Financial Support to Startups and Scaleups (Shape Accelerator & Scale Post-Accelerator)

Description

This call provides financial support and structured growth support to startups and scaleups with high growth potential operating in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). It targets ventures developing tech-enabled, market-driven, and IP-leveraged solutions capable of scaling commercially, generating economic and societal value, and strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s creative economy. Through a single application process, companies may access different funding and support depending on their stage of development and investment readiness. Financial Support to Growth-stage Ventures (Shape Acceleration Programme) is designed for early-stage startups that have validated an initial market need and are beginning to generate traction, revenues, or pilot customers, but still require support to strengthen product-market fit, refine their business model, and prepare for larger-scale commercial growth and future investment. Selected ventures may receive initial financial support of up to EUR 100,000, complemented by structured business development, mentoring and investment-readiness support through the EIT Culture & Creativity Shape Acceleration Programme. During the programme’s Demo Day, up to four Shape ventures may be selected to receive additional financial support of up to EUR 100,000, subject to the conditions specified in the Call Guidelines. Financial Support to Scaling-stage Ventures (Scale Post-Acceleration Programme) targets mature startups and scale-ups that have already demonstrated strong product-market fit, recurring revenues, customer growth, and international scaling potential, and are now seeking to accelerate expansion through external investment and market scaling. Selected ventures may receive financial support of up to EUR 200,000 for non-RIS-based ventures and eligible ventures already included in the EIT Culture & Creativity 100-to-Watch portfolio, or up to EUR 500,000 for eligible RIS-based ventures. This call is open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Beneficiary & submission

Applications must be submitted through the electronic submission platform between 10/08/2026 and 12/10/2026, 17:00 CET (Berlin time). Applicants must submit the application form, a Pitch Deck, proof of company registration, the budget plan and EIT Culture & Creativity funding template, at least one form of tangible evidence of the solution in action, latest available company financial information, and any other additional required document for Shape or Scale applications as specified in the Call Guidelines. After the submission deadline, EIT Culture & Creativity will carry out a structured evaluation process. First, the PMO will perform the admissibility and eligibility check. Proposals passing this stage will proceed to an external quality evaluation by three independent expert evaluators against the award criteria, including the Horizon Europe award criteria. Proposals passing the quality evaluation will then be assessed in the internal portfolio selection stage by the EIT Culture & Creativity Selection Committee, covering aspects such as KIC portfolio strategic fit and compliance with the financial sustainability objectives. The indicative evaluation period runs from October to December 2026. Results are expected to be communicated by mid-December 2026, followed by a 30-calendar-day standstill period. Publication of results is expected by mid-January 2027, and signature of the Subgrant agreement – Project agreement is planned for January 2027, subject to the completion of procedural, contracting and legal entity validation checks.

Further information

Applicants may submit questions through the official EIT Culture & Creativity Contact Form. Questions submitted during the call period will be anonymised, reviewed and, where appropriate, published on the call page to ensure equal access to information for all applicants. Two online information sessions for this call will take place on 27/08/2026 at 11:00 CEST and on 22/09/2026 at 15:00 CEST. Registration is required through the registration form. The Teams meeting link will be shared with registered participants after registration. The session will cover the call content, topics and requirements, as well as general procedures such as the submission and evaluation process. The session will be recorded and made available on the EIT Culture & Creativity website.