelerate Deep-Tech Innovations.

Within such programmes, inXso is dedicated on supporting EIC pathfinder, EIC transition, EIC accelerator, and EIC Seal of Excellence holders in realising their innovation paths and developing their businesses to be market-access ready in the highly regulated healthcare sector.

EIC beneficiaries have developed their R&D roadmaps and successfully navigated regulatory challenges while building sustainable financial models, all by utilising our unique interdisciplinary and international expertise

Backing Visionary Entrepreneurs

Since inXso is providing specific niche support focusing on the on-demand needs of the EIC beneficiary, the support may include grassroots essentials such as compiling technical documentation, ensuring ISO 13485:2016 compliance, designing clinical trials according to ISO 14155:2020, creating risk management plans according to ISO 14971:2019, and IEC 62366 ensuring usability in the process, to name a few.

On a higher level, EIC beneficiaries have ensured their investor readiness by creating additional assets through inXso’s technical assessment, building sustainable financial models and fundraising strategies through inXso’s business development insights, and developing regulatory roadmaps with viable reimbursement models to access international markets leveraging inXso’s international regulatory expertise.

Learning from the Best

Since emerging medical technologies are the cornerstone of inXso’s activities in our continuous and ever-evolving cooperation with research teams, helping EIC beneficiaries is one of the areas where we feel most comfortable.

At the same time, it has been a great pleasure to see and get to know the cream of the crop of innovations supported by the EIC ecosystem and to learn from the latest research.

Given the nature of emerging medical technologies, it is not a straightforward process to establish regulatory routes as, in many cases, the current regulatory framework does not cover the innovation – yet, since regulatory compliance is reactive in nature and evolves according to the latest research seeking its way to market.

However, precisely because of these challenges, nothing is as rewarding as seeing cutting-edge research reach healthcare providers and patients.

About inXso

Born internationally, we help innovators open new lines of research and technology that are disrupting existing healthcare ecosystems.

inXso is an innovation agency specialising in breakthrough, disruptive, and emerging technologies for healthcare, covering deep tech and nanotechnology solutions for medical, biomedical, and health technology. Following our motto, “We bridge the gap between medical research, the development of medical innovation, and international commercialisation”, we provide expertise in co-innovation and development, international business development, and innovation procurement support.

inXso provides services in the healthcare sector with three focus areas:

• Co-innovation & development
• International business development
• Innovation procurement support

EIC Partner for Internationalisation

Get familiar with our support for internationalisation in the healthcare sector in the EIC Catalogue.

EIC Internationalisation Services by inXso

Internationalisation services for EIC beneficiaries in the healthcare sector are provided by inXso in the framework of the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support programme.

Due to the extensive network of experts operating in this area, the internationalisation services are focused profoundly on internationalisation in the US, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Asia, in particular Japan, South Korea, Malesia and Taiwan.

Tailored to meet the needs of EIC beneficiaries from the Health and medical care, Biotechnology and Health Tech, and Pharmaceuticals sectors, specifically such as:

• Medical Devices
• Implantable devices
• Digital Health
• Biopharmaceuticals, Biosimilars
• Cell & Gene Therapeutics
• Tissue Engineered Medicines
• Cell-based Medicines
• Combined ATMPs
• Integrated Drug Delivery Devices
• AI Integrated solutions

The service is directed to EIC pathfinder, EIC transition and EIC accelerator innovators in all TRL levels, henceforth beneficial to EIC beneficiaries in the research stage, spinout/startup, and scale-up.

The Significance of Internationalisation Services

Companies in the healthcare sector are facing a solid push towards internationalisation in order to recover their investment and increase turnover as they operate in a particular niche market sector with a very limited domestic market.

At the same time, the companies are faced with forces constraining operations, as the industry involving implementation of medical research to improve health care and quality of life distinguishes itself from other high-technology sectors in that it has precise requirements when it comes to standardisation, quality management and regulatory compliance.

Emerging, breakthrough, and deep health technologies have a competitive edge much needed in accessing the health market, yet they may need more design aspects for overseas adaptation.

Concurrently, healthcare is inherently local with culture and nation-specific requirements to meet the safety design of the technology. Moreover, the purchasing decisions involve the need to understand how reimbursement works within the healthcare ecosystem.

inXso’s internationalisation services for EIC beneficiaries are tailored to address these barriers and accelerate market access from the HealthTech, MedTech, BioMedTech and Biotech & Pharma sectors.

