LLM-BRIDGE – Venture Incubation Programme - Open Call for Incubators – 1st Call

The LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme is an open call for one high-quality EU-based incubator to support early-stage Generative AI startups. The program aims to strengthen Europe's capacity for innovation in this field and is connected to the broader GenAI4EU initiative, which focuses on enhancing AI adoption across various strategic sectors within the EU. The incubator chosen will run a 12-week program, accepting 30 startups from across Europe, transforming their early-stage ideas into commercially viable ventures that comply with ethical standards and EU regulations, including the AI Act, Data Act, and GDPR.

The funding type is grant-based, with a total budget of €60,000, intended for the operational support of the selected incubator. Importantly, this is not a co-funded opportunity, and no matching funds are required from applicants. The application process follows a single-stage evaluation model, where proposals must be submitted by March 23, 2026, at 17:00 UTC, through a dedicated online form.

Proposals will be rigorously evaluated against six criteria: relevance to program objectives, proven track record in scaling AI or deep-tech ventures, access to relevant networks and mentors, adaptability to emerging tech and market needs, quality of monitoring and reporting frameworks, and cost-effectiveness. A minimum score of 26 out of 42 is required for proposals to be eligible for funding.

The selected incubator will not only gain funding but also enhance its strategic positioning within the AI ecosystem by accessing a curated pipeline of promising GenAI startups, facilitating collaboration, and participating in cross-border networking opportunities.

In summary, the LLM-BRIDGE programme is a competitive funding opportunity targeting incubators aiming to elevate the commercialization of Generative AI technologies and foster a collaborative, innovative environment in Europe. More details and application templates can be found on the official LLM-BRIDGE website.

The LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) is an open call for incubators, specifically the 1st call, aiming to strengthen incubation capacity in Europe to support early-stage Generative AI (GenAI) ventures. The LLM-BRIDGE project, or LLM Booster for Regional Innovation and Digital Growth in Europe, operates under grant agreement number 101226136 and falls under the topic DIGITAL-2024-BESTUSE-07-MULTICOUNTRY - Support to the implementation of Multi-Country Projects (MCPs).

The opening date for submissions was January 20, 2026, and the deadline is March 23, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). This is a single-stage submission model. The expected duration of participation is 12 weeks, with a total funding of 60,000.00 €.

The VIP aims to accelerate the commercialization of LLM technologies by providing mentoring, access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources, data infrastructures, and regulatory guidance. It also promotes responsible AI innovation aligned with the AI Act, Data Act, GDPR, and the EU’s Digital Decade Targets, and fosters cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and participation of underrepresented regions and groups in the European AI ecosystem.

LLM-BRIDGE seeks to identify and support one high-quality, EU-based incubator capable of supporting startups in transforming early-stage GenAI ideas into viable, scalable, and ethically compliant ventures that may be eligible for future Long Jump and European Grand Challenges. The selected incubator will run a 12-week VIP cohort across Europe, delivering structured training and mentoring to 30 startups, providing access to technical expertise and AI infrastructures, monitoring progress using standardized KPIs, and contributing to the overall impact of LLM-BRIDGE and the European GenAI innovation ecosystem.

The selected incubator will gain direct access to a pipeline of high-potential GenAI startups from across Europe, enhancing its expertise in nurturing deep-tech ventures and strengthening its market position within the AI ecosystem.

All proposals must be submitted at https://share.hsforms.com/1M9e8MG94To6Yey0kPWhNOAf4os. The proposal template and supporting documents are available at https://www.llm-bridge.eu/open-calls/.

Eligible proposals will be evaluated by independent external experts appointed by the LLM-BRIDGE Consortium. Each proposal will be assessed by at least two experts using defined evaluation criteria and a scoring system. Applicants will be notified of the evaluation results within four weeks after completion of the panel ranking and will receive an Evaluation Summary Report (ESR) containing individual scores, comments, and the final consensus assessment. The successful applicant will be invited to sign a Financial Support Agreement with 28DIGITAL on behalf of the LLM-BRIDGE Consortium.

The evaluation criteria include:

1. Relevance (maximum score: 10; threshold: 6): Alignment with LLM-BRIDGE objectives, capacity to support early-stage Generative AI startups, and contribution to European GenAI strategic goals.

