Call for application to participate in the EIT Culture & Creativity Incubation Programmes in Architecture and Cultural Heritage 2025

Description

EIT CULTURE & CREATIVITY’S INCUBATION PROGRAMME 2025 Building on its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI), EIT Culture & Creativity is launching the Spark Programme (Incubation). This initiative supports aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage start-ups in developing innovative solutions within Architecture and Cultural Heritage, offering structured training, mentorship, and strategic guidance to transform ideas into viable businesses. The Spark Programme is a regular open call featuring an 8–10 week incubation programme designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to launch and grow their businesses. Key Features: Structured Training & Mentorship – including a 2–3 day in-person kick-off event, personalised coaching, and expert mentoring. Entrepreneurial Mindset Development – focused on resilience, problem-solving, and opportunity recognition. Business Model & Market Validation – guidance to define business models and identify market opportunities. Product Development – support for building and testing Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Legal & Financial Fundamentals – including IP, contracts, and financial planning. Pitching & Presentation Skills – coaching for investor and stakeholder engagement. Networking & Strategic Connections – access to mentors, industry experts, and potential partners. The call was originally launched on 6 May 2025. It is now also published on the Funding & Tenders Portal for transparency and traceability purposes

Beneficiary & submission

Submission & Evaluation Process Step 1: Submit your application Applicants must complete and submit their proposals via the official EIT Culture & Creativity application platform by 11 July 2025 at 17:00 CET. Applications must be submitted in English and include: Completed online form Video presentation (max. 3 minutes) Declaration of Honour Step 2: Admissibility & Eligibility Check All proposals will undergo a formal check to ensure: Timely submission Completion of all required documents Eligibility of the applicant(s): Individuals or teams from EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries Alignment with the call’s thematic focus (Architecture or Cultural Heritage) Step 3: External Evaluation Eligible proposals will be assessed by independent experts across four criteria: Strategic Fit – Relevance to EIT CC’s priority areas and incubation goals Excellence – Innovation potential, clarity of idea, and problem-solution fit Impact – Market potential and social/cultural value Implementation – Feasibility, commitment, and team capacity Each criterion is scored, with a maximum total of 100 points. Step 4: Final Selection Projects scoring at least 60/100 may be recommended for participation. The final list of selected proposals will be confirmed by EIT Culture & Creativity’s Selection Committee, considering also portfolio balance and strategic fit. Step 5: Notification & Onboarding Successful applicants will be informed in August 2025 and must confirm their participation. They will be onboarded and required to attend the kick-off activities starting 22 September 2025.

Further information

https://eit-culture-creativity.eu/incubation-programme-2025/