Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project: Empowering Startups for Horizon Europe Funding Proposal

I. Title Page 

1. Project Title 

Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project: Empowering Startups for Horizon Europe Funding 

2. Abstract (up to 200 words. It should help the reader to catch all the important points and the message of proposal) 

Neftaly, through the Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project, aims to empower emerging deep-tech startups to access Horizon Europe funding opportunities by providing tailored capacity-building, mentorship, and proposal development support. The project aligns with the goals of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) and the Scientific and Innovation Partnership Assistance Center (SIPAC) acceleration program by focusing on strengthening the participation of startups in Armenia and across partner regions in Horizon Europe 2025–2026 calls. 

Neftaly will facilitate targeted training sessions, one-on-one proposal writing mentorship, and partner identification workshops to help startups navigate the complex EU funding landscape. The initiative emphasizes practical support in call matching, proposal preparation, consortium building, and submission assistance, ensuring that startups can compete effectively for European innovation grants. 

By fostering collaboration between scientific researchers, entrepreneurs, and EU networks, the project will contribute to building a stronger, innovation-driven ecosystem that advances deep-tech solutions in fields such as AI, clean energy, advanced materials, and life sciences. Ultimately, Neftaly seeks to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and market application, driving sustainable growth and technological competitiveness across the region. 

3. Keywords – please provide at least 5 keywords directly related to the problem, solution, and research  

• Research Commercialization 

• EU Partnerships 

• Technology Transfer 

• Proposal Development 

• Scientific Entrepreneurship 

• Innovation Ecosystem 

• Capacity Building 

4. Team Leader 

• Neftaly Malatjie 

• CEO 

• Neftaly 

• Contact details: neftay.malatjie@gmail.com \ 084 313 7407 

• Links of profiles – https://www.linkedin.com/in/neftaly-malatjie/ 

5. Background information on the team (number of members, seniority, specialization /expertise), how team capability covers the needs of the project, equipment capabilities available (e.g., analytical instruments, prototyping/manufacturing facilities, computing infrastructure, etc.)  

The Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project is implemented by a multidisciplinary team of 12 members combining expertise in research commercialization, grant writing, technology development, and EU project management. 

The team is structured as follows: 

• 3 Senior Project Managers – with over 10 years of experience in international development, Horizon Europe proposal coordination, and innovation funding. 

• 4 Technical and Research Specialists – experts in artificial intelligence, clean technologies, advanced materials, and life sciences, responsible for evaluating startup concepts and aligning them with EU funding priorities. 

• 2 Financial and Compliance Officers – overseeing budgeting, cost justification, and adherence to Horizon Europe administrative and reporting standards. 

• 2 Innovation Mentors – skilled in startup acceleration, partner identification, and ecosystem engagement across Europe and Africa. 

• 1 Communications and Outreach Coordinator – managing stakeholder relations, dissemination, and knowledge-sharing activities. 

Neftaly’s in-house infrastructure includes: 

• High-performance computing and digital collaboration systems for proposal drafting, data processing, and communication with partners. 

• Prototyping and digital fabrication facilities for concept validation and early-stage product testing. 

• Analytical tools and project management software for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. 

II. Table of contents: 

1. Introduction 

1. Problem/Opportunity statement – What problem are you trying to solve.  

Despite the rapid growth of deep-tech innovation in emerging markets, many promising startups lack the capacity, knowledge, and resources to successfully access Horizon Europe funding opportunities. The complexity of EU grant frameworks, limited experience in proposal development, and lack of international partnerships often prevent these startups from participating in large-scale innovation programs. 

This gap results in underrepresentation of developing-region innovators in EU research and innovation consortia, slowing down technology transfer, commercialization, and the creation of sustainable, science-based enterprises. 

The opportunity lies in building a structured, accessible, and mentorship-driven pathway that equips deep-tech startups with the skills, partnerships, and strategic guidance necessary to compete effectively at the European level. 

Through the Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project, this challenge is addressed by offering tailored acceleration support—covering call matching, proposal writing, partner identification, and submission assistance—at no upfront cost to participants. 

By bridging this knowledge and access gap, Neftaly aims to increase the number of competitive deep-tech applications from emerging regions, foster cross-border collaboration, and strengthen the overall innovation ecosystem aligned with Horizon Europe priorities. 

2. Background or literature review – up two pages about what research has been done so far to address the problem. Review and analyze the literature revealing the directions and limitations of the current state of the art. Also, cite your previous works addressing this problem (if any). 

1. Participation barriers and administrative complexity 
Multiple EU guidance documents and analyses identify administrative complexity, eligibility rules and consortium requirements as major obstacles for non-EU and peripheral organisations seeking Horizon Europe participation. Non-European entities can participate but often face constrained funding eligibility and complicated compliance regimes; National Contact Points (NCPs) and EU guidance exist to help applicants, but practical matchmaking and administrative support remain uneven in reach and quality. These structural issues reduce the ability of under-resourced deep-tech teams to assemble credible, multi-partner proposals.  