2. Track record (maximum score: 8; threshold: 5): Proven experience in incubating and scaling AI or deep-tech ventures, with demonstrated results in startup growth and innovation.

3. Networks and access (maximum score: 8; threshold: 5): Ability to provide startups with access to mentors, investors, and strategic industry partners.

4. Adaptability (maximum score: 6; threshold: 4): Flexibility and capacity to respond to emerging technological and market needs in the Generative AI sector.

5. Monitoring framework (maximum score: 5; threshold: 3): Quality and clarity of proposed processes and documentation for monitoring and reporting, including well-defined metrics.

6. Cost effectiveness (maximum score: 5; threshold: 3): Adequacy and justification of the proposed budget.

Each criterion is scored from 0 up to its maximum. Proposals are evaluated according to six qualitative levels:

Not addressed (score 0): Fails to address the criterion.

Poor (score 1–2 out of 10, 1–2 out of 8, or 1 out of 5/6): Shows serious weaknesses or lacks detail.

Fair (score 3–4 out of 10, 3–4 out of 8, or 2 out of 5/6): Some strengths, but significant weaknesses remain.

Good – threshold level (score 5–6 out of 10, 5 out of 8, or 3–4 out of 5/6): Adequately addressed, though moderate weaknesses are observed.

Very good (score 7–8 out of 10, 6–7 out of 8, or 4–5 out of 5/6): Well addressed, with only minor shortcomings.

Excellent (score 9–10 out of 10, 8 out of 8, or 5–6 out of 5/6): Fully addressed, demonstrating outstanding quality.

The threshold per criterion is 3 to 6 points. The overall minimum score is 26 points (out of 42), and the maximum total score is 42 points. Proposals failing to reach the threshold in any criterion or the overall minimum score will not be considered for funding.

All information about the LLMB Open Call can be found at https://www.llm-bridge.eu/.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for EU-based incubators to participate in the LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme. The program aims to support early-stage Generative AI startups by providing them with training, mentoring, access to resources, and guidance. One incubator will be selected to run a 12-week program for 30 startups. The selected incubator will receive 60,000 € in funding and gain access to a pipeline of promising GenAI startups, enhancing its reputation and market position in the AI ecosystem. The evaluation process involves assessing the incubator's relevance, track record, networks, adaptability, monitoring framework, and cost-effectiveness. The goal is to strengthen Europe's incubation capacity and foster innovation in the field of Generative AI, aligning with EU regulations and strategic goals.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type for this opportunity is an EU-based incubator. The call specifically seeks to identify and support one high-quality incubator.

Funding Type: The funding type appears to be a grant, as it is referred to as cascade funding within the LLM-BRIDGE project. The selected incubator will receive financial support to run a Venture Incubation Programme (VIP).

Consortium Requirement: This opportunity requires a single applicant. The call is for one incubator to run the Venture Incubation Programme.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is for EU-based incubators. The call specifies that LLM-BRIDGE seeks to identify and support one high-quality, EU-based incubator.

Target Sector: The target sector is Generative AI (GenAI) and deep-tech ventures. The program aims to support early-stage GenAI startups and strengthen incubation capacity in this area.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the geographic scope is the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage targets early-stage GenAI ideas, aiming to transform them into viable, scalable, and ethically compliant ventures. The focus is on incubation and acceleration of these early-stage startups.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 60,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: The selected incubator will receive money to run the Venture Incubation Programme.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, as indicated by the "Deadline model: single-stage."

Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly mentioned, but since only one incubator will be selected, the success rate is expected to be low.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) open call seeks to identify and support one high-quality, EU-based incubator to run a 12-week program for early-stage Generative AI (GenAI) startups. The selected incubator will receive 60,000 EUR to deliver structured training and mentoring to 30 startups, provide access to technical expertise and AI infrastructures, monitor progress using standardized KPIs, and contribute to the overall impact of LLM-BRIDGE and the European GenAI innovation ecosystem. The program aims to strengthen incubation capacity in Europe, accelerate the commercialization of LLM technologies, promote responsible AI innovation, and foster cross-border collaboration. The incubator will gain access to a pipeline of high-potential GenAI startups, enhancing its reputation and market position within the AI ecosystem. The application process is a single-stage open call, and proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, track record, networks and access, adaptability, monitoring framework, and cost-effectiveness. The opening date is January 20, 2026, and the deadline is March 23, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time).