Assessment of the Asian, the US and the UAE Markets for the Healthcare Sector

Build capacity for agile internationalisation through co-creation and co-design via individual training and coaching tailored to the needs of biomedical technology, medical technology, biotech and pharma industry.

The assessment will map the development process, considering its current TRL level and the value chain, including customers, competitors, public authorities, and other stakeholders relevant to the innovation’s development, approval, adaptation, and implementation.

Key features:

• Market-specific trends and business opportunities.
• Assessment of technological, market, financial, and clinical feasibility aspects.
• Market-specific requirements for the development and market access stage.

Benefits for EIC beneficiaries in i) research stage, ii) spinout/startup, iii) scale-up:

• Accelerate the R&D process by ensuring that the product meets multinational customers’ needs, processes and environment.
• Gain an understanding of how to adapt the product for multinational markets and implement the adaptation agilely in healthcare units, biomedical facilities or clinical environments.
• Gain an understanding of where the innovation may have the most need, its safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness in its user environment that, in turn, will give a competitive edge and marketing advantage.

The aim is to accelerate the innovation development process from its current TRL to market, create an agile approach and provide expertise to build a value chain that fits the ecosystem.

The service is directed to EIC pathfinder, EIC transition and EIC accelerator innovators by dedicated in-house or external experts depending on the target market via online, offline or hybrid models.

International Business Design Focused on Asia, the US, and the UAE

Build capacity for agile market entry and expansion through co-creation and co-design via individual training and coaching tailored to the needs of biomedical technology, medical technology, biotech, and pharma industry.

Considering its current TRL level and value chain, the guidance will navigate through innovative business models, commercialisation, Go2Market, and reimbursement strategies.

Key features:

• Business model optimisation with review & analysis.
• Business strategy optimisation with review & analysis.
• Commercialisation strategy optimisation with review & analysis.
• Regulatory gap analysis and reimbursement strategy.
• Market entry strategy analysis.
• Growth hacking.
• Distribution channels with cost estimation analysis.
• Strategic partnerships & agreement negotiation.

Benefits for EIC beneficiaries in i) research stage, ii) spinout/startup, iii) scale-up:

• Ensure your local market fit: Align policies with the local legislation and business practices.
• Secure revenues and stay ahead of competitors: Incorporate a feasible reimbursement strategy according to the local legislation.
• Accelerate market entry: Understand how the local health ecosystem works and align the go2market strategies accordingly.
• Clinical evaluations: Prepare in advance in case they are required for market accession. Also, use them in assessing the pricing model.
• Product success: Ensure reimbursement strategies optimally meet the target market regulatory requirement.

The service is directed to EIC pathfinder, EIC transition, and EIC accelerator innovators by dedicated in-house or external experts depending on the target market via online, offline, or hybrid models.

R&D Support for International Commercialisation for Healthcare Sector

Build capacity for inherent safe-by-design, standardisation, quality, and regulatory assurance through co-creation and co-design via individual training and coaching tailored to the needs of biomedical technology, medical technology, biotech, and the pharma industry.

The guidance will navigate the framework for complex health and medical care technologies, especially borderline cases, customised and personalised solutions that are challenging due to regulatory barriers, considering its current TRL level and the value chain.

Key features:

• Design of Experiments (DoE) and Human Factors Engineering (HFE)
• Proof of Concept (PoC) and prototyping.
• Safe-by-Design, and cross-cultural and cross-national design.
• Standardisation, Risk Management and QARA.
• Verification and Validation.
• Clinical design.

Benefits for EIC beneficiaries in i) research stage, ii) spinout/startup, iii) scale-up:

• Demonstrate the viability by early end-user feedback and check the manufacturability, cost, acceptability, accessibility, and market relevance of the final design.
• Incorporate requirements of the intended or potential market areas in the research and development phase, avoid costly redesign phases, and increase user safety of the innovation by considering multicultural design features.
• Incorporate target market-specific design features and carry out clinical evaluations to ensure regulatory compliance.

The aim is to accelerate innovations for health and medical care with high quality that are ready for the regulatory approval process and user-safe.

