EIT Jumpstarter – Call for participants 2026

Turn Your Idea into a startup with EIT Jumpstarter

Do you have an innovative idea and the ambition to turn it into a real business?
EIT Jumpstarter is a seven‑month pre‑acceleration programme designed to help you take the crucial first steps from idea to startup.

Jointly organised by six EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, EIT Jumpstarter supports researchers, innovators, students and idea holders who want to validate their concepts, build strong business foundations and prepare for launching a company.

Who is it for?

The programme is open to individuals and teams from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe (please check the detailed list of eligible countries and territories in the Terms and Conditions) with early‑stage ideas in one of the following categories:

• Healthcare
• Food & Agritech
• Raw Materials (metals, minerals and industrial side streams)
• Energy and Renewables
• Advanced and Green Manufacturing
• Smart Cities and Mobility
• A thematic‑agnostic category supporting Maltese startups and innovations

You don’t need a company yet — just a strong idea and the motivation to explore its market potential.

Application deadline

Please submit your application until May 8, 2026 through dedicated application platform at http://myeitfood.eu

What you will gain

Over the course of seven months, selected participants will:

• Develop core entrepreneurial and business skills
• Learn how to validate their idea and market need
• Gain access to high‑quality mentoring and networking opportunities across the EIT Community
• Work alongside carefully selected peers, ensuring high‑value peer learning
• Learn how to transform an innovative concept into a market‑ready product or service

Funding and prizes

The most promising teams receive financial support during the programme, and finalists in each category will have the chance to compete for prizes of up to €10,000 to further advance their development.

What’s next after Jumpstarter?

Throughout the programme, teams are expected to make tangible progress towards company incorporation, preparing them for entry into advanced accelerators and further EIT support programmes.

If you are ready to test your idea, gain entrepreneurial confidence and take the first real step towards building a startup, EIT Jumpstarter is your starting point.

Apply now and start building your future venture with the EIT Community.