Startup Europe

Horizon Europe call HORIZON-EIE (Startup Europe) is a HORIZON-CSA lump-sum funding opportunity to support cross-border acceleration and ecosystem interconnection for digital, deep tech and manufacturing startups and scaleups demonstrating market traction. The CONNECT-01 envelope is indicatively €18 million with an expected EU contribution around €2 million per project (indicative number of grants: 9) and a deadline of 15 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. Projects must prioritise startups with product-market fit or seed funding, give preference to beneficiaries from moderate/emerging innovator regions and women-led ventures, and may implement financial support to third parties (grants to startups capped at €60,000 each). Proposals must include robust three-year post-project monitoring of supported companies and be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal following lump-sum requirements.

Startup Europe — Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2027.1)

Call at a glance

Essential facts

What it funds: cross-border coordination and support actions to connect digital, deep tech and manufacturing startup and scaleup ecosystems; cross-border acceleration services; access to infrastructure, investors and procurement opportunities. Actions may include financial support to third parties (grants) to startups/scaleups.

Who can apply:Consortia of organisations established in EU Member States or Associated Countries (coordinators typically research organisations, hubs, accelerators or similar). At least 50% of beneficiaries must be established in regions/countries classified as moderate or emerging innovators. Projects should prioritise startups/scaleups with market-product fit or at least seed funding, plus women-led companies and those from widening regions.

Grant type and funding rules:Horizon Europe HORIZON-CSA Coordination and Support Action using lump-sum grants; beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants (maximum €60,000 per third party). Lump-sum method and related obligations apply ¹.

1. 1Call identifier: HORIZON-EIE (part of Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems).
2. 2Opening date: 01 June 2027 — Deadline: 15 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time).
3. 3Indicative EU budget for this topic: €18 million; typical project award around €2 million (single-stage).
4. 4Duration: indicative project duration and scope in topic description (proposals should justify timing).
5. 5Eligible features: consortia must demonstrate ecosystem reach, links to EIC/EIT/EDIH/EEN where relevant, monitoring of supported companies for 3 years post-project.

Scope highlights: build a network of top-tier and emerging startup hubs, prioritise inclusion of hubs from moderate/emerging innovator regions, leverage EIC/EIT/Regional Innovation Valleys and Digital Programme assets, support access to innovation procurement and investor networks, publicise outcomes in the EIC Community and coordinate monitoring indicators for supported companies.

Key administrative points: single-stage submission; lump-sum grant model requires a detailed budget table as annex to Part B; proposals evaluated on Excellence, Impact and Implementation; subject to Horizon Europe eligibility, exclusion and financial capacity checks.

Footnotes

1. 1Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe and guidance on lump-sum proposals and management are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal (search Lump Sum decision and guidance).

Startup Europe — Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2027.1) HORIZON-EIE-2027-01-CONNECT-01

Quick reference

Call identifier: HORIZON-EIE. Call opening date: 01 June 2027. Deadline (single-stage): 15 September 2027 17:00 Brussels time. Type of action: HORIZON-CSA Coordination and Support Actions. Type of Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS). Planned indicative EU contribution per selected project: around €2,000,000. Total call budget (CONNECT-01): part of an overall CONNECT call envelope of €18,000,000 for 2027 with an indicative number of grants for this topic of 9. Action duration (indicative): 24 months recommended. Submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal (single-stage; proposal Part A and Part B with annexes).

Deadline and submission:Final submission: 15 September 2027 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage call: upload Part A (web forms) and Part B (technical proposal PDF) using the Funding & Tenders Portal. Use the Part B HE CSA template and include the detailed lump-sum budget table Excel as required by lump-sum topics ¹.

What this opportunity funds (scope and expected outcomes)

Purpose: to support cross-border acceleration and ecosystem interconnection activities that increase the market footprint of European startups, especially in strategic digital and deep tech areas; to connect hubs and ecosystems and to scale capabilities to match highly innovative EU-funded startups with investors, buyers and growth opportunities. Projects should prioritise startups/scaleups that have achieved product-market fit or have raised at least a seed round, startups established in 'moderate' or 'emerging' innovator regions, and women-led startups/scaleups.

Expected outcomes (summary): (1) stronger cross-border connections among startup and scaleup hubs; (2) increased access to investors, procurement opportunities (public and corporate), and relevant buyers; (3) scaling of support services to translate deep tech into market and investment readiness (product-market-fit, business model, leadership, legal/regulatory preparedness); (4) measurable follow-on performance of supported companies over three years post-project.

Services and activities the projects are expected to deliver

Core activities (may be implemented directly by partners or via financial support to third parties): cross-border acceleration programmes, market and investor matchmaking, access to testbeds/infrastructure and corporate pilots, business and leadership coaching, legal and IP support, support for procurement readiness and access to innovation procurement opportunities, targeted outreach to EIC/EIT communities and Europe Startup Nations Alliance, monitoring and communication (success stories, KPIs). Projects must commit to monitoring supported companies for three years after project end with a robust indicator set (revenue evolution, follow-on funding, amount of follow-on funding, profitability, market share evolution, survival rates at specified intervals).

Financial support to third parties (grants to startups):Allowed: beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. Maximum grant to each third party: €60,000 (unless call text or WP explicitly states otherwise). Management and monitoring of FSTP must be ensured by the coordinator. FSTP must be implemented in compliance with Work Programme General Annexes and the information-on-FSTP template.

