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

EIT Culture & Creativity is offering cascade funding totalling €8,600,000 to support tech-enabled startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries through two tracks: Shape Acceleration and Scale Post-Acceleration. Shape provides early-stage growth support with initial grants up to €100,000 (plus limited Demo Day top-ups) and Scale targets mature ventures with awards up to €200,000 or up to €500,000 for eligible RIS-based ventures. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries and must submit a single-stage electronic application with company registration, pitch deck, budget template, evidence of traction and recent financials. The call opens 10 August 2026 and closes 12 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time, with selected participants expected to engage in a 12-month programme from January to December 2027.

What it funds

Scope

Grants and structured growth support for tech-enabled, market-driven, IP-leveraged startups and scaleups operating in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). Support covers business development, mentoring, investment-readiness and direct financial awards tied to programme participation.

Key funding amounts:Shape (growth-stage): up to €100,000 initial; up to 4 Shape ventures may receive an additional up to €100,000 after Demo Day. Scale (scaling-stage): up to €200,000 (non-RIS or 100-to-Watch) or up to €500,000 (eligible RIS-based ventures). Total call funding approx. €8,600,000 ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
2. 2Project duration: participation expected January 2027 to December 2027 (12 months).
3. 3Submission: single-stage electronic submission between 10 Aug 2026 and 12 Oct 2026, 17:00 CET.

Application requires an application form, pitch deck, company registration proof, budget plan and funding template, evidence of the solution in action and recent financial information; evaluation includes admissibility check, external expert review and internal portfolio selection.

Footnotes

1. 1Call details and guidance available on the EIT Culture & Creativity call page: EIT Culture & Creativity call.

Call at a glance

Call title:Financial Support to Startups and Scaleups (Shape Accelerator & Scale Post-Accelerator). Opening date: 10 August 2026. Submission deadline: 12 October 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels/Berlin time). Expected duration of participation: 12 months (January 2027 to December 2027). Total funding available: €8,600,000. EU funded project: EITCC BP26-28 (Grant agreement number 101264271, HORIZON-EIT). This is a cascade funding call managed by EIT Culture & Creativity under the EITCULTURE Business Plan 2026.

Key objectives and scope

The 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 that develop tech-enabled, market-driven and IP-leveraged solutions capable of commercial scaling, generating economic and societal value, and strengthening Europe's creative economy. Through a single application process, applicants are routed to either the Shape Acceleration Programme (growth-stage) or the Scale Post-Acceleration Programme (scaling-stage) depending on stage and investment readiness.

Who should apply:Early-stage startups (growth-stage), mature startups and scaleups (scaling-stage), SMEs and other legal entities operating in Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries with tech-enabled, IP-leveraged solutions. Applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Eligible applicant types

Eligible applicant types based on the call text and task description:

1. 1Startups (early-stage ventures with validated initial market need and some traction).
2. 2Scaleups and mature startups (ventures with proven product-market fit, recurring revenues and international scaling potential).
3. 3SMEs (small and medium enterprises) active in CCSI that meet stage-specific criteria.
4. 4Private legal entities incorporated and registered in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
5. 5Other legal entities eligible under the call where they operate as commercial ventures in CCSI (this primarily includes entities structured as companies rather than research institutes or universities; the call text specifically addresses legal entities).

Funding type and nature of support

Primary funding mechanism:cascade funding in the form of grants/subgrants to selected companies. The opportunity includes both direct financial awards and structured non-financial support (business development, mentoring, investment-readiness, acceleration programme services). Beneficiaries therefore receive money and complementary non-monetary services.

Consortium requirement

The call is designed for individual legal entities (single beneficiary applicants). There is not a requirement to form a multi-partner consortium; companies apply individually. The application is company-focused and documents required are company registration, pitch deck, budget plan, evidence of solution in action and financials.

Beneficiary geographic eligibility

Open to legal entities established in European Union Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The call explicitly excludes applicants outside these territories unless they are legally established within the eligible jurisdictions.

Target sector and thematic focus

Primary sector:Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). The call targets technology-enabled solutions within the creative economy, including but not limited to digital cultural services, creative tech, immersive technologies, content and IP-driven business models, platforms supporting creative production/distribution, cultural data/analytics, tools for creative professionals, and other tech or IP-leveraged innovations serving cultural and creative markets.

Project maturity and target stage

The call covers two distinct project maturity categories:

1. 1Growth-stage (Shape Acceleration Programme): early-stage startups that have validated an initial market need, are generating initial traction, revenues or pilot customers, and need support to strengthen product-market fit and business model prior to scaling.
2. 2Scaling-stage (Scale Post-Acceleration Programme): mature startups and scaleups with strong product-market fit, recurring revenues, customer growth and international scaling potential seeking to accelerate expansion and attract external investment.

Funding amounts and budgetary details

Application method, required documents and templates

Application type:open competitive single-stage call with electronic submission. Applications must be submitted via the EIT Culture & Creativity electronic submission platform between 10/08/2026 and 12/10/2026, 17:00 CET.

