Dear IOs,

We trust this message finds you well amid all the works.

We wanted to share with you some exciting news – the EYE Innovator Award is back, and we count on
your best entrepreneurs being a part of it, so we are looking for your support in sharing the call for the
Innovator Award 2024 with your HEs and NEs.

Who is eligible?

The competition is open to all new entrepreneurs (NEs) and host entrepreneurs (HEs), who have taken
part in a completed, successful EYE exchange, which should have finished in the period 01 January
2023 – 31 December 2023 (meaning the exchange could have started earlier, for example in December
2022, but what is the most important is the end date which should be in 2023).

The aim is to identify the entrepreneurs, whose exchanges have led to an innovative impact in terms of
technical or process innovation in any field, for example in the fields of environment, sustainability,
transport/logistics, smart cities, e-care, digital technologies etc.

What is Innovation?

In the context of this competition, innovation should be considered in its full spectrum, from the
research and testing of new practices, tools and methods to the effective creation of a new product,
service or process (e.g. production process, distribution method or support activity for goods or services)
thanks to new technology, technology combinations or new knowledge.
The entrepreneurs, who have achieved one of the above results with their companies, are the target of
this competition.

As already set last year we continue the tradition. The 4 finalists (2 NEs and 2 HEs) will be contacted
with further information on their application and participation in the competition event on 11 April
2023 in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Award Date: 10 April 2024

Location: Kaunas, Lithuania

All what your entrepreneurs need to do is to send us a quick video (40 seconds max) along with a short
description of their success story.

Check out the application form for details: https://q.surveypal.com/EYE-INNOVATOR-AWARD-2024

 Deadline: 10 March 2024, 23:59 CET

We count on you to spread the word to all your entrepreneurs who are ready to shine at the EYE
Innovator Award. Let's make this 15 year of EYE memorable together!

Selection and award

Once all the applications have been received, the Support Office, European Commission and EISMEA will
assess and evaluate the applications by 15 March 2024 and shortlist 4 finalists, who will be invited to
attend physically the event in Kaunas, Lithuania where they will present their success stories, and the
EYE Network will select the two winners (1 NE and 1 HE).

What and how to submit?

The videos should be of maximum 40 seconds and should consist of a short presentation, elaborating
on what the successful EYE exchange brought to the entrepreneurs involved in terms of innovation.
The videos should help convey the message that ‘’EYE is for all real entrepreneurs’’, showing how the
programme had an impact on their business.

In addition to the video, the entrepreneurs should draft also a short text (max. half a page) about their
success story.

In order to apply, the entrepreneurs have to follow these steps:

· Fill in the online Application form;

· Record a short video (maximum 40 seconds) on their experience in the EYE programme
and attach it to the application form;

· Draft a short description of their success story and focus on the question how the EYE
programme had an impact on their entrepreneurial journey;

· Send the online Application form to the Support Office.

What is in for entrepreneurs?

 Shortlisted finalists (2 new entrepreneurs and 2 host entrepreneurs ) will be

invited to Kaunas, Lithuania for the final pitch on 10 April 2024. Travel and
stay costs will be covered by event organisers.
 Winners selected by the EYE Intermediary Organisations will receive a trip to
the SME Assembly 2024 – the biggest event in Europe for small and medium-
 sized enterprises. The event provides vast networking opportunities, features
high-level speakers and holds numerous workshops.
 Finalists' stories will be promoted and featured on the EYE website and social
media platforms.

We already want to thank you all for efforts and for sharing this call for applications with your HEs and

NEs! We hope to receive many applications

Would you have any questions, the Support Office is always available!

Our best regards,

The EYE Support Office

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Support Office c/o EUROCHAMBRES
Av. des Arts, 19 A/D • B-1000 Brussels, Belgium / Tel: +32 2 282 08 73
support@erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu // www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu