Application process commences for EIT Jumpstarter 2025
EIT Jumpstarter 2025: A Pre-Acceleration Program for Innovators
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has launched the EIT Jumpstarter 2025, an eight-month pre-acceleration program designed for scientists, researchers, and innovators. This program offers a unique opportunity for early-stage innovators to validate their ideas, develop business skills, and connect with Europe's largest innovation network.
Program Overview
EIT Jumpstarter 2025 aims to boost entrepreneurship and innovation in Central-Eastern and Southern Europe. The program selects 190 teams through an online training process and provides expert training and mentorship from industry leaders. Participants undergo business model validation, market segmentation, customer value proposition development, financial and legal basics, and investment readiness training based on the lean startup model.
Eligibility
The program is primarily targeted at scientists, researchers, and innovators with innovative ideas they want to develop into business models and startups. Participants often come from prospective startups, universities, and research institutions. The precise eligibility for the 2025 call may be detailed in the specific call documents.
Categories
The program operates across several categories linked to different EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), which cover broad fields such as health, climate, digital, energy, and more. Specific categories for 2025 would be detailed in the official call documents.
Benefits for Participants
All teams receive support for travel and accommodation during the program. The best team in each category has the chance to win a €10,000 prize. Participants gain exposure to Europe's largest innovation network, including access to mentors, investors, innovation hubs, and market opportunities across Europe. The program fosters entrepreneurship specifically aimed at creating sustainable innovation impact in regions that include Central-Eastern and Southern Europe.
Special Categories
Notably, the EIT Jumpstarter 2025 program includes a "Rebuild Ukraine" category for Ukrainian innovators. Applicants can submit early-stage product and service ideas in categories such as health, food and agriculture, raw materials, energy and renewable energy, smart cities and mobility, and manufacturing.
Success Stories
Since its launch in 2017, EIT Jumpstarter has trained over 1,300 young talents and helped establish 124 start-ups. Last year, Latvia's NEAMO was among the main winners. The team developed an integrated sensor system for autonomous vessels to automatically monitor fish farms.
The Competition
The competition culminates in November, where the final 48 teams will compete for cash prizes and exposure to Europe's largest innovation network-EIT. The program concludes with a pitch to investors and potential partners.
For the most accurate details on the eligibility criteria and categories for the specific 2025 call, review the official EIT Jumpstarter Next 2025 call documents published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applications for EIT Jumpstarter 2025 are open until 2 April.
[1] EIT Jumpstarter 2025: Link to official website [4] EIT Jumpstarter: Link to official website [5] EIT Jumpstarter Next 2025 Call: Link to official call documents
- The EIT Jumpstarter 2025 program is designed for innovators, focusing on scientists and researchers, who want to develop their ideas into business ventures.
- This pre-acceleration program offers opportunities for early-stage innovators to validate their ideas, develop business skills, and connect with Europe's largest innovation network.
- The program covers various categories linked to different EIT KICs, including health, climate, digital, energy, and more, providing a platform for diverse innovation.
- Applicants from Central-Eastern and Southern Europe are particularly encouraged to apply, with an aim to boost entrepreneurship and innovation in these regions.
- Successful participants stand to benefit from support for travel and accommodation, access to mentors, investors, innovation hubs, and market opportunities across Europe.
- The program fosters entrepreneurship aimed at creating sustainable innovation impact in target regions, offering a unique chance for small businesses to grow and thrive.
- In addition to the regular categories, the 2025 program includes a special "Rebuild Ukraine" category for Ukrainian innovators, focusing on areas such as health, agriculture, energy, smart cities, and manufacturing.
- The competition's conclusion in November sees the top 48 teams pitching to investors and potential partners, with the winners receiving cash prizes and increased exposure in Europe's innovation sector.
- Aspiring participants are advised to review the official EIT Jumpstarter Next 2025 call documents for accurate details on eligibility criteria and categories, as applications close on 2 April.