1. 1Mandatory submission items (as specified in the call text): application form (electronic), Pitch Deck, proof of company registration, budget plan and EIT Culture & Creativity funding template, at least one form of tangible evidence of the solution in action (e.g., product demo, pilot agreement, user metrics), latest available company financial information (e.g., P&L, balance sheet, bank statements where applicable).
2. 2Additional documents: any other documents requested for Shape or Scale applications as specified in the Call Guidelines (applicants must consult the Call Guidelines for stage-specific attachments).
3. 3Questions and clarifications: applicants may submit questions via the official EIT Culture & Creativity Contact Form during the call period; anonymised Q&A may be published on the call page.

Templates and application structure:Applicants are required to use the EIT Culture & Creativity funding template for budget submissions and must prepare a Pitch Deck. The core application form will request company identification details, description of solution and market, value proposition, IP status, traction and metrics, business model, use of funds, milestones and KPIs for the 12-month participation, team and governance, and requested grant amount. Provide at least one tangible evidence item and the latest company financials. Consult the Call Guidelines for precise template fields and formatting.

Submission and evaluation process

Evaluation process overview:After the call closes, the Programme Management Office (PMO) performs an admissibility and eligibility check. Proposals passing this check proceed to external quality evaluation by three independent expert evaluators against award criteria (including Horizon Europe award criteria). Proposals that pass the quality evaluation are then subject to an internal portfolio selection by the EIT Culture & Creativity Selection Committee, which reviews portfolio strategic fit and compliance with financial sustainability objectives. Indicative evaluation period: October to December 2026. Results communicated by mid-December 2026, followed by a 30-calendar-day standstill period. Publication of results by mid-January 2027 and signature of Subgrant/Project Agreement planned for January 2027, pending checks.

1. 1Stage 1: Admissibility and eligibility check by PMO.
2. 2Stage 2: External quality evaluation by three independent expert evaluators against award criteria.
3. 3Stage 3: Internal portfolio selection by EIT Culture & Creativity Selection Committee (portfolio strategic fit and financial sustainability).

Evaluation criteria and decision drivers

The external evaluation uses award criteria including those aligned with Horizon Europe. Key decision drivers expected include: market potential and scalability, product-market fit and traction, quality and completeness of the business model, IP strategy and defensibility, team capability, quality and realism of requested budget and milestones, potential for economic and societal value within the CCSI, and strategic fit within EIT Culture & Creativity portfolio priorities.

Timelines and key dates

How to get clarifications and information sessions

Applicants may submit questions through the official EIT Culture & Creativity Contact Form. Questions submitted during the call will be anonymised and published where appropriate for transparency. Two online information sessions are scheduled: 27 August 2026 at 11:00 CEST and 22 September 2026 at 15:00 CEST. Registration is required and the sessions will be recorded and made available on the EIT Culture & Creativity website.

Application stages, success rates and co-funding

Number of application stages to obtain funding:three primary stages (admissibility/eligibility check, external quality evaluation, internal portfolio selection). Success rates: not provided in the call documents; therefore success rate from start to finish is unspecified and dependent on the number and quality of submissions against available budget. Co-funding requirement: the call text does not explicitly state a mandatory co-funding percentage for applicants. Applicants should consult the Call Guidelines and the EIT Culture & Creativity funding template for any requirements related to co-financing, in-kind contributions or specific budget rules for Shape or Scale awards.

Mentioned countries and geographic references

Explicitly mentioned geographic eligibility:EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. No individual Member States are singled out in the call text; the geographic scope is the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Other important applicant requirements and selection considerations

1. 1Applicants must be legal entities registered in eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries).
2. 2Applicants must submit required documentation (application form, Pitch Deck, company registration proof, budget template, tangible evidence of solution, latest company financial information).
3. 3Selection will consider both external evaluation scores and internal portfolio strategy fit; passing external evaluation does not guarantee selection if portfolio priorities and financial sustainability objectives are not met.
4. 4Shape applicants should be early-stage with validated problem-solution fit and initial traction; Scale applicants should demonstrate recurring revenues and international scaling potential.
5. 5RIS-status and inclusion in the EIT Culture & Creativity 100-to-Watch portfolio influence the maximum award amounts for Scale awards (RIS-based ventures may receive up to €500,000; non-RIS or EIT 100-to-Watch eligible ventures up to €200,000).

How awards are delivered and programme benefits

Awards are delivered as subgrants from the EIT Culture & Creativity cascade funding mechanism. In addition to financial awards, selected ventures will receive structured acceleration and post-acceleration support including business development guidance, mentoring, investment-readiness training and participation in Demo Day events where additional awards may be allocated. The programme aims to increase commercial scaling, investment readiness and portfolio-level impact for the creative economy sector.

Templates: application form structure (outline)

While the precise online application form fields are provided in the call portal and Call Guidelines, the application typically requires the following sections and attachments. Applicants should prepare these items in advance and use the EIT Culture & Creativity funding template for the budget.