2. Technical capacity, managerial skills and proposal know-how 
Empirical literature and EU evaluations point to skills gaps—technical, managerial and grant-administration competencies—that lower the competitiveness of proposals from startups and small innovators. Short, intensive, tailored pre-award capacity building (call matching, proposal drafting, budget design, compliance checks) is repeatedly recommended as a high-value intervention to increase application quality and submission success. However, standard “one-size-fits-all” trainings often underperform unless matched to technology readiness level (TRL) and sectoral needs.  

3. Effectiveness and limits of accelerators and incubators 
A growing meta-analytic literature finds overall positive impacts from accelerator participation on startup outcomes (fundraising, growth metrics), but effects are heterogeneous and highly dependent on program design, mentor quality, sector alignment and follow-on supports. Studies emphasise that accelerators focused on deep-tech require domain-specific mentoring, infrastructural access (labs, pilot lines, HPC), and tailored investor engagement to deliver durable impact—generic accelerator models are insufficient for capital-intensive deep-tech ventures.  

4. The “missing middle” and patient capital challenge 
Deep-tech ventures frequently confront a financing gap between early grant/seed rounds and later commercial-scale financing (the so-called “missing middle”). This gap is particularly acute for hardware-intensive and green-tech startups whose scaling requires demonstrators, pilot manufacturing and patient capital. Literature and policy papers call for blended finance approaches, DFI engagement, and targeted public instruments that combine grants with concessional or catalytic capital to bridge this stage. Public grants alone (e.g., Horizon or EIC awards) can de-risk technology but do not always translate into sustainable scale-up without complementary financing pathways.  

5. Consortium formation, networks and EU integration 
Evidence stresses that successful Horizon applications often rest on pre-existing networks and credible partners across multiple Member States. Facilitated matchmaking, brokered introductions to EU research centres and SMEs, and active consortium-building supports materially increase proposal quality. However, matchmaking mechanisms currently in place tend to favour established EU actors; organisations in peripheral or non-associated countries remain under-represented unless dedicated outreach and facilitation are provided.  

6. Infrastructure and scale-up access 
Access to testing facilities, pilot plants, prototyping and high-performance computing (HPC) is a recurring determinant of proposal competitiveness: impact sections and demonstration plans are substantially strengthened when applicants can point to concrete infrastructure and scale-up pathways. While EU and national initiatives are expanding networks of demonstration facilities, access is uneven—especially for startups located outside major clusters—weakening many applications’ feasibility claims.  

7. Directions in policy & good practice emerging from the literature 
The convergent recommendations are: (a) targeted, TRL-aware pre-award coaching that includes hands-on proposal drafting and budget formulation; (b) proactive consortium brokerage tailored to under-served regions; (c) integration of infrastructure access (labs, pilots, HPC) into project design; and (d) explicit linkage to blended financing or investor outreach to close the missing-middle gap. Several recent EU work programmes and guidance documents reflect these emphases, notably in the design of EIC and SME-focused measures.  

8. Limitations and research gaps 
Despite clear recommendations, the literature documents persistent limitations: (i) many capacity-building initiatives lack rigorous impact evaluation (control groups, long-term follow-up) so attribution of grant success to specific interventions is weak; (ii) matchmaking platforms are often passive (listing partners) rather than proactive brokerage with trust-building and legal/administrative onboarding; (iii) financing solutions remain fragmented between grant and equity markets, leaving the missing middle inadequately served; and (iv) geographic inequities persist, with under-representation of innovators from peripheral and non-associated countries. These limitations suggest that program design must combine immediate pre-award support with medium-term infrastructure and financing pathways to be effective.  

9. Neftaly’s prior contributions and complementarity with evidence-based practice 
Neftaly has a sustained track record of targeted bid and proposal capacity building (multiple Neftaly training courses on bid preparation, proposal writing, tender submission, technical support and  proposal coaching). These prior activities reflect the literature’s emphasis on hands-on, problem-centred training and administrative submission support. Building on that experience, the Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project deliberately integrates: (a) TRL-aware coaching and one-to-one proposal mentorship; (b) active partner brokerage and use of NCP pathways; (c) facilitated access to prototyping and computational resources; and (d) linkage to investor outreach and blended finance advisors—thereby addressing key gaps identified in the literature. (Neftaly internal program records and previous course portfolios document these activities.) 

10. Synthesis and implications for project design 
The literature indicates that improving deep-tech participation in Horizon Europe requires multi-pronged interventions: tailored pre-award support, proactive consortium brokerage, demonstrable access to infrastructure, and follow-on finance pathways. The Neftaly project operationalises these evidence-based directions and explicitly targets under-served regions, combining short-term wins (better proposals, compliant submissions) with medium-term capacity building (infrastructure linkages, investor introductions) to maximise prospects for Horizon Europe success. 

