EIT Regional Innovation Booster Hungary 2027

EIT Regional Innovation Booster Hungary 2027 is a seven-month market access programme delivered by EIT Urban Mobility with support from the Hungarian National Innovation Agency to help mature Hungarian for‑profit SMEs validate and enter a new European market. Eight companies will be selected and each receives a fixed €2,500 lump-sum travel and conference package plus in-kind support including mentoring, a matched Buddy, workshops and international matchmaking. Eligible applicants are Hungarian-registered for‑profit SMEs with at least three full-time employees, ownership or exclusive commercialization rights to the relevant IP, demonstrated product‑market fit in Hungary and commercial traction, and activity in an EIT thematic area. Applications must be submitted via the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite) by 15 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time and successful proposals are evaluated by a three‑member panel with a minimum threshold of 18/30.

What it funds

Core support package

A seven-month international market-access programme for mature, innovation-driven Hungarian start-ups. Support includes tailored mentoring (20 hours Phase 1), a matched local Buddy (40 hours Phase 2), group workshops, international matchmaking, and a €2,500 lump-sum travel and conference grant per selected company.

Total budget and awards:Total EIT funding: €20,000. Eight Hungarian start-ups will be selected; each receives a fixed €2,500 lump-sum travel and conference package ¹.

1. 1Application deadline: 15 October 2026, 17:00 CET
2. 2Programme period (tentative): December 2026 to June 2027 (7 months, two phases)
3. 3Cohort size: 8 companies

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are for-profit SMEs legally registered in Hungary that:have at least 3 full-time employees; hold full ownership or exclusive commercialisation rights to the IP behind the solution; demonstrate product-market fit and commercial traction in Hungary; and operate in one of the EIT thematic areas (Climate, Digital, Food & Agritech, Healthcare, Energy & Renewables, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, or Culture & Creativity).

Selection & evaluation

Proposals are evaluated by a panel (two external + one internal evaluator) against Excellence, Implementation and Impact (total 30 points). Minimum threshold to be considered is 18/30. Selected applicants enter validation and contracting before payment.

How to apply:Submit via the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite). Required documents include the completed online application, a company registration certificate (Hungary), and a 4-minute English pitch video. Register your organisation on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal to obtain a PIC before NetSuite registration.

• Mandatory: pitch video (max 4 minutes, in English) and company registration certificate
• Payments: €2,500 lump-sum disbursed in month 4 after Phase 1 deliverable approval and contract signature
• Participation requires founder- or C-level engagement and attendance to mandatory workshops

Contact and info session:questions to evelin.szasz@eiturbanmobility.eu. Info webinar held 21 September 2026; see call page for registration and full Call Manual Call page.

Footnotes

1. 1The €2,500 is a predefined lump sum per selected start-up to support in-person market-entry activities in Phase 2. See Call Manual and Guidelines for Applicants for payment conditions and deliverable requirements.

Core facts and purpose

The EIT Regional Innovation Booster (EIT RIB) Hungary 2027 is a seven-month international market-access programme run by EIT Urban Mobility (on behalf of the EIT Community Regional Innovation & Internationalisation Cluster) with support from the Hungarian National Innovation Agency (NIÜ). It targets mature, innovation-driven Hungarian for-profit SMEs and selects a single cohort of eight companies to validate and implement an executable market entry into a chosen European target market. The programme provides intensive mentoring, a Buddy system for hands-on market entry support, workshops, matchmaking and a fixed €2,500 lump-sum travel and conference package per participant. The programme runs (tentatively) from December 2026 to June 2027. Applications open 15 September 2026 and close 15 October 2026 at 17:00 CET.

Submission and portal:Applications must be submitted via the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite). Organisations must have a valid PIC on the EU Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal and be registered in NetSuite before submission. The NetSuite Partner Information Form (PIF) is required. Detailed submission steps are in Section 7 of the Call Manual Call Manual. ¹

Eligibility and applicant requirements

Eligibility is strict and documented in the Call Manual. Only entities meeting all admissibility, eligibility and exclusion criteria proceed to evaluation.

