Steinbeis 2i

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.

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

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

• Innovation consulting
• EU funding advisory
• Horizon Europe support
• Technology transfer services
• International market access

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Government Funding: Funding from federal and state ministries (9% of 2024 turnover), including Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied ResearchmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Leading 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 InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Network 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 NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Transnational 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 NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008European 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart 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 EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute 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 ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium supporting bio-based industries research and development in Europe.
• Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (CBE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU public-private partnership supporting bio-based industries innovation.
• EIT RawMaterialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean knowledge and innovation community for raw materials, working with SIGNs Strategic Impact Group Networks.
• Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman industry 4.0 alliance supporting digital transformation of manufacturing.
• European Cluster AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network supporting cluster organizations and policies.
• AI on Demand PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean platform for AI resources and collaboration.
• Clean Hydrogen PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU partnership supporting hydrogen technologies and adoption.
• Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/SEZ_europa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/embed/B5nLDVwVPqw?controls=0&cc_load_policy=1&hl=en&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/Steinbeis.Europa.Zentrum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steinbeis-europa-zentrum-sez-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Steinbeis 2i