Open Call for Proposals — Financial Support for Startups and Scale-ups

EIT Culture & Creativity has launched a new funding and growth promotion program with a total budget of 8.6 million EUR. It is designed to help creative tech companies become investment-ready, raise capital, and expand internationally. The call for proposals includes two complementary programs: Details

• Shape Acceleration: Up to 200,000 EUR for companies that have validated a concrete market need through initial market and business successes and are preparing for investment and growth.
• Scale Post-Acceleration: Up to 500,000 EUR for companies with proven market acceptance that are actively raising capital or have recently secured funding and are ready to expand internationally.

A new generation of creative tech companies is currently emerging in Europe, characterized by a strong market presence, innovative business models, and international ambitions. However, access to growth capital remains a challenge. EIT Culture & Creativity’s funding and growth programs help founders accelerate their path to investment readiness, commercial scaling, and international growth —through funding, coaching, access to investors, and industry connections.

The Shape Acceleration and Scale Post-Acceleration programs offer tailored support from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. In addition, they provide opportunities to connect with investors and corporate partners, as well as a presence at major European events.

In addition to funding and the accelerator program, selected companies will become part of EIT Culture & Creativity’s “100-to-Watch” portfolio —a curated list of particularly promising creative tech companies.

With support from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)—which was recognized by Sifted as Europe’s top-performing startup investor —EIT Culture & Creativity’s funding and growth programs are designed to empower the next generation of European creative tech scale-ups.

The application period for the Class of 2027 is now open to companies in the fashion, architecture, and audiovisual media sectors. The application deadline is October 12, 2026.

In future rounds of calls for proposals, the funding area will be expanded to include gaming and cultural heritage, in addition to the existing priority areas.