As part of the EPIC-X initiative, Irimia & Partners will contribute as a coaching partner, providing strategic intellectual property guidance to women-led deep tech startups across the European innovation ecosystem.

EPIC-X is a European acceleration initiative funded under the Horizon Europe European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen and connect innovation ecosystems across Europe while supporting female-led deep tech ventures originating from countries classified as “moderate” and “emerging” innovators. Through this programme, 20 selected startups will benefit from a structured acceleration programme and a total allocation of €1.2 million in financial support.

As a firm specialised in intellectual property, innovation protection, and strategic advisory services, Irimia & Partners recognizes the critical importance of well-structured intellectual property strategies in enabling technology-driven companies to scale sustainably and compete internationally. Participation in EPIC-X reflects the firm’s continued commitment to supporting innovation ecosystems that are both inclusive and globally competitive.

Supporting Women-Led Deep Tech Startups Across Europe

Deep tech startups operate at the intersection of advanced science, engineering, and technological innovation. While these ventures possess significant transformative potential, they often face complex legal, commercial, and strategic challenges during the early stages of growth. These challenges can become even more pronounced in regions where innovation ecosystems remain underdeveloped or insufficiently interconnected.

EPIC-X seeks to address these structural disparities by fostering stronger regional cooperation and by expanding access to expertise, mentorship, investment opportunities, and acceleration resources. The programme focuses specifically on startups led by women founders in sixteen European countries identified as moderate or emerging innovators, thereby contributing to a more balanced and inclusive European innovation landscape.

The selected startups will participate in a six-month acceleration programme structured around tailored development roadmaps, operational support sessions, mentoring activities, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and investor engagement initiatives. Each participating company will also receive grant funding of €60,000 to support its growth trajectory and market readiness.

Photo credit: EPIC-X

The Strategic Role of Intellectual Property in Deep Tech Growth

For deep tech ventures, intellectual property is frequently among the most valuable strategic assets. Patent portfolios, trademarks, industrial designs, trade secrets, and technology transfer mechanisms play a decisive role in attracting investment, securing market differentiation, and enabling international expansion.

In the context of the EPIC-X initiative, Irimia & Partners will contribute as a coach by sharing practical expertise related to intellectual property strategy, innovation protection, and the legal dimensions of technology commercialization. The firm’s involvement aims to help participating startups better understand how intellectual property can support long-term scalability, investment readiness, and sustainable competitive advantage.

In highly innovative sectors, effective IP management is not merely a legal necessity; it is a core business instrument capable of strengthening valuation, facilitating partnerships, and protecting technological breakthroughs in increasingly competitive global markets.

Strengthening European Innovation Ecosystems

Beyond supporting individual startups, EPIC-X also seeks to reinforce collaboration between innovation ecosystems throughout Europe. The programme encourages stronger interregional connectivity among innovators, ecosystem builders, investors, mentors, and institutional stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on territories that have historically been less represented within the broader European innovation landscape.

This objective aligns closely with the broader European ambition of fostering a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced economy capable of competing at a global level while maintaining inclusive growth principles.

By participating in EPIC-X, Irimia & Partners contributes not only to the development of individual ventures, but also to the strengthening of a wider European framework that values innovation, diversity, and knowledge-based economic growth.

A Shared Commitment to Inclusive Innovation

Irimia & Partners’ engagement in the EPIC-X initiative reflects the firm’s ongoing dedication to supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, and technology-driven businesses through specialised intellectual property expertise and strategic legal guidance.

Women-led deep tech startups represent an essential component of Europe’s future innovation capacity. Initiatives such as EPIC-X demonstrate the importance of creating structured opportunities that enable these companies to access funding, expertise, networks, and cross-border collaboration mechanisms necessary for sustainable growth.

Irimia & Partners is honoured to contribute to this European initiative and to support founders working to develop impactful technologies capable of shaping the future of innovation across Europe.

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