The ExcellEnt project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme,  of international collaboration across Europe. The project connected entrepreneurs, educators, innovation leaders, and policymakers to strengthen Europe’s entrepreneurial landscape, promote youth (self-)employability, and spark deeper cooperation across borders.

At its heart, ExcellEnt set out to capture real entrepreneurial experiences – particularly those of young innovators – and transform them into meaningful tools, stories, and partnerships that help shape how entrepreneurship is supported and scaled across the continent.

A Europe-Wide Effort to Share, Support, and Scale

Workshops and events were held in France, Ireland, Greece, Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, bringing together local actors to explore shared challenges – from financing to regulation – and to exchange solutions. These collaborative gatherings inspired new ways of supporting entrepreneurs and encouraged stronger connections between different regions and sectors.

A major milestone of the project was the creation of a digital platform that gives startups and support organisations access to online learning, mentorship, funding tools, and opportunities to collaborate with peers across Europe. The platform is now live and will continue to grow as a central space for learning, sharing, and scaling ideas.

A Highlight: Soft-Landing Missions Across Europe

One of ExcellEnt’s most successful initiatives was the launch of Soft-Landing Missions – immersive trips that gave entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers the chance to explore innovation hubs across Europe, build partnerships, and learn directly from local leaders.

In Paris, the Soft-Landing Mission took place during Viva Technology, Europe’s biggest tech and startup event. Participants visited STATION F, the world’s largest startup campus, and met with leaders at Matrice Innovation Hub, Pôle Léonard de Vinci, and top universities.
Although the security situation did not allow for hosting a mission inside Ukraine, the Ukrainian startup community was strongly represented in Paris – sharing insights, highlighting collaboration opportunities, and exploring ways innovation can contribute to recovery and growth.

In Bulgaria, the mission took place during Spinoff EUROPA 2025 at the GATE Institute, where over 300 participants gathered to explore the intersection of science, tech, and entrepreneurship. Attendees experienced live demos, joined expert panels, and connected through roundtables and networking sessions that fostered cross-border collaboration.

In Ireland, the group explored Dublin’s innovation ecosystem – where long-term collaboration between universities, government agencies, and businesses has created a strong foundation for startup success. Participants gained insights into inclusive accelerator models, patient capital, and national startup support strategies.

In Türkiye, the delegation visited Istanbul to see a tech ecosystem growing at speed, powered by public investment, digital infrastructure, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community. They engaged with local accelerators and innovation hubs to better understand the balance between local innovation and global growth ambitions.

Across all missions, participants forged new connections, gained real-world insight, and built a strong foundation for continued cooperation.

Looking Ahead

The ExcellEnt project also launched the European Entrepreneurship Academy – an online platform where entrepreneurs can find courses, tools, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate across borders. The Academy will continue to serve as a long-term hub for building entrepreneurial capacity across the EU and beyond.

Throughout the project, TechUkraine led outreach and communications, helping ensure visibility for local ecosystems, amplifying young voices, and supporting community building across the continent.

As the project concludes, a collection of reports, resources, and success stories has been published to share what we’ve learned.

👉 You can explore them all in the Resources section of the project website:
🌐 https://excell-ent.eu/news