Call for financial support to startups and scaleups

Key Features

EIT Culture & Creativity invites startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries that are looking to accelerate growth, attract investment, and expand internationally to apply for financial support under the Shape Acceleration Programme and Scale Post-Acceleration Programme.

Programme:     EIT Culture & Creativity

Award:     EUR 500,00

Opens: 10th Aug 2026

Closes: 12th Oct 2026

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Grant Overview

EIT Culture and Creativity invites startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries to apply for a share of up to EUR 500,000 in the Shape Acceleration Programme and Scale Post-Acceleration Programme.

Grant Scope

The aim of this competition is to accelerate the growth, scaling, and investment readiness of high-potential ventures in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries.

Topics to be addressed:

  • 2027 Cohort (start January 2027): Fashion, Architecture, Audio Visual Media.
  • Additional cohorts covering additional topics will be announced later.

Briefing event 22nd September 2026 – Info session: Call for financial support to startups and scaleups

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries operating in the following 2027 cohort areas: Fashion, Architecture, Audio-Visual Media.

Be a for profit company. NGOs, associations, cooperatives, and foundations are not eligible and have at least one founder working full time on the venture.

Expected Effects and Impacts: The activities delivered under this Call are expected to contribute to the achievement of EIT Culture & Creativity’s Business Creation KPIs, notably:

  • EITHE03.1 – Number of startups and scaleups supported by the KIC for at least two months in the reporting year
  • EITHE04.1 – Number of startups established in the reporting year
  • EITHE04.4 – Startups created having a financial transaction of at least €10 000 for a service/product (result of the KIC KAVA) sold to customers
  • EITHE06.1 – Total euro amount of private and public capital attracted within year N by supported startups and scale-up

Formal KPI ownership, consolidation and reporting to the EIT remain the responsibility of EIT Culture & Creativity.

 

Grant Funding

UK SMEs can receive financial support of up to €200,000, along with tailored venture development services designed to strengthen commercial execution, investment readiness, fundraising, and international market expansion.

UK applicants can receive funding as follows:

  • Shape Acceleration Programme: start-ups that have validated a market need through early traction, such as pilot customers or initial revenues, may receive up to EUR 100,000, plus up to an additional EUR 100,000 for top-ranked ventures following the Demo Day. Shape is designed for ventures that are ready to strengthen product-market fit, refine their business model, and prepare for future investment.
  • Scale Post-Acceleration Programme: Start-ups and scale-ups that have demonstrated product-market fit, recurring revenues, and international scaling potential may receive up to EUR 200,000. Scale is designed for ventures that are actively raising capital or have secured at least EUR 200,000 investment in the last 18 months and are ready to accelerate international expansion.

For further information on this competition, please see full details.

Full competition details