3. Project objectives – Specifically, this Project aims at i) … ii) … 

• Empowering Deep-Tech Startups — To strengthen the capacity of emerging deep-tech startups to successfully access and secure Horizon Europe funding through targeted training, mentorship, and proposal development support. 

• Building Proposal Development Competence — To enhance startups’ skills in call matching, proposal writing, budgeting, compliance, and submission, ensuring high-quality applications that meet Horizon Europe standards. 

• Facilitating International Collaboration — To connect Armenian and regional deep-tech startups with European research institutions, industry partners, and consortia, promoting active participation in EU-funded innovation ecosystems. 

• Strengthening Innovation Infrastructure — To provide access to essential tools, analytical instruments, prototyping facilities, and computing infrastructure for concept validation, data processing, and pilot development. 

• Enhancing Market and Commercial Readiness — To support participating startups in translating scientific research into market-ready solutions, improving their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and investment attractiveness. 

• Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Innovation — To ensure that innovations developed through the program contribute to societal and environmental goals, addressing challenges in areas such as AI, clean energy, health, advanced manufacturing, and digital security. 

• Increasing Regional Representation in Horizon Europe — To boost the participation and visibility of deep-tech innovators from Armenia and partner regions in EU research and innovation frameworks, addressing geographic and capability disparities. 

• Establishing Long-Term Support Mechanisms — To create a sustainable acceleration and mentoring model that continues to support deep-tech startups beyond the project’s duration, fostering ongoing collaboration and innovation growth. 

4. Expected outcome – What are the expected results, and how do they help understand the challenge at hand and solve it Here you can also add subsections about the commercialization potential and scalability of the proposed solution and the future opportunities. 

1. Enhanced Startup Capabilities 

• Startups will acquire practical skills in proposal writing, budgeting, compliance, and project management, directly increasing the quality and competitiveness of their Horizon Europe applications. 

• Teams will gain knowledge in consortium building, partner identification, and EU innovation procedures, reducing barriers related to administrative complexity and lack of networks. 

• Outcome metrics: number of completed proposals, mentorship sessions conducted, and quality improvement in submitted applications. 

2. Strengthened Partnerships and EU Integration 

• Deep-tech startups will establish connections with EU research institutions, industry partners, and innovation clusters, fostering long-term collaboration opportunities. 

• Startups will be integrated into ongoing consortia-building efforts, improving their chances of being included in funded projects. 

• Outcome metrics: number of new partnerships formed, consortium memberships secured, and collaborative projects initiated. 

3. Access to Innovation Infrastructure 

• Participating startups will gain access to prototyping, testing, and high-performance computing resources, enabling validation of technological concepts. 

• Startups will be able to generate proof-of-concept results that strengthen the credibility of their funding applications. 

• Outcome metrics: number of prototypes developed, technologies validated, and successful project demonstrations. 

4. Commercialization Potential and Scalability 

• Technologies developed by participating startups will be market-ready or closer to commercialization, with business plans and impact strategies aligned to EU funding expectations. 

• By supporting multiple startups across different deep-tech sectors, the program fosters scalable solutions that can be replicated or adapted to other regions or industries. 

• Outcome metrics: follow-on funding secured, technology adoption rates, and market-ready products launched. 

5. Future Opportunities and Ecosystem Growth 

• Strengthened capabilities and networks create long-term opportunities for startup growth, EU collaboration, and innovation-driven economic development. 

• The project contributes to a more inclusive and competitive European innovation ecosystem by integrating startups from under-served regions. 

• Outcome metrics: ongoing collaboration after program completion, sustained mentorship engagement, and increased representation of emerging-region startups in Horizon Europe calls. 

Summary: 
By combining capacity-building, mentorship, partnership development, and access to infrastructure, the project directly addresses the barriers limiting deep-tech startups’ participation in Horizon Europe. Expected outcomes include improved proposal quality, enhanced collaboration networks, validated technologies, and market-ready innovations, which together create sustainable pathways from scientific research to commercialization and EU funding success. 

2. Proposed Solution – Up to two pages of detailed description of your proposed solution. It is important to clearly demonstrate the novelty, benefits, and what makes your proposed solution outstanding and unique compared to the existing solutions or the other research groups’ works.  

The Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project proposes a comprehensive, end-to-end acceleration program tailored for deep-tech startups from under-served regions to access Horizon Europe funding opportunities. Unlike existing programs that focus narrowly on training or matchmaking, Neftaly integrates capacity-building, technical mentorship, consortium facilitation, and infrastructure access into a single, holistic solution. This multi-dimensional approach addresses the persistent barriers that prevent deep-tech startups from participating in high-impact EU research and innovation projects. 

1. Tailored Capacity-Building and Mentorship 

Challenge addressed: Many startups fail to compete for Horizon Europe grants due to limited proposal-writing experience, lack of understanding of EU funding rules, and weak project management capabilities. 

Our solution: 

• Neftaly provides hands-on, sector-specific workshops covering proposal structuring, budgeting, compliance, and impact articulation. 

• One-on-one mentorship with experienced EU project managers and sector experts ensures tailored guidance based on each startup’s technology readiness level (TRL) and innovation stage. 

• Continuous feedback loops allow startups to refine their proposals iteratively, increasing their likelihood of success. 

Novelty: Most existing accelerators focus on generic skill-building. Neftaly’s mentorship is directly aligned with active Horizon Europe calls, ensuring relevance and immediate applicability. 

2. Strategic Partnership and Consortium Facilitation 

Challenge addressed: Under-represented startups struggle to form partnerships with EU consortia due to limited visibility and networking opportunities. 

Our solution: 

• Neftaly actively connects startups with EU research institutions, industry partners, and innovation clusters relevant to their technological domain. 

• Startups gain access to virtual and in-person consortium-building events and advisory support for partner selection, negotiation, and collaboration agreements. 

Benefits: Facilitated partnerships significantly improve proposal credibility and acceptance rates. By integrating consortium-building into the acceleration program, Neftaly ensures startups are not only proposal-ready but consortium-ready. 

Uniqueness: While matchmaking services exist, Neftaly uniquely combines matchmaking with practical proposal guidance, creating a synergy that has not been fully realized in prior programs. 

3. Access to Innovation Infrastructure 

Challenge addressed: Demonstrating technology viability requires prototyping, testing, and high-performance computing, which many startups cannot access independently. 

Our solution: 

• Neftaly provides access to prototyping labs, pilot facilities, and HPC resources for early-stage proof-of-concept and technology validation. 

• Startups can integrate real-world demonstration results into their proposals, strengthening both technical credibility and impact assessment. 

Novelty: By directly linking infrastructure access to proposal quality and funding outcomes, Neftaly ensures that startups can move from concept to demonstrable solution—a step that is often missing in conventional accelerator programs. 

4. Focus on Commercialization and Scale-Up 

Challenge addressed: Many grant-support programs end at proposal submission, leaving startups unprepared for commercialization. 

Our solution: 

• Neftaly supports startups in developing commercialization strategies alongside proposal development. 

• Business model refinement, market analysis, and impact forecasting are integrated into mentorship sessions. 

• Startups are prepared to attract follow-on funding, scale technologies, and pursue long-term market entry. 

Benefit: This dual focus—grant success and market readiness—ensures startups generate tangible societal and economic impact beyond the funding period. 

Uniqueness: Few programs integrate commercialization planning with EU funding preparation in a structured and measurable way. Neftaly bridges this gap. 

5. Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Long-Term Impact 

• The program targets startups from under-served and emerging regions, increasing geographic equity in Horizon Europe participation. 

• Neftaly establishes a long-term mentorship network, ensuring ongoing guidance, ecosystem engagement, and access to follow-on opportunities. 

• By fostering a pipeline of well-prepared, consortium-ready deep-tech startups, Neftaly contributes to a more diverse, resilient, and competitive European innovation ecosystem. 

6. Summary of Novelty and Advantages 

Feature	Existing Programs	Neftaly Solution	Unique Benefit
Proposal Support	Generic training	Tailored workshops + one-on-one mentorship	Alignment with specific Horizon Europe calls, iterative refinement
Consortium Building	Optional networking	Structured matchmaking + consortium guidance	Ensures startups are consortium-ready, not just proposal-ready
Infrastructure Access	Rare or indirect	Direct access to prototyping, testing, HPC	Strengthens proposal impact & feasibility demonstration
Commercialization Focus	Limited	Integrated business model + market strategy	Prepares startups for funding and market entry
Targeting Under-Served Regions	Often EU-centric	Focused on peripheral/emerging regions	Increases geographic and demographic inclusivity

Conclusion: 
Neftaly’s solution is holistic, tailored, and outcome-oriented, combining mentorship, partnership building, infrastructure access, and commercialization support in a single program. This integrated approach directly addresses the persistent barriers identified in the literature and practice, producing higher-quality, more competitive Horizon Europe proposals, stronger startups, and measurable ecosystem impact. 

2.1 Experimental Design and Methods – Details of the experiments you are planning to do. Write about the design of your proposed experiments, preparations, and measurements. 

Experimental Design and Methods – Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project 

The Neftaly project applies an intervention-based experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored support in increasing the competitiveness of deep-tech startups for Horizon Europe funding. The “experiments” consist of structured activities, mentorship programs, and technical support interventions designed to produce measurable outcomes. 

1. Experimental Design 

Objective: To test whether tailored, multi-dimensional support improves startup capabilities, proposal quality, and participation in Horizon Europe consortia. 