1. 1Applicant legal status: for-profit SME according to the EU definition.
2. 2Registration: legally registered in Hungary (company registration certificate mandatory).
3. 3Team size: at least 3 full-time employees (FTEs) at time of application.
4. 4Intellectual property: must hold full ownership of, or exclusive exploitation/commercialisation rights to, the IP for the solution to be taken abroad (exceptions and active securing of rights are considered if explained).
5. 5Product maturity: novel product/service/technology or deep tech with demonstrated product-market fit in Hungary and proven commercial traction (evidence required).
6. 6Thematic alignment: operating in one of the EIT thematic areas — Climate; Digital; Food & Agritech; Healthcare; Energy and Renewables; Raw Materials; Urban Mobility; or Culture & Creativity.

Structured answers to categorisation questions

Eligible Applicant Types

Primary eligible applicants:for-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in Hungary, specifically start-ups and scale-ups that meet the SME definition and the minimum staff requirement (>=3 FTEs). Secondary related stakeholders referenced in the call context: EIT KICs, mentors, Buddy operators and KIC partners act as programme implementers or service providers but are not the target applicants. Public entities, non-profits or individuals are not eligible as beneficiaries for this call unless they meet the for-profit SME criteria and Hungarian registration requirement.

Funding Type

Primary financial mechanism:lump-sum grant (fixed pre-defined financial support). The call budget is allocated as a lump sum travel and conference package of €2,500 paid to each selected start-up (8 beneficiaries), totalling €20,000 for the call.

Consortium Requirement

Single applicant requirement:participants apply as single legal entities (individual start-ups). The call selects individual start-ups — no multi-beneficiary consortium is required or expected. The programme allows engagement with mentors, Buddy operators and KIC partners, but applicants submit as single eligible SMEs.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

Geographic eligibility:applicants must be legally established and registered in Hungary. The programme is country-based (EIT RIB Hungary) and targeted at Hungarian SMEs. The target market for international expansion is a European market chosen by each participant, but eligibility of applicants is limited to Hungarian-registered for-profit SMEs.

Target Sector

Sectors (thematic areas):applications must fall within one of the EIT themes listed in Annex 2. These are: Climate (place-based local climate innovation), Digital (Digital Tech, Digital Cities, Digital Industry, Digital Wellbeing, Digital Finance), Food & Agritech, Healthcare, Energy and Renewables, Raw Materials (metals, minerals, industrial side streams), Urban Mobility, and Culture & Creativity (audiovisual media, fashion, architecture, gaming, cultural heritage, etc.).

Mentioned Countries

Explicitly mentioned country:Hungary (applicants must be Hungarian-registered). The call refers to European target markets for expansion but does not list individual target countries as eligible applicant locations. The call excludes legal entities established in Russia, Belarus and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine from participation in any capacity. Other regions/countries referenced are EU and EIT Community KICs.

Project Stage

Expected maturity:development onward — mature, innovation-driven start-ups/scale-ups with demonstrated product-market fit and commercial traction in Hungary. The programme expects operational offerings and readiness for international expansion (validation, market entry and early market traction). Typical stage descriptors: commercialization, validation and demonstration ready for initial internationalisation and scale-up activities.

Funding Amount

Funding scale:fixed lump-sum €2,500 per selected start-up, allocated to 8 companies (total call budget €20,000). The €2,500 is intended as a travel and conference package to support in-person engagement in the chosen target market and is disbursed as a lump sum in month 4 after Phase 1 completion, conditional on contracting and submission/approval of DEL 1.

Application Type

Call type and submission:open competitive single-stage call (Multi-Topic Call) with a single submission deadline (15 October 2026 17:00 CET). Applicants apply through an open call using the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite) and must complete the online application form and upload required supporting documents.

Nature of Support

Mixed support:monetary and non-monetary. Monetary support consists of the €2,500 lump-sum payment. Non-monetary support is substantial and includes in-kind expert mentoring (20 hours Phase 1), Buddy support (up to 40 hours Phase 2), workshops, guest speakers, international matchmaking, and access to EIT Community events and networks.

