Are you a startup, researcher, or innovator in the bioeconomy looking to gain visibility, receive expert feedback, and connect with key stakeholders?
Five National BIOEAST HUBs (Bulgaria, Estonia, Czechia, Slovenia and Hungary) are organising pitching and networking events in 2026 offering start-ups and innovators in the bioeconomy from the BIOEAST macro-region the chance to present their solutions to a panel of exclusive innovation experts and investors, as well as to a broader audience of ecosystem stakeholders.
Join us in boosting the bioeconomy in the BIOEAST macro-region!
How does it work?
The pitching sessions are designed to support participants in refining their value proposition, strengthening their business case and increasing their visibility within the European bioeconomy community.
Participants will deliver a short pitch followed by a moderated Q&A session and feedback from the expert panel. The event will conclude with a networking session, providing opportunities to connect with peers, experts and potential partners.
Why participate?
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:
- Present their solution to investors and innovation experts
- Receive structured feedback to improve their business case and pitch
- Engage with like-minded professionals, researchers and organisations
- Increase visibility within the BIOEAST and wider EU innovation ecosystem
- Expand their personal network – connect with potential partners, collaborators, and stakeholders
- Explore potential funding and collaboration opportunities
Criteria for entry
The solution must be relevant to one of the BIOEAST thematic areas: Agroecology and sustainable yields / Biobased materials / Bioenergy & new value-added materials / Bioeconomy education / Food systems / Forest value chain / Freshwater-based bioeconomy.
Applicants may include students, researchers, startups, SMEs, scale-ups or corporates.
- The solution should demonstrate a clear value proposition and development ambition
- Applicants should be able to present their idea clearly within a short pitch format
Please note that eight Open Innovating Challenge Winners will directly qualify for the pitching events.
Dedicated preparatory online sessions will be organised, where IBF will provide feedback and advise to improve a “dry run” presentation delivered by the selected pitching companies/start-ups/researchers before their respective events take place.
Who can apply
Nationals and residents of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia with a bioeconomy related solution are welcome to join the BIOEAST pitching events.
In terms of geographical locations the hosting countries are Bulgaria, Estonia, Czechia, Slovenia and Hungary. The location of the events will be confirmed by the BIOEAST HUBs.
The other participating Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. These countries will be partnered for travel logistics with National Hubs as follows:
Hosting country: Estonia. Participating country: Lithuania and Latvia.
Hosting country: Czechia. Participating country: Poland.
Hosting country: Hungary. Participating country: Slovakia.
Hosting country: Bulgaria. Participating country: Romania.
Hosting country: Slovenia. Participating country: Croatia.
Prizes
Win the chance to pitch at the Pitch Perfect Matchmaking and Networking Event in 2026
Winners of the local Boost4BioEast pitching events will be eligible for a free ticket to attend the impactful Pitch Perfect Matchmaking and Networking Event in 2026 that will be held at the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel on November 30 and December 1 on subject to entry rules and procedures of Pitch Perfect 2026. The winners will be selected by Boost4BioEast partner, Irish Bioeconomy Foundation. Please note the five pitching event winners will need to apply to the Pitch Perfect event via the event website and depending on if they will be admitted as pitchers or as attendees, will be offered by Boost4BioEast. Travel and subsistence costs will be up to the individual pitching event winners to cover their own funds, while the ticket will be covered by IBF.
Registration for Pitch Perfect 2026 will open on June 1st, 2026 and close on November 23th, 2026 for pitchers. Please note that winners will only be offered a free ticket provided they inform IBF of having applied for said event by November 25, 2026. Boost4BioEast will only provide the code for free registration if they have IBF updated with their application process and procedure. Please note that IBF reserves the right to ask for a refund and compensation of loss in the event of registration done using Boost4BioEast free ticket if the start-up/company does not end up attending the event as the event organisers charge for a no-show.
The ‘Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy’ event is a two-day event of intense cross-border and cross-sectoral pitching, matchmaking and networking, with the aim to link industry to innovative (biobased) technologies, innovators to investors and to create new partnerships for the future and the further development of innovative, cross-border and cross-sectoral industrial value chains in the biobased economy. The event is now considered by some the main visibility event in Europe for start-ups seeking to attract attention from investors and corporate, within the European Bioeconomy. Boost4BioEast is proud to be in the position to support 5 start-ups in preparing for this event and covering their ticket registration costs.
