The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final 2024 is embarking this year in Budapest on 28 November. After five months of preparations, 49 start-ups from 22 from RIS countries were selected to join the annual pitching contest, where they will compete for nearly €150,000 in prizes across eight categories.
This year, the EIT Jumpstarter 2024 Grand Final is part of the conference “The Next Decade of Innovation for the Future of Europe”, organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). This event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS), an initiative under Horizon Europe aimed at reducing regional innovation disparities across the continent.
After five months of dedicated training and mentoring, finalists who will participate in this year EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final have been selected from over 600+ applicants. Initially, 190 teams were accepted into the programme and joined an online bootcamp, where they strengthened their skills through courses and expert-led mentoring. From there, 80 teams advanced to local training sessions in 11 cities to further refine their business ideas. Now, 49 most promising teams are committed to set up their start–ups until end of this year. Notably, nearly 40% of these teams are female-led.
The finalists will compete for nearly €150,000 in prizes across eight categories: Energy, Food, Health, Manufacturing, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, New European Bauhaus, and Rebuild Ukraine. The top three teams from each category will be awarded up to €10,000, recognising their innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. In addition, the best Western Balkans team will be awarded with a special cash prize.
“Each of us is a winner, as reaching this point is already a significant achievement. We have learned so much, gaining skills and knowledge that will be valuable both now and in the future. Additionally, this experience offers a unique opportunity to create synergies among the start-ups, strengthening connections and opening new paths for collaboration”, said Cristian Isopo, representing newly created start-up Wharps Industries (Nanostars project), who competes in the Food category.
The list of this year’s finalists:
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