EIT : New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark)

  • Action type: Grant (100% of the total eligible project costs)
  • Opening date: 6 October 2026
  • Closing time: 16 November 2026 17:00 (Europe/Brussels)
  • Budget per project: € 30 000 of total € 1 050 000
  • Estimated number of projects funded: 35
  • Official website

Scope

EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to apply for the Open Call for New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark), designed to support early-stage founders in Cultural and Creative technology (CreaTech) who are ready to turn business concepts into legally established, viable ventures. The Call is open to individuals and multidisciplinary teams developing solutions in fashion, architecture, and advanced material innovations and registered in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries.

Selected applicants will participate in an in-person Startup Sprint followed by the Spark Incubation Programme, receiving up to EUR 30,000 in funding per selected venture concept, alongside mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to the EIT Culture & Creativity ecosystem. Full details below.

This call focuses on Materials & Built Environment (Fashion & Architecture). Future cohorts will expand to additional sectors, with details to be announced at a later date.

Once selected, participants will join a two-step incubation journey:

Createch Startup Sprint: A 2-3 days bootcamp hosted in a European city where founders get hands-on help to develop their problem-solution fit, meet with international experts, coaches and peer founders.

Spark Incubation Programme: A 9-month online venture creation journey where founders are supported by a dedicated coach, curated mentorship, goal-oriented topic workshops, exclusive technology partnerships, and visibility at major European events.

The call prioritises tech-centric solutions with commercial potential, early validation, and a commitment to establishing a legal entity. Applicants must demonstrate a clear problem–solution fit, innovation, and scalability within the Materials & Built Environment (fashion & architecture).

List of documents to be submitted:
Budget plan and EIT funding request

Application form via online platform, together with Part B

Lean Startup Canvas

Venture Execution Plan (outline provided)

Remarks

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.

This call is open to early-stage founders (individuals or multidisciplinary teams) complying with the following requirements:

No registered company with the business concept applying with

Ready to turn business concepts into scalable, for-profit ventures

Operating in the focus industries in CCSI included in this call

Registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe–associated country

Already testing, building, or validating the business concept (not just ideating)

Developing a tech-centric solution (material innovation, hardware, or digital solution)

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