The Portuguese company BestHealth4U has secured a total of €4.25M in support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program during its most recent funding round, held in March.
This significant support will enable BestHealth4U to launch its revolutionary patented medical adhesive, Bio2Skin, onto the global market. Bio2Skin leverages the natural properties of human skin for superior functionality.
In this funding round, the EIC Accelerator supported 68 companies out of a total of 969 applicants, with an investment of €411M. Portugal submitted 12 applications, with BestHealth4U receiving funding approval. Portugal continues to demonstrate a success rate (9.68%) in the EIC Accelerator above the European average (7.16%).
Bio2Skin is a disruptive product that eliminates the need for glue by utilizing the natural properties of the skin. It overcomes the drawbacks of traditional adhesives based on acrylics or silicones. Made from biological materials, it is cost-effective, recyclable, and offers gentle adhesion and removal, avoiding adverse reactions or skin injuries.
Headquartered in Braga, BestHealth4U aims to lead an innovative revolution in medical quality advancements by focusing on skin health to accelerate healing and enhance overall patient well-being.
Since the launch of the EIC Accelerator in March 2021, 15 national deep tech companies have received funding totaling approximately €82M. This instrument, part of Pillar III of Horizon Europe, supports startups and SMEs with disruptive technologies, helping them scale their businesses globally. The EIC Accelerator offers non-refundable grants of up to €2.5M, combined with equity investments of up to €15M through the EIC Fund. Additionally, beneficiary companies gain access to Business Acceleration Services, which provide opportunities for global investment and growth.
To date, 85 Portuguese companies have submitted applications to the EIC Accelerator, one of the most competitive instruments under Horizon Europe. It is designed for deep tech companies with high growth potential but significant barriers and high-risk profiles.
“Portugal’s results in the EIC Accelerator should be seen as an opportunity to develop nationally rooted deep tech businesses, retain and attract talent, and increase the exposure of tech-based SMEs and the entire national ecosystem to more competitive international systems. ANI’s experience in promoting national participation in the EIC, particularly in the Accelerator, reinforces this commitment and the support provided to national companies with disruptive technologies,” says António Grilo, President of the National Innovation Agency (ANI).
Companies have been supported by ANI in accessing funding through the National Contact Points network for Horizon Europe and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which launched the Pathways2EIC initiative in April. This national capacity-building program for the EIC Accelerator has already held four sessions with a total of 500 participants.
