Empowering Precision Medicine and Investment Readiness

Portuguese/BritishTech company iLoF received tailored support from Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), delivered by ANI, to strengthen its investment readiness and successfully engage with European investors. Through EEN2EIC services, including coaching, pitch training and participation in a transnational ePitch session, iLoF improved its business strategy and secured follow-up interest from international investors, accelerating its path towards internationalisation and funding.

Who did you help and what were their needs?

iLoF – Intelligent Lab on Fiber is a Portuguese/British HealthTech SME founded in 2019 in Porto, developing an AI-powered diagnostic platform to support precision medicine in areas such as neurology and oncology. With a strong innovation base and ambitions for international growth, the company sought to scale its technology and access European funding and investment opportunities.

However, entering highly competitive EU programmes such as the EIC Accelerator and engaging effectively with international investors posed significant challenges. The management team faced the complexity of application procedures, demanding evaluation criteria, and the need to further strengthen their business strategy and investment narrative. In addition, they required targeted support to refine their pitch, improve their positioning towards investors and increase their readiness for high-level evaluation processes.

iLoF was supported by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) in Portugal through ANI, following engagement with the network to enhance its investment readiness and access tailored advisory services aligned with its growth objectives.

Services provided

Scale-up support

Internationalisation

Business

Access to funding and finance

What did you do to help them?

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), delivered in Portugal by ANI, designed a tailored support strategy to strengthen iLoF’s investment readiness and maximise its chances of success in highly competitive EU funding and investor environments.

Under the EEN2EIC framework, ANI provided a comprehensive package of services, including innovation coaching, strategic business advice and tailored pitch training. In close collaboration with ANI’s National Contact Point (NCP) for the EIC, a mock interview was organised to simulate the EIC Accelerator jury process. This enabled the iLoF team to rehearse under realistic conditions, receive structured feedback and address identified gaps in their value proposition and communication approach.

To further support investor engagement, the EEN-ANI team proactively identified relevant international opportunities and facilitated iLoF’s participation in a transnational EEN2EIC ePitch session organised by Bpifrance, in cooperation with Steinbeis. ANI provided guidance throughout the application process and delivered targeted support using modules from the Investor Readiness Support (IRS) Toolkit, helping refine the company’s investment narrative and pitch deck.

A dedicated dry-run session, involving ANI and Bpifrance, ensured alignment with investor expectations and allowed final adjustments ahead of the pitching event. Close coordination between EEN partners and continuous interaction with the client ensured a coherent and effective support pathway, overcoming challenges related to positioning, communication and readiness for high-level evaluation and investor scrutiny.

The impact: What was the outcome of your help?

The tailored support provided by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) had a direct and measurable impact on iLoF’s investment readiness and international positioning. As a result of the preparation and participation in the transnational ePitch session, the company successfully presented its solution to a curated audience of European investors, significantly increasing its visibility at international level.

Following the event, iLoF received positive feedback and was contacted by two European investors interested in pursuing further discussions, opening concrete opportunities for future investment and collaboration. The support also contributed to strengthening the company’s business strategy, refining its value proposition and improving its performance in high-level evaluation settings, including the EIC Accelerator process.

With enhanced capabilities and increased confidence in engaging with investors, iLoF is now better positioned to scale its technology internationally, access funding and expand into new markets. For the EEN-ANI team, this case highlights the added value of coordinated advisory services and transnational cooperation in accelerating the growth of high-potential SMEs. Further collaboration with iLoF is envisaged, particularly in supporting future funding applications, investor matchmaking and internationalisation efforts.