The service is directed to EIC pathfinder, EIC transition, and EIC accelerator innovators by dedicated in-house or external experts depending on the target market via online, offline, or hybrid models.

What is the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support Programme?

The EIC Partners are selected under the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support programme.

Launched in 2021, this programme has the goal of expanding the EIC Business Acceleration Services by addressing two of the greatest challenges for its innovators: access to specialised sector-focused services and attracting private investors.

The EIC Partners address the first need by providing:

• Standalone services such as workshops, training and matchmaking on topics that aren’t covered by BAS.
• Highly specific, niche services, such as the usage of specific laboratory equipment or technological due-diligence, and even relocation services and IPO coaching.
• Integration into partner’s accelerations, incubation, or venture building programmes, according to the technology stage and specificities of the innovators’ project.

On the co-investment front, beneficiaries are supported and trained to make the most of their interactions with investors and matched with the most relevant ones, both through events and direct introductions.
For more information, please refer to the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and CoInvestment Support programme webpage.

About European Innovation Council

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has been established under Horizon Europe, with a budget of over €10 billion (2021-2027) to support game-changing innovations throughout their lifecycle, from early-stage research to market.

The EIC provides funding opportunities for companies in different stages of technological maturity through its instruments: EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator. These projects are selected through highly rigorous and competitive processes.

EIC Accelerator projects can receive up to €2.5M in grant funding, and are further eligible for up to €15M in direct equity investments from the EIC Fund. EIC innovators are also given access to the EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS), which include coaching, mentoring and opportunities with corporates, procurers and investors.

inXso is glad to share our new partnership goals with BrainStormCorner, founded as a business think tank with global roots, born right next to Tampere University campus. BrainStormCorner is a versatile toolbox of business services and research commercialization, based on long international and multidisciplinary experience.

“While Finnish, we are extremely multilingual.”

With our common goals, inXso and BrainStormCorner will strive forwards to provide valuable insights for co-innovative solutions and international business development through upcoming collaboration offerings.

What to look forward to?

Through the partnership, both inXso and BrainStormCorner can provide a unique and in-depth insight into the international development of technology companies. We provide a platform for Finnish and foreign companies and start-ups. We help you to take the right steps towards building your business in Finland, or to develop your offering and expand abroad.

Our clients benefit from our multidisciplinary understanding of different technologies, as we speak both business and technology. We have long-standing international business insight in East Asia and Europe, which allows our clients to overcome barriers to market entry, identify business opportunities and provide practical solutions tailored to their needs.

Outstanding services currently available:

Companies and startups receive support for ideation, facilitation, engagement, project planning and hands-on experience for:

• Proof of Concept | ERC 
• EIC Accelerator 
• Horizon Europe 

For very early stage entrepreneurs:

This support system is available for very early stage entrepreneurs in Tampere region. There are no restrictions for the company’s field of activity. Tailored, intensive and valuable business development packages are available for those individuals who send an application and are accepted into the program: Pirkanmaan Yrittäjyysbuusti, Pirkanmaa Entrepreneurial Boost – BrainStormCorner 

Learn more at BrainStormCorner

About inXso

Born internationally, we are helping innovators open up new lines of research and technology that are disrupting existing healthcare ecosystems.

inXso provides services in the healthcare sector with three focus areas:

• Co-innovation & development
• International business development
• Innovation procurement support

What are we Discussing?

In our series focusing on Health Tech in the Chinese market, inXso is organizing an interactive webinar, “What are the Key Points of Chinese Health Tech Initiatives—Join Discussion on May 29th,” together with Tampere HealthHUB.

The webinar will briefly discuss some of the key points and unique aspects of Chinese Health Tech initiatives and their implementation.

We will examine the concept of “Big Data” and its role in Health Tech development, market research, and marketing from a Chinese point of view. We will also provide an overview of the regulatory and IP landscape in China that European Health Tech companies should be aware of before entering the Chinese markets.

As a hierarchical society, China has its own perspectives on the R&D management structure that will influence decision-making and communication. We will see the advantages and disadvantages that this might bring to collaboration with Western companies.

We have created a Health Tech China Focus channel that will allow all participants to engage in the discussion.

We wish to make this an interactive discussion rather than just an informative webinar so participants may share their comments and questions in the chat room.

Welcome to join us!