Application Stages (process overview)

Application and selection involve multiple sequential stages:(1) submission (NetSuite) and admissibility check, (2) eligibility and exclusion checks (including verification of SME status, Hungarian registration, IP ownership/right), (3) quality evaluation by an Evaluation Panel (two external experts and one internal expert) scored across six criteria (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) with a maximum of 30 points, (4) ranking and selection of top-scoring proposals above threshold, (5) validation and contracting (legal entity validation, Declaration of Honour, financial checks where relevant), and (6) programme onboarding and implementation. There is also a 30-day standstill period between communication of results and contract signature. Practically, applicants must pass at least three distinct decision gates (admissibility/eligibility; quality evaluation; validation/contracting) to receive funding.

Success Rates

Numeric success rates are not provided in the documentation. Selection capacity is fixed:8 places. Only proposals scoring >=18/30 are eligible for funding; if more than eight reach the threshold, selection follows ranking and tie-break rules (higher Internationalisation Readiness score then Market Opportunity score). Therefore, the maximum number of funded beneficiaries is 8 and the residual acceptance depends on the total number of eligible applicants and their scores.

Co-funding Requirement

Co-funding is not required or requested by the call. The only direct financial support is the fixed lump-sum of €2,500 per start-up. No matching funds, own contribution or cost reporting for the lump sum is demanded in the Call Manual. However, applicants must commit to active program participation, dedicate founder/C-level time, and may need to cover additional travel or operational costs beyond the lump sum at their own expense. Participation and Financial Support Agreement defines the payment conditions and obligations.

Templates and application form structure

Templates and mandatory supporting documents are provided or referenced on the call page and in the Call Manual/Guidelines. Key required documents and templates include: the online application form in NetSuite, Company registration certificate (PDF), pitch video (up to 4 minutes, English, founder or senior management presenting), Declaration of Honour (template provided on the call page), Participation and Financial Support Agreement (FSA) template (under development), and deliverable templates for DEL 1 Market Landing Package and DEL 2 Market Expansion Report that EIT Urban Mobility will provide. The application form is divided into Main Information, Project Scope and Supporting Documents and includes fields and character limits for executive summary, keywords, business information, thematic area, IP status, innovation & competitive advantage, market opportunity & traction, team & execution capacity, internationalisation readiness, impact & scalability, validated traction evidence and the pitch video link.

Evaluation and scoring

Quality evaluation is performed by a three-member Evaluation Panel (two external experts and one internal expert). Each evaluator scores six sub-criteria (Innovation & Competitive Advantage; Market Opportunity & Commercial Potential; Team & Execution Capacity; Internationalisation Readiness; Impact & Scalability; Validated Traction & Evidence) with 0-5 points each. Total maximum score is 30 (Excellence 10, Impact 10, Implementation 10). Threshold for funding consideration is 18/30. In case more than eight proposals meet the threshold, ranking and tie-break rules apply: higher Internationalisation Readiness wins ties, then Market Opportunity & Commercial Potential.

Deliverables, KPIs and programme operation

Two compulsory deliverables track progress and are linked to payment:(DEL 1) Market Landing Package — an international expansion strategy, commercial action plan and stakeholder mapping (PowerPoint or Word) due end of Phase 1 (Month 3) and (DEL 2) Market Expansion Report — final summary of market entry activities, evidence of initial market traction and an updated investor pitch deck due end of programme (Month 7). The programme also tracks EIT KPIs including market-launched innovations, KIC-supported start-ups in EIT RIS countries and investment attracted by supported start-ups. Attendance to six mandatory group workshops, active mentor/Buddy engagement and founder/C-level participation are compulsory programme conditions.

Risks, exclusions and legal terms

Standard EU exclusion and integrity rules apply:entities under bankruptcy, convicted for fraud/corruption, with serious breaches in procurement/grant obligations, or otherwise subject to exclusion may be barred. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures, legal entities established in Russia, Belarus or non-government-controlled Ukrainian territories are ineligible. Special provisions apply to Hungarian public interest trusts and entities affected by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506. Selected applicants undergo legal validation and contracting; EIT Urban Mobility can recover funds or withdraw awards in case of breach, fraud or misrepresentation.

