Calling2Scale Gunma: Gateway to Japan 2026 – Call for Applications

Read more about the programme on Calling2Scale Gunma webpage (there you will find the call guidelines, application portal link, handbook, etc.). Applications must be submitted in English through the MyEITFood portal by 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. Applications submitted by email, submitted after the deadline or incomplete will not be accepted. Each applicant may submit only one application and must address one of the innovation challenge areas presented by the participating Japanese corporates.

The selection process consists of:

1. Eligibility and admissibility check

Applicants must be legally incorporated in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country eligible for Pillar III activities; provide a PIC number; offer a market-ready product at Technology Readiness Level 7 or higher; and have completed at least one funding round.

Applications must be complete, submitted on time through the MyEITFood portal, written entirely in English and relevant to one of the programme’s thematic challenge areas.

2. Phase 1: evaluation of the application form

Each eligible application is assessed by an independent external evaluator against three criteria:

• Excellence
• Impact
• Quality and efficiency of implementation

Each criterion is scored from 0 to 5. Applicants must achieve at least 11 out of 15 points overall, with a minimum score of 3 out of 5 for each criterion. Up to five of the highest-ranked threshold-passing applicants per participating corporate are invited to Phase 2.

3. Phase 2: online interview

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview of up to 30 minutes with representatives of Gunma Prefecture, participating Gunma-based companies and EIT Food. The interview assesses the start-up’s overall suitability and fit for the programme. The interview criterion is scored from 0 to 5, with a minimum required score of 3.

4. Final ranking

The Phase 1 application score accounts for 60% of the final score and the Phase 2 interview score accounts for 40%. The highest-scoring applications are selected, subject to the available places and portfolio-composition rules. A maximum of 14 start-ups will be selected.

All applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome and will receive structured evaluation feedback.

Read more about the programme on Calling2Scale Gunma webpage. Calling2Scale Gunma: Gateway to Japan 2026 is a curated international market-entry and corporate-collaboration programme for advanced European start-ups seeking to enter the Japanese market.

The programme connects selected start-ups with Gunma Prefecture and participating Japanese corporates to translate validated innovation needs into collaboration opportunities, Proof-of-Concept pathways, pilot projects and market-entry roadmaps.

Who can apply

Applicants must:

• Be a legally incorporated entity established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country eligible for Pillar III activities
• Provide a PIC number
• Have a market-ready product at TRL 7 or higher
• Have completed at least one funding round, such as seed or later
• Offer a solution relevant to one of the participating Japanese corporates’ innovation challenges

Required supporting documents include:

• Incorporation or registration certificate
• Evidence demonstrating TRL 7 or higher
• Evidence of at least one completed funding round
• Pitch deck

Programme support

Selected start-ups will participate in:

• Six online market-entry training sessions
• Structured one-to-one meetings with participating Japanese corporates
• A five-day Immersion Lab in Gunma and Tokyo
• Corporate site visits, matchmaking, workshops and Proof-of-Concept scoping
• Closing sessions focused on follow-up and next steps

Financial support

Each selected start-up will receive a pre-fixed lump-sum sub-grant of €2,200 to support travel and accommodation connected with participation in the Immersion Lab in Japan. Financial support is awarded per start-up, irrespective of the number of participating team members.

Application period

Opening date: 3 August 2026

Deadline: 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET

Applications must be submitted through the MyEITFood portal.