Return of the ECCC Access-2-Finance and Access-2-Market matchmaking events: this time in Rennes, on 21 November

The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), in collaboration with the French National Coordination Centre (NCC-FR), is set to launch two new matchmaking events during the European Cyber Week on 21 November in Rennes: Access-2-Finance and Access-2-Market. These events aim to elevate European cybersecurity startups and scale-ups by connecting them with potential investors, buyers and industry leaders. The primary goal of the ECCC with this event-series is to boost investment in European cybersecurity start-ups and enable access of unique European cybersecurity solutions to the market. Ultimately, strengthening Europe’s resilience and market as a whole. 

As part of the ECCC’s ongoing efforts to build a strong European cybersecurity community and strengthen the European cybersecurity market, this new initiative, powered by the European Cybersecurity COmmunity (ECCO) project and co-organised by valued partners the French National Coordination Centre (NCC-FR), the Women4Cyber Foundation, Sopra Steria, Pole d’Excellence Cyber, Région Bretagne, and Klecha & Co., aims to address the difficulties that European cybersecurity start-ups encounter in trying to find investors, and the difficulties that cybersecurity solution providers face with accessing the market. By bringing market players together in the same venue, the Access-2-Finance and Access-2-Market events serve to grant European cybersecurity start-ups and large-scale companies the much-needed opportunities to meet potential business partners in a safe setting without unnecessary obstacles. 

ECCC Access-2-Finance Matchmaking Event 

On 21 November, in the first half of the day, the Access-2-Finance event will spotlight European cybersecurity start-ups and provide them with a unique opportunity to present their pitches in front of an audience of potential investors, cybersecurity enthusiasts, and a Judging Panel composed of experts in cybersecurity, investments and entrepreneurship. The Judges will deliberate on the pitches and select two start-ups with the most compelling pitches to be selected as nominees for the prestigious final competition, the ECSO STARtup Award, scheduled to take place in early 2024 in Germany.  

Besides the competition, the event will feature keynote speeches delving into the topic of “defence” in today’s digital age, which is more topical for European cybersecurity than ever before, and complements the presence of the French Ministry of Defence at the European Cyber Week. 

ECCC Access-2-Market Matchmaking Event 

In the second half of the day, the ECCC’s Access-2-Market event will empower European cybersecurity scale-ups and larger companies to take the stage and pitch their solutions within the frame of “critical infrastructure” to an audience that includes peers, industry leaders, and potential buyers. A Judging Panel, comprised of European Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), will carefully assess the pitches, selecting the two companies with the most promising solutions to compete in the final competition, the ECSO CISO Choice Award, also planned for early 2024 in Germany. 

Similarly to Access-2-Finance, Access-2-Market will host enlightening keynote speeches from industry experts, promising valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the realm of cybersecurity, particularly concerning critical infrastructure. 

Application procedures and attendance 

Start-ups, scale-ups and larger companies across Europe are invited to apply for these events, and those selected will gain access to numerous valuable opportunities, from networking with industry leaders to showcasing their businesses and solutions and competing for prestigious awards. The ECCC's matchmaking events are a stepping stone towards taking European cybersecurity start-ups and scale-ups to the next level. 

Access-2-Finance: Start-ups and SMEs seeking financial opportunities are invited to explore further details on the event and its application procedure through the event page HERE.  

Access-2-Market: Scale-ups and larger European cybersecurity companies interested in expanding into the European market are encouraged to discover more about the event and its application process via the event page HERE.  

All registered participants of the European Cyber Week are welcome to attend and engage with the presentations and speeches at both events. For registration to the European Cyber Week, please visit their website HERE. 

The ECCC is confident that the matchmaking events at the European Cyber Week in Rennes will serve as a pivotal moment for startups and scale-ups in the European industry. Additionally, they also provide unique opportunities for networking, learning, and showcasing innovative solutions that can contribute to Europe's cybersecurity resilience and market as a whole.