How to prepare a competitive application

Focus applications on the scoring criteria:clearly demonstrate innovation and defensible competitive advantage; provide verifiable traction (paying customers, revenue, signed LOIs, paid pilots or granted IP); present a realistic and well-justified choice of European target market and a concrete, executable go-to-market plan for the seven-month timeframe; showcase a committed founding team with capacity for international execution and willingness to engage with mentoring and the Buddy system; prepare the DEL 1 Market Landing Package content early as it is required for payment and programme progression; and ensure all mandatory documents (Hungarian registration, pitch video uploaded as an accessible link and NetSuite PIF/PIC) are correctly provided before the deadline.

1. 1Prepare a concise pitch video (<=4 minutes, English) that covers problem, solution, traction, international ambition and team and ensure the presenter will participate in the programme.
2. 2Gather verifiable evidence of traction: contracts, revenue figures, pilot confirmations, LOIs, customer references and IP status.
3. 3Decide early which European market you will target and document the rationale and first-priority stakeholders to enable fast Buddy matching.
4. 4Register PIC on EU Portal and complete NetSuite Partner Information Form well in advance of the deadline (registration can take up to two working days).
5. 5Use the provided deliverable templates and deadlines to prepare DEL 1 and DEL 2 content in advance.

Timeline and financial breakdown

Contacts, guidance and further documentation

Primary contact for queries:Evelin Regina Szasz (EIT RIB Hungary Lead) evelin.szasz@eiturbanmobility.eu. The Call Manual and Guidelines for Applicants contain full procedural, eligibility, evaluation, contractual and IP rules and must be consulted during preparation. Deliverable templates, Declaration of Honour template and the Participation and Financial Support Agreement template are available on the call page or will be shared during contracting.

This opportunity is part of the Cross-KIC EIT Regional Innovation & Internationalisation Business Plan 2026 and is implemented under grant agreement 101270107 (26-28 XKIC RII).

General summary — what is this opportunity about and how to explain it

EIT RIB Hungary 2027 is a focused, time-limited internationalisation booster for Hungarian for-profit SMEs that are already commercially active in Hungary and ready to expand to a European market. The programme combines targeted financial support (a small, fixed €2,500 lump sum per company to support travel and in-person engagement) with substantial in-kind services: structured mentoring (20 hours in Phase 1), an experienced local market Buddy (up to 40 hours in Phase 2) who provides hands-on market entry assistance and warm introductions, group workshops, guest speakers, and international matchmaking. The selection is competitive: proposals are evaluated on innovation, validated traction, team capacity, internationalisation readiness and impact. Eight companies will be selected, and successful applicants must commit to active participation, deliver two mandatory deliverables (Market Landing Package and Market Expansion Report), and sign the Participation and Financial Support Agreement. The call is open to Hungarian-registered for-profit SMEs operating in the EIT thematic areas and meeting staff, IP and traction conditions. Applicants should prepare a concise pitch video, robust evidence of market traction, a clear market entry rationale and ensure timely registration and submission through NetSuite to be considered.

Footnotes

1. 1The Call Manual provides full procedural and eligibility detail and is available on the EIT Urban Mobility website: eiturbanmobility.eu

The EIT Regional Innovation Booster Hungary 2027 is a seven month international market access programme for mature Hungarian start ups and scale ups that want to validate and enter a new European market, delivered with support from EIT Urban Mobility and the Hungarian National Innovation Agency. It will select eight companies, each receiving a 2,500 euro travel and conference package, and the programme is scheduled to run from December 2026 to June 2027.[1][2][10]

Opportunity overview

The call is designed to help innovative Hungarian SMEs build a market entry strategy, connect with target market stakeholders, and gain practical guidance through mentoring, workshops, guest speaker sessions, a Buddy system, and international matchmaking. The application deadline is 15 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time, and the programme is expected to start in December 2026 after evaluation and contracting in November 2026.[1][2][10]

What the funding is about

The programme supports Hungarian ventures that already have domestic traction and are ready to expand internationally. Its purpose is not general company financing, but structured market access support for entering a chosen European market with a stronger commercial strategy, relevant contacts, and hands on operational support.[1][2][10]

The programme is structured in two phases. Phase 1 covers market preparation through group workshops, expert sessions, and up to 20 hours of one to one mentoring. Phase 2 covers market expansion through up to 40 hours with a matched Buddy who knows the target market and sector, plus continued workshops, guest speakers, matchmaking, and optional participation in EIT Community events.[1][2][10]