1. 1Administrative details: company name, legal form, registration number, country of establishment, contact person and banking/legal entity validation details.
2. 2Project/venture summary: short description, stage (Shape or Scale), requested funding amount and requested programme pathway.
3. 3Problem and solution: description of the market need, solution description, technology and IP status, novelty and defensibility.
4. 4Market and business model: target markets, value proposition, revenue model, traction and key customers or pilot partners, international scaling plans.
5. 5Team and capabilities: founders, key staff, roles, track record and organisational setup.
6. 6Workplan and milestones: 12-month roadmap, key deliverables, KPIs and impact indicators.
7. 7Use of funds and budget template: detailed budget using the EIT Culture & Creativity funding template, justification of costs and financing plan.
8. 8Evidence of solution in action: product demo, pilot reports, user metrics, contracts or other tangible proof.
9. 9Financial information: latest company financial statements, P&L, balance sheet, and relevant financial metrics.
10. 10Declarations and compliance: legal declarations, adherence to Call Guidelines, consent to evaluation and data use.

Final summary and practical advice

This opportunity is a targeted cascade funding call by EIT Culture & Creativity to accelerate commercial scaling of tech-enabled ventures in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries. It provides a mix of grant funding and structured acceleration/post-acceleration services for two tracks: Shape (growth-stage, up to €100,000 initially plus possible additional Demo Day awards) and Scale (scaling-stage, up to €200,000 or up to €500,000 for eligible RIS-based ventures). Applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries and must submit a single-stage electronic application with a Pitch Deck, company registration, budget using the EIT template, tangible evidence of the solution, and latest financials. Evaluation comprises an admissibility check, external evaluation by three experts and an internal portfolio selection stage. Key dates: call opens 10 August 2026 and closes 12 October 2026 at 17:00 CET; results and contracting are expected between mid-December 2026 and mid-January 2027. Consult the Call Guidelines and the EIT Culture & Creativity portal for full rules, templates and stage-specific requirements. For clarifications, use the official contact form; attend the scheduled information sessions on 27/08/2026 and 22/09/2026. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Official call page and full Call Guidelines, templates and submission portal are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EIT Culture & Creativity — Financial Support to Startups and Scaleups

This is a cascade funding call under EIT Culture and Creativity for startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries, combining financial support with structured venture development services for businesses with commercial growth and scaling potential.[1][2]

Call type and budget:Cascade funding, single-stage, with total funding available of €8,600,000 and an indicative support volume of 50 ventures; the call page also states that the financial support may reimburse up to 100 percent of eligible project costs, subject to the no double funding rule.[1][2]

What the funding is about

The call is intended for tech-enabled, market-driven and IP-leveraged solutions that can scale commercially, generate economic and societal value, and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s creative economy.[2] Through one application process, applicants are assessed for either the Shape Acceleration Programme for growth-stage ventures or the Scale Post-Acceleration Programme for scaling-stage ventures.[2]

Who can apply

The opportunity is open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and the call page describes the target applicant profile as for-profit entities active in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries.[1][2] Applicants should already have a clear commercial proposition and evidence of traction appropriate to the stage they are applying for.[2]

Application requirements and documents

• Applications must be submitted through the electronic submission platform between 10 August 2026 and 12 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.[2]
• Applicants must submit the application form, a pitch deck, proof of company registration, the budget plan and EIT Culture and Creativity funding template, at least one form of tangible evidence of the solution in action, latest available company financial information, and any other documents required for Shape or Scale applications in the Call Guidelines.[2]
• The deadline model is single-stage, so there is no separate pre-proposal stage.[2]
• Applicants should align their submission with the stage specific expectations of the track they choose, especially evidence of market traction, revenues, customer growth or investment readiness.[2]

Evaluation and award process

After the deadline, the PMO first carries out admissibility and eligibility checks. Eligible proposals then go to external quality evaluation by three independent expert evaluators against the award criteria, including Horizon Europe award criteria, before an internal portfolio selection stage by the EIT Culture and Creativity Selection Committee, which also considers strategic fit and financial sustainability objectives.[2]

The indicative evaluation period runs from October to December 2026, results are expected by mid-December 2026, a 30-day standstill period follows, publication is expected by mid-January 2027, and signature of the subgrant agreement is planned for January 2027, subject to procedural, contracting and legal entity validation checks.[2]

Important dates and applicant support

• Opening date: 10 August 2026.[1][2]
• Application deadline: 12 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.[1][2]
• Expected duration of participation: 12 months, from January 2027 to December 2027.[2]
• Two online information sessions are scheduled for 27 August 2026 at 11:00 CEST and 22 September 2026 at 15:00 CEST, with registration required.[1]
• Questions may be submitted through the official EIT Culture and Creativity Contact Form, and the answers may be anonymised and published for equal access to information.[1]

Practical takeaways for applicants

Applicants should position the proposal around a clearly validated market need, credible evidence of commercial traction, and a realistic growth or scaling plan that matches the chosen programme track.[2] Ventures seeking the largest award should pay close attention to RIS eligibility and any portfolio inclusion conditions, while Shape applicants should be ready to demonstrate readiness for acceleration and investment preparation.[1][2]