Eligibility and participation rules

Programme: Horizon Europe — Destination CONNECT: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems. Action type: Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA). Lump-sum MGA applies. Admissibility and eligibility follow Horizon Europe General Annexes. Important specific condition: at least 50% of the beneficiaries in the consortium must be established in 'moderate' or 'emerging' innovator countries or regions (reference: Regional Innovation Scoreboard and European Innovation Scoreboard; Associated Countries ranked below 25 in Global Innovation Index 2024 are treated as moderate/emerging). Subject to restrictions for protection of European communication networks.

1. 1Consortium composition: minimum consortium requirements follow HE General Annex B; specific expectation: networked consortium representing multiple startup hubs. The call suggests consortia of hubs and ecosystem actors across Member States and Associated Countries with a typical scale that supports an EU contribution of around €2M per project.
2. 2Beneficiaries: typical eligible applicants include universities, research and higher education institutions, research technology organisations, innovation hubs and accelerators, incubators, cluster organisations, public authorities, NGOs, and private not-for-profit structures. Startups themselves are eligible to receive FSTP but are not typically coordinators.
3. 3Geographic coverage: EU Member States and Associated Countries. Priority given to participation of hubs in moderate/emerging innovator regions; Associated Countries that are not included in EIS and ranked below 25 in GII2024 are considered moderate/emerging innovators. Use latest scoreboard versions at call opening.
4. 4Consortium rule of thumb: partnerships should show pan-European outreach, ability to work with the EIC/EIT communities, and connections to European Digital Innovation Hubs and Regional Innovation Valleys where relevant.

Eligible applicant types (detailed)

Eligible applicant types (typical and encouraged): startups and scaleups (as FSTP recipients), accelerators, incubators, startup hubs, science/technology parks, university TTOs, research and higher education institutions, research technology organisations (RTOs), cluster organisations, innovation agencies, regional development agencies, municipal/public procurers (for other CONNECT topics), non-profit organisations supporting entrepreneurship, investor networks, and foundations (for certain actions). Private for-profit companies can participate as beneficiaries where justified by role, but the consortium must respect grant eligibility rules in General Annex B.

Funding type and financial modalities

Primary funding instrument: Horizon Europe grant under Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). This specific call uses the lump-sum grant modality (HORIZON Lump Sum Grant). Projects will receive pre-financing and interim payments tied to achievement and acceptance of work package deliverables and milestones rather than reimbursement of actual costs. Lump-sum projects require a detailed budget table in the proposal to justify the lump-sum calculation; the final lump sum and per-work-package shares will be fixed in Annex 2 of the grant agreement ¹.

Maximum and typical award size:Indicative EU contribution: around €2,000,000 per project. The call budget for this topic is part of the CONNECT 2027 envelope (topic-specific indicative budget within the call: around €18,000,000 for the CONNECT call; topic CONNECT-01 forms part of that). Exact awarded amounts may vary; proposers may request different amounts but must justify them in the proposal.

Consortium requirement and project structure

Consortium or single applicant: consortium is expected. This is a multi-beneficiary Coordination and Support Action and normally requires multiple beneficiaries from different countries. The call is single-stage. Projects should be designed with work packages covering project management, cross-border acceleration activities, services delivery (e.g., mentoring, procurement readiness), monitoring & impact measurement, communications & dissemination, and FSTP implementation if applicable. Where financial support to third parties is used, the coordinator assumes responsibility for managing and monitoring FSTP.

Beneficiary geographic scope (who can apply)

Geographic eligibility: applicants must be established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Specific priority: at least 50% of beneficiaries must be established in 'moderate' or 'emerging' innovator countries/regions (Regional Innovation Scoreboard as reference). The applicants must verify the latest scoreboard and country profiles at call opening. Some Associated Countries not in EIS are treated via the Global Innovation Index ranking or Horizon Europe country participation ranking as specified in the Work Programme General Annexes.

Target sectors and technology areas

Target sectors: the call targets strategic digital and deep tech areas. The text explicitly lists but is not limited to: Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Computing, Cybersecurity, Next Generation Internet, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Metaverse, Energy, Greentech, AgriTech, and Fintech; plus broader deep tech sectors such as life sciences, biotech, advanced materials, quantum, robotics, security/defence, space, medical technologies and clean technologies. Actions may also involve manufacturing ecosystems where relevant.

1. 1Primary sector focus: ICT and DeepTech including AI, advanced computing, cybersecurity, NGI, blockchain, IoT.
2. 2Secondary strategic sectors: energy and greentech, agri/food tech, fintech, biotech/medtech, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and photonics where applicable.
3. 3Cross-cutting: procurement readiness, investor matchmaking, diversity (women-led startups), scaling / market access.

Project maturity and expected project stage

Project stage for supported startups: the call prioritises startups and scaleups that have achieved product-market fit or have raised at least a seed financing round. For project applicants (hubs and ecosystem actors), maturity: established ecosystem intermediaries with proven capability to deliver acceleration, access to investors and markets, and integration with research and higher education institutions. Projects themselves are implementation and scaling activities (acceleration, cross-border services, procurement support, etc.).

Application type and process

Application method: open single-stage call via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants must fill in Part A web forms and upload Part B (HE CSA Part B template) as PDF. For lump-sum topics a detailed budget Excel template must be filled and uploaded as annex to Part B. Evaluation follows standard HE processes (independent external experts), with scoring thresholds per General Annex D. