EIT : FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STARTUPS AND SCALEUPS (Fashion, Architecture, Audio Visual Media)

Scope and topics of the call :
The call aims to accelerate the growth, scaling, and investment readiness of high-potential ventures in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). Call provides fixed-amount financial support under the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism to enable companies to grow their operations, expand internationally, and advance fundraising activities.

Topics to be addressed:
2027 Cohort (start January 2027): Fashion, Architecture, Audio Visual Media.
Additional cohorts covering additional topics will be announced later.

The call supports tech-enabled, market-driven, and IP-leveraged solutions capable of scaling commercially, generating economic/societal value, and strengthening Europe’s creative economy. Activities may include business development, investor outreach, team expansion, marketing, legal/IP advisory, and participation in ecosystem events. All selected ventures must actively engage in their respective programme’s structured support (kick-off, coaching, online workshops, and Demo Days).

Total financial support & allocation : €8,600,000

SHAPE PROGRAMME : € 3,400,000

SCALE PROGRAMME : € 5,200,000

Number of grants: 50 ventures

Reimbursement rate: EIT Culture & Creativity financial support may reimburse up to 100% of the total eligible project costs. To avoid double funding, costs already funded by other EU programmes or sources cannot be reimbursed.

Shape → Up to €200,000
pre-seed/seed ventures with early traction, building investment readiness

Scale → Up to €500,000
post-seed ventures raising or closing their next round, expanding internationally

Every selected startup or scale-up gets:

In-person kick-off + goal-oriented sprints
A designated coach and curated mentor access
Warm introductions to investors, corporates and partners
Access to exclusive tech partnerships
Visibility at major European events and a Demo Day with leading investors and industry partners
Inclusion in EIT Culture & Creativity’s 100-to-Watch portfolio, our curated pipeline of high-potential creative-tech ventures

EIT Culture & Creativity invites startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) that are looking to accelerate growth, attract investment, and expand internationally to apply for financial support under the Shape Acceleration Programme and Scale Post-Acceleration Programme.

This call combines financial support of up to EUR500,000 with tailored venture development services designed to strengthen commercial execution, investment readiness, fundraising, and international market expansion. It is open to legally established for-profit entities in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries developing tech-enabled, market-driven, and IP-leveraged solutions.

The call is part of a broader effort to build Europe’s creative-tech investment pipeline, helping founders reach the milestones that attract private capital: stronger market validation, scalable business models, customer acquisition, fundraising readiness and international expansion.

This call is open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. It supports ventures at different stages of maturity.

Info session: Call for financial support to startups and scaleups
This information session will focus on the open call for financial under the Shape Acceleration Programme and Scale Post-Acceleration Programme. The session will cover content, topics, requirements and general procedures, such as the submission and evaluation process.

Dates:
27 Aug, 11:00 – 12:30 CEST
22 Sept, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST

https://forms.monday.com/forms/f566a2ab953f8f56271c6f654054157b?r=euc1