EIT Jumpstarter is back with €240,000 for Europe’s next innovators

Participants have the opportunity to compete for over €240,000 in financial support, including prizes of €10,000, €5,000 and €3,000 for the top teams in each thematic cohort. In addition, special prizes of €2,500 will recognise the best projects from the EU Outermost Regions, the Western Balkans and Ukraine, as well as solutions aligned with the New European Bauhaus initiative. Beyond financial support, participants receive more than 55 hours of entrepreneurial training, expert mentoring, professional pitch development and access to the EIT’s pan-European innovation network.

“EIT Jumpstarter is the perfect environment to validate an innovative idea and determine whether it can grow into a viable product or service. The 2026 edition offers also stronger alignment with European innovation priorities, to progress towards investment readiness. Participants join a supportive community, benefit from expert mentoring and gain the entrepreneurial mindset needed to build and scale a start-up. The renewed programme design empowers innovators to move faster, focus on market fit and confidently transform early‑stage ideas into scalable ventures,” says Adam Strzelecki, EIT Jumpstarter Programme Lead.

EIT Jumpstarter primarily targets innovators from countries participating in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS), while also providing dedicated recognition for innovators from the EU Outermost Regions, the Western Balkans and Ukraine.

Since its launch, the programme has trained more than 1,500 innovators, supported the creation of over 150 start-ups, generated more than 2,600 jobs, and helped young companies attract over €150 million in investment, demonstrating its growing impact in strengthening Europe’s early-stage innovation ecosystem.