EIT Culture & Creativity has launched a new €8.6 million funding and growth support opportunity designed to help creative-tech ventures achieve investment readiness, attract capital and scale internationally. The call is delivered through two complementary programmes:
- Shape Acceleration: offering up to €200,000 for ventures that have validated a market need through early traction and are preparing for investment and growth,
- Scale post-acceleration: offering up to €500,000 for ventures with proven traction that are actively raising capital or have recently secured investment and are ready to scale internationally
Europe is producing a new generation of creative-tech ventures with strong market traction, innovative business models and international ambitions. Yet access to growth capital remains a challenge. EIT Culture & Creativity’s financial and growth support programmes help founders accelerate their journey towards investment readiness, commercial scale and international growth through funding, coaching, investor access and industry connections.
Shape Acceleration and Scale Post-Acceleration programmes provide tailored support from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, alongside matchmaking opportunities with investors and corporate partners, and visibility at major European events. Beyond funding and acceleration, selected ventures become part of EIT Culture & Creativity’s 100-to-Watch portfolio, our curated list of high-potential creative-tech companies.
Backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), recognised by Sifted as Europe’s best-performing startup investor, the EIT Culture & Creativity funding and growth programmes aim to strengthen Europe’s next generation of creative-tech scaleups.
The 2027 cohort is now open for applications from ventures operating in Fashion, Architecture and Audiovisual Media, with applications closing on 12 October 2026.
Future cohorts will follow expanding the scope to include Gaming and Cultural Heritage alongside the existing priority sectors. Full eligibility criteria and application details are available: