Startup Ecosystem Agents Open Call 2026-2028

The Startup Ecosystem Agents Open Call 2026-2028 is a funding opportunity provided by EIT Urban Mobility aimed at enhancing urban mobility innovation ecosystems across key European locations. The program is geared towards experienced ecosystem support organizations rather than startups themselves. Eligible applicants must demonstrate significant expertise in startup mentorship and support, with a minimum of five years of experience in sectors related to mobility, transport, deep-tech, and sustainability. Organizations such as accelerators, incubators, innovation hubs, and business development service providers are encouraged to apply.

This funding opportunity is structured as a grant-based model, with a total budget of €2,115,000 available over the call period from 2026 to 2028, translating to approximately €350,000 for each of the six selected Startup Ecosystem Agents. Each agent will act as an independent local partner of EIT Urban Mobility, with no consortium requirement.

Geographically, eligible applicants must be based in or primarily operate within designated areas, which include Berlin, London, Paris, Turin, one Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden), and one Research and Innovation for Smart Specialisation (RIS) country, excluding Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The focus is specifically on urban mobility and transport innovation, which includes sustainable transportation technologies and solutions.

The selected agents will operate throughout the startup lifecycle, particularly focusing on activities like startup scouting, mentoring, acceleration, and preparing ventures for investment. The application process is single-stage; applications must be submitted by 23 March 2026. The involvement period for selected agents will span 32 months.

The call reflects a competitive and targeted selection process, emphasizing strong networks and previous experience in facilitating startup growth and investment readiness. While no co-funding is explicitly required, there is an expectation that agents will leverage existing networks for additional support beyond the grant. The application opens on 21 January 2026, with a webinar scheduled on 5 February 2026 to assist potential applicants. Overall, this initiative aims to strengthen the European urban mobility landscape by empowering local organizations that can connect startups with necessary resources and support.

The EIT Urban Mobility Startup Ecosystem Agents Open Call 2026-2028 is an invitation for experienced ecosystem players to submit proposals aimed at strengthening local and European urban mobility innovation ecosystems between 2026 and 2028. EIT Urban Mobility seeks to select six Startup Ecosystem Agents to act as strategic partners and local points of presence in key European startup ecosystems. The selected agents will contribute to expanding EIT Urban Mobility’s outreach, supporting locally European mobility startups and strengthening cross-border collaboration and investment opportunities.

The opening date for submissions is 21 January 2026. The deadline for submissions is 23 March 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage. The expected duration of participation is 32 months. The total funding available is 2,115,000.00 €. The project acronym is EITUM-BP26-28. The full name of the EU funded project is EIT Urban Mobility Business Plan 2026-2028. The grant agreement number is 101269525. The topic is HORIZON-EIT-2025-KIC-IBA-UM - 2025-12-31T17:00:00.000Z.

In summary, this is a call for proposals from EIT Urban Mobility seeking experienced organizations to act as Startup Ecosystem Agents. These agents will serve as strategic partners and local representatives within key European startup ecosystems, with the goal of bolstering urban mobility innovation. The selected agents will play a crucial role in expanding EIT Urban Mobility's reach, providing support to local mobility startups, and fostering collaboration and investment across borders. The project aims to strengthen the urban mobility innovation landscape in Europe.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to experienced ecosystem players. This suggests that eligible applicants could include organizations with a track record in supporting startups, fostering innovation, and building ecosystems. Examples of such organizations could be: startup hubs, incubators, accelerators, innovation agencies, regional development agencies, universities with strong entrepreneurial support programs, research institutions involved in urban mobility, and established networks of investors and mentors. The call aims to select six Startup Ecosystem Agents, implying that the applicants should be organizations capable of acting as strategic partners and local points of presence.

Funding Type: The funding type is cascade funding, which is a mechanism where the EIT Urban Mobility provides a grant to selected Startup Ecosystem Agents, who then, in turn, distribute funding to startups within their ecosystems. This is further supported by the mention of a grant agreement number.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the focus on selecting "Startup Ecosystem Agents" suggests that established organizations with existing networks and resources are preferred. While consortia are not explicitly excluded, the emphasis on identifying local points of presence might favor single, well-established entities within specific ecosystems. It is possible that a single applicant with a strong network could be preferred over a newly formed consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity targets strengthening local and European urban mobility innovation ecosystems. This indicates that the geographic eligibility is primarily focused on entities within the European Union. The mention of "cross-border collaboration" suggests that applicants from different EU member states are encouraged, and the focus on "key European startup ecosystems" implies that the call is open to entities operating within those ecosystems, wherever they may be located within the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is urban mobility. This includes startups and initiatives focused on innovative solutions for transportation, logistics, urban planning, and related areas within cities. The call aims to strengthen the urban mobility innovation ecosystems, indicating a focus on supporting the growth and development of companies and projects in this sector.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on "key European startup ecosystems," implying that the opportunity is relevant to countries within the European Union.

Project Stage: The opportunity targets strengthening existing ecosystems and supporting startups within those ecosystems. This suggests that the projects and startups being supported are likely in the development, validation, demonstration, commercialization, or scale-up stages. The Startup Ecosystem Agents are expected to contribute to expanding EIT Urban Mobility’s outreach and supporting local European mobility startups, implying that the startups are beyond the initial idea stage.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is €2,115,000.00. Since the call aims to select six Startup Ecosystem Agents, the average funding per agent would be approximately €352,500. However, the actual funding distribution may vary depending on the specific proposals and the needs of the selected ecosystems.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as explicitly stated in the description: "Startup Ecosystem Agents Open Call." The deadline model is single-stage.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries (Startup Ecosystem Agents) will receive money in the form of a grant, which they will then use to support startups within their ecosystems. This is cascade funding, where the initial grant recipients act as intermediaries to distribute funds to smaller projects.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage, as indicated by the "Deadline model: single-stage." This means that applicants submit a complete proposal by the deadline, and there is no preliminary selection or expression of interest phase.

Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated based on the fact that six Startup Ecosystem Agents will be selected. The actual success rate will depend on the number of applications received, which is not specified in the provided information. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the success rate.

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

Summary:

The EIT Urban Mobility Startup Ecosystem Agents Open Call 2026-2028 is an initiative to strengthen urban mobility innovation ecosystems across Europe. EIT Urban Mobility aims to select six experienced "Startup Ecosystem Agents" to act as strategic partners and local representatives in key European startup ecosystems. These agents will receive cascade funding to expand EIT Urban Mobility's reach, support local European mobility startups, and foster cross-border collaboration and investment. The total funding available is €2,115,000.00, and the expected duration of participation is 32 months. The call is open to experienced ecosystem players capable of acting as strategic partners and local points of presence. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of March 23, 2026. The selected agents will receive grants to support startups in the urban mobility sector, which includes transportation, logistics, and urban planning. The geographic focus is on European Union member states, with an emphasis on key startup ecosystems within the EU. The call targets projects and startups in the development, validation, demonstration, commercialization, or scale-up stages. The selected agents will play a crucial role in connecting startups with resources, investors, and other stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the urban mobility sector in Europe.