Steinbeis 2i
Steinbeis 2i GmbH is a Stuttgart-based innovation consulting firm advising enterprises, research institutions, and public stakeholders on accessing EU research funding (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, INTERREG) and building international technology-transfer partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Steinbeis 2i does
Steinbeis 2i GmbH is a private innovation-consulting firm headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 2016 as one of three entities within the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum group (alongside Steinbeis EU FOR YOU, founded 1990, and Steinbeis IDEA Europe, founded 2018), all under parent Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH. The firm advises enterprises, start-ups, universities, research institutions, cluster organisations, public stakeholders, and municipalities on accessing European research and innovation funding — primarily Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, and INTERREG — and on building international partnerships for technology transfer. It also acts as the European Commission-mandated SME contact point for Baden-Württemberg via the Enterprise Europe Network, provides free Sustainability Check assessments to SMEs, and manages cascade-funding programmes that disburse €15k–€100k grants directly to start-ups.
The company has no proprietary software or technology products; its core 'technology' is process expertise in EU grant proposal writing, consortium building, project management, exploitation of research results, and innovation-policy advisory. Its team of ~100 employees from ~20 countries is organised across topic clusters (Digitalisation & Industry 4.0, Climate/Energy/Mobility/Smart Cities, Agriculture/Bioeconomy/Environment, Health, Culture/Creativity/Inclusion) rather than technology stacks. Select customers include DITF (bio-based textiles), EIFER (hydrogen research), Fraunhofer (bio-based adhesives), Bytefabrik.AI (manufacturing analytics), MELINA BUCHER (bio-based leather goods), CureVac, Wörwag Pharma, Ineratec, and Hahn-Schickard.
The revenue model is project-based and predominantly grant-driven: the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum group reported €9.7 million turnover in 2024, of which 75% came from EU project funds (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, INTERREG), 16% from direct client services, and 9% from German federal and state ministries. The firm is self-reported as the #1 partner for EU projects in Germany with 160+ participations in Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, has secured €143 million in EU funding returned to Baden-Württemberg since 2010, and operates a 35% proposal approval rate against the European Commission. Pricing is quote-driven and project-specific; some services (e.g., Sustainability Check) are offered free of charge to eligible SMEs through Enterprise Europe Network funding.
Steinbeis 2i firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Steinbeis 2i
- Legal name
- Steinbeis 2i GmbH
- Website
- https://steinbeis-europa.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Steinbeis 2i GmbH is a Stuttgart-based innovation consulting firm advising enterprises, research institutions, and public stakeholders on accessing EU research funding (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, INTERREG) and building international technology-transfer partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Steinbeis 2i industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Consulting and EU Funding Advisory
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Steinbeis 2i is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Steinbeis 2i business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- EU Project Funds: Largest revenue source (75% of 2024 turnover of €9.7 million) from European Commission funding measures including Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and INTERREG programmes. Company acquires and manages EU-funded research and innovation projects.
- Client Services: Services provided directly to clients including innovation management consulting, proposal writing support, project management, and international partnership facilitation. Represents 16% of 2024 turnover.
- Government Funding: Funding from federal and state ministries (9% of 2024 turnover), including Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One-time | Sustainability Check - Free service for SMEs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Steinbeis 2i product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Steinbeis 2i GmbH is an innovation consulting firm providing advisory services to enterprises, startups, universities, and research institutions on accessing EU research and innovation funding (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, INTERREG), innovation management, international market entry, and technology transfer. The firm coordinates and manages EU-funded research projects on behalf of clients and helps build international consortia and partnerships. Services are delivered by an interdisciplinary team of approximately 100 employees across Stuttgart and Karlsruhe offices.
Product overview
Steinbeis 2i GmbH (part of Steinbeis Europa Zentrum) operates as an innovation consulting firm rather than a software product company. The organization provides a portfolio of professional services including innovation management consulting, EU funding pathway services, international market support, sustainability assessment (Sustainability Check), open innovation coaching, regional transformation support, and event management. These services are delivered through consulting teams organized by technology topics: Digitalisation & Industry 4.0, Climate/Energy/Mobility & Smart Cities, Agriculture/Bioeconomy & Environment, Health, and Culture/Creativity & Inclusion. The firm also facilitates participation in EU research projects through the Enterprise Europe Network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Innovation Management Consulting Advisory service helping companies assess innovation potential, develop innovation strategies, identify growth areas, and implement innovation processes from idea to market launch. Targeted at enterprises, startups, and SMEs.
- EU Funding Pathway Services End-to-end advisory and project management service supporting SMEs, startups, and research institutions in accessing European funding programmes such as Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, and INTERREG, including identification of instruments, proposal preparation, and management of funded projects.
- International Markets Support Advisory service assisting companies and research institutions in entering international markets, building cross-border partnerships, and facilitating technology transfer across European and global networks.
- Sustainability Check Free introductory sustainability assessment for SMEs, funded by the EU through the Enterprise Europe Network. Includes company sustainability status assessment, priority identification, and a recommendations report covering funding opportunities.
- Open Innovation Coaching Coaching service supporting companies in adopting open innovation approaches, identifying appropriate platforms and partner profiles, and establishing connections with cooperation partners.
- Regional & Social Transformation Services Consulting services supporting regional development, social innovation initiatives, and transformation processes in European regions, including Danube region activities.
- Event Management & Further Education Organization of congresses, information events, and training programmes on proposal writing, project management, and innovation topics for various target groups, including the Open Innovation Congress Baden-Württemberg and the Global Connect Conference.
Quantifiable outcome
- 12,000 persons advised from over 7,000 organisations
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Steinbeis 2i
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Steinbeis 2i technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Steinbeis 2i partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied ResearchmajorLeading German research organization. Co-leads EU project CIRCULAR-C with Steinbeis Europa Centrum to develop bio-based adhesives for wood panels. Project funded with €4 million under Horizon Europe until May 2029.
- Vanguard InitiativemajorNetwork of 40+ European regions cooperating to strengthen innovation and industrial growth. Steinbeis serves as regional support point for Baden-Württemberg. Works on technologies including AI, bio-economy, hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing through interregional demonstration projects.
- Danube Transfer Centres NetworkcoreTransnational network dedicated to fostering innovation and knowledge transfer in the Danube Macro-Region. 16 entry points and 38 hubs in 11 countries. Steinbeis leads thematic pole 1 'Innovative ecosystems for SMEs' and manages EUSDR working group on Innovation and Technology Transfer.
- Enterprise Europe NetworkcoreEuropean Commission's business support network with 600+ organizations in 60+ countries. Steinbeis is a partner providing services for SMEs including market access, innovation support, and research cooperation. Part of Baden-Württemberg SME contact point.
- Steinbeis EU FOR YOU (formerly SEZ)corePart of the same corporate group under Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH. Founded 1990, originally known as SEZ. Provides innovation consulting and technology transfer services within the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum group.
- Steinbeis IDEA EuropecoreInstitute of the Commissioner for Europe of the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg, founded 2018. Part of Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH. Houses the Commissioner for Europe function.
- Bio-Based Industries ConsortiumminorConsortium supporting bio-based industries research and development in Europe.
- Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (CBE)minorEU public-private partnership supporting bio-based industries innovation.
- EIT RawMaterialsminorEuropean knowledge and innovation community for raw materials, working with SIGNs Strategic Impact Group Networks.
- Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-WürttembergminorGerman industry 4.0 alliance supporting digital transformation of manufacturing.
- European Cluster AllianceminorEuropean network supporting cluster organizations and policies.
- AI on Demand PlatformminorEuropean platform for AI resources and collaboration.
- Clean Hydrogen PartnershipminorEU partnership supporting hydrogen technologies and adoption.
- Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and TourismcoreState ministry that coordinates Baden-Württemberg's participation in European networks including Enterprise Europe Network and Vanguard Initiative. Commissioned Steinbeis to organize events including Global Connect Conference.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Steinbeis 2i competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Innovate UK: The UK's national innovation agency plays a structurally similar role to Steinbeis on the UK side — bridging government, research institutions, and SMEs on innovation funding. Useful as a broader-incumbent reference for the public-sector innovation intermediary model.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organisation, itself a major recipient of EU research funding. Fraunhofer is both a frequent Steinbeis partner (e.g., CIRCULAR-C project) and a potential competitor for research administration mandates at scale.
- European Innovation Council (EIC) Business Acceleration Services: The European Commission's own EIC programme acts as a broad incumbent for EU innovation funding and SME support. While not a direct consultancy competitor, it shapes the demand Steinbeis serves and overlaps in helping SMEs access European funding instruments.
Others
- Steinbeis Foundation (parent ecosystem): The Steinbeis Foundation is the umbrella non-profit under which Steinbeis 2i operates. It is adjacent rather than competitive, but represents the foundation ecosystem that enables Steinbeis 2i's non-profit, mission-aligned operating model.
Direct peers
- RTD Services: Austrian firm specialised in EU project management, dissemination, and exploitation, with deep experience in Horizon Europe and similar programmes. Comparable scale and offerings relative to Steinbeis, frequently serving as project coordinator for EU consortia.
- accelopment AG: Switzerland-based EU project management and innovation consultancy specialising in coordinating Horizon Europe and Interreg projects. It offers direct, comparable services around proposal support, project coordination, communication, and exploitation, often serving as Work Package leader in the same types of consortia Steinbeis manages.
- EurA Consult: Germany-based consultancy with strong overlap with Steinbeis on EU funding advisory, particularly for SMEs and research institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Provides proposal support, project management, and innovation consulting for German and European clients.
- IDEA Consult: Brussels-based innovation and policy consultancy providing EU funding advisory, R&I policy studies, and project management for European institutions. Overlap with Steinbeis's policy-shaping and EU-funded project management capabilities is strong, particularly in DG RTD and Horizon Europe contexts.
- PNO Consultants: One of Europe's largest dedicated EU funding consultancies, headquartered in the Netherlands with offices across the continent. PNO offers nearly identical services — proposal writing, project management, and exploitation of results for Horizon Europe, LIFE, and national funds — making it the closest direct competitor to Steinbeis's core EU funding pathway offering.
- Zabala Innovation Consulting: Spanish innovation consultancy with a strong track record in Horizon Europe proposal writing and project management. Provides the same EU funding pathway services as Steinbeis, often competing head-to-head in consortium bids.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Steinbeis 2i social profiles
Digital presenceSteinbeis 2i compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Steinbeis 2i financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Steinbeis 2i leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Steinbeis 2i funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Steinbeis 2i M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Steinbeis 2i
What does Steinbeis 2i do?
Steinbeis 2i GmbH is an innovation consulting firm providing advisory services to enterprises, startups, universities, and research institutions on accessing EU research and innovation funding (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, INTERREG), innovation management, international market entry, and technology transfer. The firm coordinates and manages EU-funded research projects on behalf of clients and helps build international consortia and partnerships. Services are delivered by an interdisciplinary team of approximately 100 employees across Stuttgart and Karlsruhe offices.
Is Steinbeis 2i a public or private company?
Steinbeis 2i is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Steinbeis 2i founded?
Steinbeis 2i was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Steinbeis 2i based?
Steinbeis 2i is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Steinbeis 2i make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. EU Project Funds are the primary driver. The others are client Services and government Funding.
Who are Steinbeis 2i's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Innovate UK, Fraunhofer Society and European Innovation Council (EIC) Business Acceleration Services. Steinbeis Foundation (parent ecosystem) is listed as an others. Direct peers are RTD Services, accelopment AG, EurA Consult, IDEA Consult, PNO Consultants and Zabala Innovation Consulting.
Does Steinbeis 2i have an API?
No public API is recorded for Steinbeis 2i.
What industry is Steinbeis 2i in?
Steinbeis 2i's product category is Innovation Consulting and EU Funding Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEALAO, Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance), with a secondary code of BPADAMAJ, Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.