Design: 

• Target Group: 20–30 deep-tech startups selected through a competitive application process. 

• Experimental Intervention: Each startup will receive a suite of support services, including workshops, mentorship, consortium-building guidance, and infrastructure access. 

• Control/Comparison (where feasible): Baseline data on startup proposal preparation, funding knowledge, and network engagement will be collected before the program. Improvements after intervention will be measured against these baselines to assess impact. 

Key Hypothesis: Startups receiving integrated support will demonstrate measurable improvements in proposal quality, consortium integration, technical validation, and readiness for commercialization compared to baseline performance. 

2. Preparations 

1. Needs Assessment: 

1. Collect startup profiles, technological domains, TRL levels, and funding experience. 

2. Conduct surveys and interviews to identify gaps in proposal writing, technical validation, and partnership networks. 

2. Curriculum and Mentorship Planning: 

1. Design tailored workshops for proposal development, budgeting, compliance, and impact assessment. 

2. Assign mentors based on sector expertise (AI, clean energy, life sciences, advanced materials, robotics, etc.). 

3. Prepare resources, templates, and case studies aligned to Horizon Europe 2025–2026 calls. 

3. Infrastructure Access Preparation: 

1. Reserve prototyping, testing, and high-performance computing resources. 

2. Prepare measurement tools, project tracking systems, and collaborative platforms for documenting technology validation and proposal development progress. 

3. Methods and Measurements 

A. Proposal Development and Mentorship 

• Method: 

• Conduct workshops (online or in-person) with structured exercises. 

• One-on-one mentoring sessions for each startup, including iterative review of draft proposals. 

• Measurements: 

• Proposal quality scores using a standardized rubric based on Horizon Europe evaluation criteria (excellence, impact, implementation). 

• Number of proposals submitted successfully. 

• Improvement in self-assessed confidence in proposal writing and grant navigation. 

B. Consortium-Building and Partner Engagement 

• Method: 

• Facilitate matchmaking events, EU network introductions, and guided partner selection. 

• Simulate consortium formation exercises for proposal planning. 

• Measurements: 

• Number of partnerships formed with EU institutions or industry partners. 

• Inclusion in consortium applications. 

• Feedback from startups and partners on collaboration effectiveness. 

C. Technology Validation and Infrastructure Access 

• Method: 

• Startups use prototyping labs, pilot plants, or HPC facilities to develop proof-of-concept experiments. 

• Mentors provide technical guidance to optimize validation experiments and documentation. 

• Measurements: 

• Number of validated prototypes or demonstrators completed. 

• Improvement in technology readiness level (TRL). 

• Documentation of results integrated into proposal impact statements. 

D. Commercialization Readiness 

• Method: 

• Conduct business model workshops, market analysis exercises, and commercialization strategy sessions. 

• Measurements: 

• Number of startups with refined business models and commercialization plans. 

• Follow-on funding interest or commitments secured. 

• Startups’ ability to articulate market impact in proposals. 

4. Data Collection and Analysis 

• Quantitative Metrics: Proposal quality scores, number of partnerships formed, TRL improvement, number of proposals submitted, and follow-on funding commitments. 

• Qualitative Metrics: Participant feedback, mentor assessments, case studies of technology development, and lessons learned for process improvement. 

• Analysis: Compare pre- and post-intervention metrics to assess effectiveness; identify correlations between mentorship intensity, consortium participation, and proposal quality. 

5. Expected Methodological Impact 

This experimental design allows Neftaly to systematically evaluate which interventions most effectively improve startup success in Horizon Europe applications. By measuring both technical and managerial outcomes, the project generates evidence on how capacity-building, infrastructure access, and consortium support jointly contribute to startup competitiveness, while also producing scalable models for similar programs in other emerging regions. 

2.3 Toxicological risks (if applicable). 

The Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project primarily supports startups through grant preparation, technical validation, and innovation acceleration rather than direct laboratory experimentation or large-scale production. However, given that participating startups may operate across a range of deep-tech sectors — including life sciences, nanotechnology, advanced materials, and clean technologies — it is important to address potential toxicological risks associated with their research and development activities. 

1. Applicability of Toxicological Risks 

While most program activities (training, mentorship, proposal support, and computational validation) are non-hazardous, certain participating startups may engage in prototype development or lab-scale testing involving materials or compounds with toxicological implications. These may include: 

• Nanomaterials (e.g., nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots) with unknown or potentially hazardous biological effects. 

• Biochemical or pharmaceutical innovations that require the handling of reagents, solvents, or biological samples. 

• Energy and clean-tech materials (e.g., lithium compounds, catalysts, polymer composites) that may present health or environmental hazards during testing or disposal. 

2. Risk Identification and Assessment 

Category	Potential Risk	Impact	Likelihood	Mitigation Strategy
Nanomaterials	Inhalation or dermal exposure to nanoparticles	Medium	Low–Medium	Enforce lab safety standards, fume hoods, PPE use, and waste management protocols.
Chemical Reagents	Toxic or volatile substances used in prototyping	Medium–High	Medium	Only validated facilities with chemical safety infrastructure permitted; use of certified labs required.
Biological Agents	Handling biological samples or biosynthetic materials	Low–Medium	Low	Require compliance with local biosafety level standards (BSL-1/2); proper training mandatory.
Energy Materials	Flammable or reactive compounds (e.g., lithium, hydrogen)	Medium	Low	Ensure chemical storage safety, emergency procedures, and certified lab oversight.
Waste Disposal	Improper handling of hazardous or chemical waste	High	Low–Medium	Strict compliance with environmental and institutional disposal regulations.

3. Risk Mitigation and Compliance Measures 

1. Pre-screening of Startup Activities 

1. All participating startups will undergo an initial risk assessment to identify whether their research involves toxic substances or materials. 

2. Startups without adequate facilities or safety procedures will be referred to partner laboratories equipped for safe handling and disposal. 

2. Adherence to Laboratory Safety Standards 

1. All experimental work must comply with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) where applicable. 

2. Laboratories must maintain appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals used. 

3. Training and Safety Orientation 

1. Mandatory Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) training sessions will be conducted for participating startups before lab access. 

2. Training includes safe material handling, spill response, waste segregation, and emergency protocols. 

4. Institutional and Legal Compliance 

1. All activities will adhere to EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations. 

2. Partner facilities must comply with national and EU-level biosafety and environmental safety laws. 

4. Degree of Confidence 

Given that Neftaly itself is not conducting direct experimental research but rather supporting and guiding startups that may do so, the overall toxicological risk to the program is low. Through strict compliance frameworks, risk pre-assessment, and safety partnerships with accredited laboratories, Neftaly maintains a high degree of confidence that all potential toxicological risks can be safely managed, minimized, or eliminated. 

3. IP coverage (if applicable). 

The Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project recognizes that intellectual property (IP) management is a critical component of successful participation in Horizon Europe and other innovation-driven funding programs. The project therefore establishes a comprehensive IP framework that protects the interests of participating startups while promoting collaboration, transparency, and scalability of innovation within EU and international standards. 

1. Overview of IP Relevance 

Deep-tech startups engaged in the program operate across high-innovation domains such as AI, biotechnology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and nanotechnology—fields in which IP creation and protection are fundamental for competitiveness and funding eligibility. The project provides structured guidance and expert mentorship to ensure that: 

• Founders understand IP protection mechanisms (patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and design rights). 

• Startups can demonstrate ownership and freedom-to-operate (FTO) in their Horizon Europe proposals. 

• Collaborative innovations emerging through partnerships or consortium-building are properly documented and protected under clear agreements. 

2. Neftaly’s IP Management Framework 

A. IP Awareness and Capacity Building 

• Specialized workshops and one-on-one advisory sessions will help startups understand IP rights in the EU and globally. 

• Topics include patentability assessment, prior art searches, IP strategy development, and open innovation considerations. 

• Startups will receive training in data management, licensing, and IP clauses within Horizon Europe consortium agreements. 

B. IP Pre-screening and Documentation 

• Each participating startup will undergo an IP readiness assessment, mapping existing patents, trademarks, copyrights, or pending filings. 

• Startups will be supported in developing a basic IP portfolio and documentation suitable for Horizon Europe proposals. 

• Confidentiality and ownership of all submitted documentation will be governed by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) between Neftaly and participants. 

C. Collaborative IP and Consortium Arrangements 

• When startups engage in joint applications or consortia, Neftaly will provide model Consortium Agreements and IP Ownership Frameworks aligned with Horizon Europe rules. 

• The principle of background IP (pre-existing IP) and foreground IP (newly created IP) will be clearly defined to prevent disputes. 

• Joint ownership models will follow the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA) structure. 

D. IP Protection and Commercialization Support 

• Startups will receive mentorship to identify protectable innovations and connect with national and EU patent offices (e.g., the European Patent Office – EPO). 

• Assistance will be offered in drafting patent applications, licensing agreements, and technology transfer strategies. 

• Startups will be encouraged to develop commercialization plans linking IP assets to market entry strategies, enhancing their competitiveness in funding applications. 

3. Neftaly’s Institutional IP Policy 

Neftaly operates under a strict IP non-ownership policy for this project. All IP generated or refined by participating startups remains fully owned by the originating entity. Neftaly’s role is advisory and facilitative, ensuring that startups strengthen their IP strategies without risk of disclosure or infringement. 

Confidentiality is safeguarded through: 

• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) signed with each participant. 

• Controlled access to startup data and technical documentation. 

• Secure digital storage and encrypted communication for proposal drafts and technical materials. 

4. Degree of Confidence and Risk Mitigation 

Risk	Description	Mitigation	Confidence Level
IP Overlap or Infringement	Potential conflicts with existing patents or technologies	Prior art searches, IP audits, and expert review	High
IP Leakage	Risk of disclosure during training or consortium activities	NDAs and access controls	High
Unclear Ownership in Joint Projects	Uncertain division of rights in collaborative proposals	Consortium agreements with defined background/foreground IP	High
Insufficient IP Protection Strategy	Startups lack legal expertise or funding for filings	Mentorship, partnerships with IP offices, and legal pro bono support	Medium–High

5. Summary 

The Neftaly Deep-Tech Innovation Access Project ensures that all participating startups have a robust IP management structure in place, protecting their innovations while facilitating participation in collaborative EU projects. This approach not only enhances proposal quality under the “Excellence” and “Impact” criteria of Horizon Europe evaluations but also positions startups for long-term commercialization success through protected, scalable innovations. 

 
4. Management – In this section, using the table format, please describe Milestones, Tasks (with subtasks), Duration, Deliverables.  

Milestone	Tasks & Subtasks	Duration	Deliverables / Outputs
M1. Project Initiation and Startup Selection	T1.1 Program Launch – Publish call for applications and eligibility criteria.  T1.2 Selection Process – Evaluate applicants based on innovation potential, technological readiness, and alignment with Horizon Europe themes.  T1.3 Orientation & Onboarding – Conduct kick-off sessions and formalize participation agreements.	Month 1–2	– Public call for applications launched  – 20–30 deep-tech startups selected  – Orientation materials and signed participation agreements
M2. Needs Assessment and Baseline Evaluation	T2.1 Startup Profiling – Assess technical, managerial, and IP readiness.  T2.2 Baseline Survey – Collect data on proposal experience, infrastructure access, and EU network connections.  T2.3 Individual Development Plans (IDPs) – Create tailored mentorship and training plans per startup.	Month 2–3	– Comprehensive baseline report  – Individual Development Plans (IDPs)  – Database of startup needs and technology areas
M3. Capacity-Building and Technical Training	T3.1 Workshops & Webinars – Deliver sessions on Horizon Europe proposal writing, budgeting, and impact design.  T3.2 Proposal Simulation Exercises – Mock proposal writing and peer review.  T3.3 Technical Validation Support – Access to labs, HPC resources, and mentorship in proof-of-concept validation.	Month 3–6	– 10+ workshops conducted  – Proposal drafts reviewed and improved  – Technology validation reports and TRL progress documentation
M4. Consortium Building and EU Networking	T4.1 Matchmaking Events – Facilitate networking with EU research institutions and industry partners.  T4.2 Partner Identification Support – One-on-one sessions to match startups with suitable consortia.  T4.3 Collaboration Agreements – Draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or Letters of Intent for consortium participation.	Month 5–7	– 3 matchmaking events completed  – At least 15 partnerships established  – Signed MoUs/Letters of Intent for Horizon Europe collaborations
M5. Proposal Development and Submission Support	T5.1 One-on-One Mentorship – Personalized guidance on call alignment, proposal writing, and budgeting.  T5.2 Proposal Review Clinics – Group review sessions with EU funding experts.  T5.3 Submission Assistance – Administrative and compliance checks before proposal submission.	Month 6–9	– 20+ proposals finalized  – Quality assurance reports completed  – 100% of supported proposals submitted before deadlines
M6. IP and Commercialization Strengthening	T6.1 IP Management Training – Workshops on patents, copyrights, and consortium IP rules.  T6.2 Commercialization Strategy Sessions – Develop market entry and sustainability plans.  T6.3 Legal and Licensing Guidance – Support in drafting NDAs, consortium IP clauses, and technology transfer agreements.	Month 8–10	– IP portfolios developed for participating startups  – Business models and commercialization roadmaps finalized  – Legal templates and IP frameworks completed
M7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting	T7.1 Midterm Review – Assess progress toward milestones and collect feedback.  T7.2 Impact Evaluation – Measure improvement in proposal quality, partnerships, and readiness levels.  T7.3 Final Reporting and Dissemination – Compile outcomes, lessons learned, and sustainability recommendations.	Month 10–12	– Midterm and final reports  – Evaluation metrics dashboard  – Public summary report and final dissemination event

Summary of Management Approach 

The Neftaly management structure emphasizes transparency, accountability, and iterative learning. The project will use digital project management tools (e.g., Notion, Trello, or MS Project) to track progress, monitor deliverables, and ensure timely completion. 

Key Coordination Roles: 

• Project Director (Neftaly Lead): Oversees overall project implementation, partner engagement, and funding compliance. 

• Technical Coordinator: Manages deep-tech validation activities, infrastructure access, and experimental support. 

• Mentorship & Training Coordinator: Designs and delivers workshops, mentorship sessions, and proposal clinics. 

• Monitoring & Evaluation Officer: Collects performance data, tracks KPIs, and compiles progress reports. 

• Administrative & Financial Officer: Ensures budget control, documentation, and grant compliance. 

5. Budget- In this section, using the table format, please describe the budget, resources (human and facilities) for your proposed research. 

Description	Resources / Personnel Involved	Estimated Cost (EUR)	Justification / Expected Output
1. Personnel Costs	Salaries and fees for project implementation, mentorship, technical assistance, and management.	– Project Director (1 FTE)  – Technical Coordinator (0.75 FTE)  – Mentorship & Training Coordinator (1 FTE)  – M&E Officer (0.5 FTE)  – Administrative & Financial Officer (0.5 FTE)  – Part-time expert mentors (sector specialists)	€120,000	Covers staff remuneration for 12 months; ensures continuous management, training delivery, and monitoring.
2. Expert Mentors and Trainers	Specialized external mentors for deep-tech proposal development, Horizon Europe compliance, and IP protection.	– 8–10 domain experts (AI, biotech, energy, materials, robotics, etc.)	€45,000	Enables targeted mentoring and hands-on proposal support for participating startups.
3. Workshops and Capacity-Building Activities	Organization of thematic workshops, proposal writing clinics, and networking events.	– Event logistics team  – Trainers and facilitators	€30,000	Covers venue, materials, facilitation fees, and virtual conferencing platforms.
4. Consortium-Building and EU Networking	Matchmaking sessions, partner meetings, and consortium development activities.	– Networking and outreach staff  – Partner institutions	€20,000	Supports partnership travel (if needed), online platforms, and documentation for consortium formation.
5. Infrastructure Access & Technical Validation Support	Access to prototyping, testing, and computational infrastructure for technology validation.	– Partner labs and incubator facilities  – High-performance computing (HPC) resources  – Software licenses	€35,000	Provides startups with access to lab space, testing facilities, and simulation environments for prototype validation.
6. Intellectual Property & Legal Support	IP training, patent advisory, legal documentation, and consortium agreement drafting.	– IP lawyers  – Patent consultants  – Legal administrative support	€15,000	Ensures startups have protected IP portfolios and compliant legal structures for Horizon Europe participation.
7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting	Data collection, progress tracking, and reporting to funding bodies.	– M&E Officer  – Data analyst  – Report designer	€10,000	Covers monitoring tools, analytics software, and publication of final reports.
8. Communication and Dissemination	Promotion of program activities and results through media, publications, and digital channels.	– Communications Officer  – Graphic designer  – Web developer	€7,000	Dissemination of outcomes, success stories, and impact reports to the innovation ecosystem.
9. Administrative and Overhead Costs	Office expenses, utilities, accounting, and coordination overhead.	– Project administration team	€18,000	Covers institutional support services, utilities, and contingency.
10. Contingency and Risk Mitigation	Reserve for unforeseen costs (e.g., travel, equipment repairs, or additional expert engagement).	– Managed by Project Director	€10,000	Ensures financial flexibility and smooth implementation.

Total Estimated Budget: €310,000 

Resources and Facilities 

Resource Type	Description	Availability / Ownership	Purpose in Project
Human Resources	Experienced project management and mentorship team with cross-sector expertise in EU funding and deep-tech innovation.	Neftaly and affiliated experts	Coordination, training, proposal review, and technical guidance.
Science Incubator Facilities	Co-working labs, testing environments, and business incubation spaces.	Partner institutions and science parks	Used by startups for prototype validation and technology demonstration.
Computing Infrastructure	High-performance computing resources and AI model testing environments.	Neftaly & partner tech hubs	Data analysis, simulation, and algorithm validation.
Training Infrastructure	Hybrid training setup (classroom + virtual), equipped with audio-visual and digital collaboration tools.	Neftaly Training Centre	Capacity-building workshops and virtual mentorship.
IP and Legal Advisory Network	Pool of legal and IP professionals for startup consultation.	Contracted experts	IP management, licensing, and consortium agreement drafting.

Summary 

The budget prioritizes capacity-building, mentorship, and infrastructure access — ensuring startups gain the tools, skills, and partnerships needed to compete effectively for Horizon Europe funding. The allocation of resources emphasizes impact efficiency, balancing expert input, startup empowerment, and measurable outputs. 

All expenditures will follow transparent financial management practices, with regular audits and quarterly financial reporting to maintain compliance with EIF and Horizon Europe standards. 

6.Summary 

• Main objective: (1-2 sentences in plain English)  

• Outcome: (1-2 sentences in plain English) 

Main Objective: 
To empower African deep-tech innovators and startups by providing them with the skills, mentorship, and infrastructure needed to successfully access and compete for Horizon Europe funding opportunities. 

Outcome: 
A network of investment-ready African startups equipped with validated technologies, strong EU partnerships, and high-quality proposals capable of securing international research and innovation funding.