Who can apply

• For profit SME according to the EU definition
• Registered in Hungary
• At least 3 full time employees at the time of application
• Full ownership of, or exclusive commercialisation rights to, the intellectual property behind the solution to be taken abroad
• Novel product, service, technology, or deep tech solution with demonstrated product market fit in Hungary and proven commercial traction
• Active in one of the EIT thematic areas: Climate, Digital, Food and Agritech, Healthcare, Energy and Renewables, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, or Culture and Creativity

The call is aimed at mature, innovation driven Hungarian companies with a committed founding team and a clear ambition to expand internationally within the next 6 to 12 months. The manual also expects applicants to show that the solution is operational and that commercial traction is real, not only projected.

Funding amount and support package

Each selected company receives a fixed 2,500 euro lump sum travel and conference package. The total budget for the call is 20,000 euro, which is allocated across the eight selected companies, so the funding rate is effectively a flat per participant support amount rather than a reimbursement rate or a variable project budget.[1][2][10]

• 20 hours of one to one expert mentoring in Phase 1
• Up to 40 hours with a matched EIT RIB Buddy in Phase 2
• Go to market workshops and guest speaker sessions across the full programme
• International matchmaking and access to the wider EIT Community
• 2,500 euro lump sum travel and conference package for in person market entry activities
• Optional participation in relevant EIT Community events

Key participation conditions

• Participation is conditional on signing the Participation and Financial Support Agreement
• The Phase 1 deliverable must be submitted and approved before the lump sum payment is made
• The support is paid in month 4 after Phase 1 is completed
• Each company may designate a maximum of two co founding members or management representatives as official participants
• Founder or senior level participation is expected throughout the programme
• Selected companies must attend all six mandatory group workshops
• Applicants must submit the chosen target market and a short rationale by the end of month 2
• Deliverables are compulsory and linked to payment and reporting

Deliverables and programme outputs

1. 1DEL 1 Market Landing Package, due at the end of Phase 1, containing the international expansion strategy, commercial action plan, stakeholder mapping, and initial target customer, partner, and investor introductions
2. 2DEL 2 Market Expansion Report, due at the end of the programme, summarising market entry activities and outcomes, evidence of initial traction, and an updated investor pitch deck reflecting international expansion progress

Evaluation and selection

Proposals are checked first for admissibility, eligibility, and exclusion criteria, and only then assessed for quality by an evaluation panel made up of two external experts and one internal expert. The final score is out of 30, with 18 points as the minimum threshold for funding consideration, and the eight highest scoring eligible proposals are selected, with a reserve list created if needed.

• Innovation and competitive advantage
• Market opportunity and commercial potential
• Team and execution capacity
• Internationalisation readiness
• Impact and scalability
• Validated traction and evidence

If there is a tie, the higher score on internationalisation readiness is decisive, followed by the higher score on market opportunity and commercial potential.

Submission requirements

• Application form completed in English
• Valid company registration certificate confirming legal incorporation in Hungary
• Pitch video of up to 4 minutes, in English, with a founder or senior manager appearing on camera for at least part of the video
• Registration in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal to obtain a PIC number
• Registration in the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal and completion of the Partner Information Form

The pitch video should explain the company and problem, traction, international ambition, and team. The application must be complete and must respect the character limits and document rules set in the call guidance.

Important eligibility and compliance restrictions

• Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are not eligible
• Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible, with limited exceptions only where explicitly allowed
• Hungarian public interest trusts established under Act IX of 2021 and entities they maintain are not eligible for funded roles while the relevant Council measures remain in force
• Applicants may be excluded for bankruptcy, tax or social security breaches, grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, or attempts to influence the process
• Applicants retain ownership of their prior information and intellectual property, but must have the legal rights needed to use and commercialise the solution

What applicants should know before applying

This call is best suited to Hungarian companies that already have revenue, paying customers, pilots, letters of intent, or other verifiable traction, and that can show a realistic route into a specific European market within seven months. Strong applications will combine clear differentiation, market understanding, team capacity, and a concrete internationalisation plan with credible evidence of demand.

The call is open for submission, and an information session is scheduled for 21 September 2026 at 11:00 CET for applicants seeking practical guidance on the call content and submission process.[1][2][10]