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October 16, 2026

Meet the 36 Finalists of EIT Jumpstarter 2026

The most promising innovators are one step away from the podium

After months of intensive training, expert mentoring, customer validation and business development, the journey now reaches its most exciting stage. We are proud to announce the 36 finalist teams of EIT Jumpstarter 2026, selected to compete in the programme’s Online Grand Final Demo Days on 21-22 October 2026. 

Chosen from an exceptionally competitive cohort, these teams have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial potential, innovative thinking and commitment to transforming their ideas into successful ventures. Over the past months, they have refined their business concepts, challenged their assumptions and prepared compelling market opportunities with the support of the EIT Jumpstarter programme.  

Now, they will pitch their solutions live before an international jury, investors, innovation leaders and members of the European innovation ecosystem. The Online Grand Final Demo Days will determine which teams emerge as the top performers in each thematic cohort and move one step closer to becoming Europe’s next startup success stories.  

From 895 Applications to 36 Finalists

The 2026 edition of EIT Jumpstarter attracted 895 applications from early-stage innovators across Europe and beyond, confirming the programme’s position as one of Europe’s leading pre-acceleration initiatives. Following a rigorous selection process, 162 teams joined the programme and embarked on a journey of entrepreneurial training, mentoring and business validation.  

After progressing through online bootcamps, Startup Builder Training and business plan evaluations, only the strongest teams advanced to the final stage. Today, we celebrate these 36 finalists, representing six innovation categories that address some of Europe’s most pressing societal and industrial challenges. 

Healthcare Cohort

Powered by EIT Health

  • PRECISION CHEMO: A genomic test that predicts which chemotherapies a tumour will resist, before treatment starts
  • Nanoflexion: Nanofibrous biomaterials that prevent leakage, a life-threatening complication after gastrointestinal surgery
  • NeuroshedBio: Patient-specific brain organoids from baby-tooth stem cells for more predictive drug discovery in neurodevelopmental disorders
  • SimOSpine: Digital twins and patient-specific simulation to prevent complications after spinal fusion surgery
  • Doktůrek.ai: A traceable AI clinical co-pilot for primary care physicians
  • MTB-cBioPortal: Bringing clinical, genomic and patient-reported data together for molecular tumour boards


Food & Agritech Cohort

Powered by EIT Food

  • SpectrOlive: Instant, lab-grade olive oil quality checks and origin authentication
  • BITELOOP: A clean-label sweetener made from fermented rice by-products
  • Raua Systems: Micro-bubble aeration that boosts oxygen, breaks down ammonia and improves survival rates in shrimp farms
  • BioFood Cultures: Native Greek microbial cultures for better, more authentic fermented foods
  • VitisIno: Functional health ingredients upcycled from wine-grape pomace
  • EntoGrid: Mobile bioconversion modules that help farms meet EU nitrates rules and restore soil health


Energy & Renewables Cohort

Powered by InnoEnergy

  • Apioris: AI that optimises battery health and performance in energy storage systems
  • Datlantis: Underwater data centres powered by offshore energy for sustainable European AI
  • EEIQ: Turning industrial smart meter data into energy savings, without extra hardware
  • CoolAVent: Affordable, low-energy cooling and heat recovery for net-zero hospitality
  • Radiant Robotics: Contactless inspection that detects hidden defects in solar panels
  • OptiControl: Smart scheduling of energy assets to cut electricity costs


Raw Materials Cohort

Powered by EIT RawMaterials

  • GeoCura: Turning hazardous mine tailings into high-value construction materials
  • CAPTURE-AI: AI-designed materials that capture CO₂ and convert it into green methanol
  • Metastruct: Lightweight, 3D-printed façade structures that cut CO₂ emissions
  • Valumia: Spotting hidden supply-chain risks before they become disruptions
  • ARCMENTOR: An AI assistant that helps new operators master robotic welding faster
  • MinteraCEM: Circular minerals from steel slag for low-carbon construction

Smart Cities & Mobility Cohort

Powered by EIT Urban Mobility

  • EVDC Grid: Scalable EV charging using existing grid infrastructure
  • Veridian Mobility: A self-propelled smart chassis that turns trailers into active vehicles
  • Aestrion: Resilient communication networks that keep cities connected, even in emergencies
  • IxioCityLabs: Predicting which parking spaces will be free when you arrive
  • Flobe Industries: AI that detects fare evasion on public transport, without storing personal data
  • Coride: Rewarding employees for carpooling, while helping employers cut commute emissions and parking costs


Supporting Maltese Startups & Innovations Cohort

Powered by EIT Community in collaboration with Xjenza Malta

  • DISCOVERLO: Calm, curated spaces that help professionals recover from stress and burnout
  • Synesthesia: Turning any image into an original musical composition
  • IZZY: Clear insights and valuations from private company financials
  • DiGiG8: Reusable smart badges that bring networking and analytics to live events
  • RootValve: Passive, electricity-free irrigation for water-scarce regions
  • BryoWall: Modular moss systems that clean the air and cool cities


Competing for More Than Recognition

During the Online Grand Final Demo Days, finalists will compete for €10,000, €5,000 and €3,000 prizes awarded to the top three teams in each thematic cohort. 

In addition, several special prizes will celebrate solutions generating impact in key European priority areas. €2,500 awards will recognise the best projects from the EU Outermost Regions, the Western Balkans, and Ukraine, as well as solutions closely aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus, rewarding innovations that combine sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics. 

The Road to the Award Ceremony

 The Online Grand Final Demo Days on 21-22 October will mark the culmination of months of hard work, learning and growth. Across two days of live pitching sessions, finalists will present their ventures and compete for a place among the programme’s winners. 

Register for the Online Grand Final Demo Days by 20 October!

The winning teams will then be officially recognised during the EIT Jumpstarter Award Ceremony on 12 November 2026, held as a side event of Web Summit in Lisbon, where the programme will celebrate the entrepreneurs whose innovations have stood out for their excellence, market potential and impact.

Building the Next Generation of European Startups

Since its launch, EIT Jumpstarter has helped transform promising ideas into viable businesses through entrepreneurial education, mentoring and access to Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem. Each year, the programme demonstrates that breakthrough innovation can emerge from any region, discipline or sector when talented innovators are given the right support to succeed.  

This year’s finalists embody that spirit. Their solutions address challenges ranging from healthcare and food systems to energy, advanced materials, urban mobility and sustainability. They represent not only the future of their industries, but also the next generation of entrepreneurs driving Europe’s innovation agenda forward. 

Congratulations to all 36 finalist teams. We look forward to seeing you pitch live on 21-22 October and celebrating the winners on 12 November.

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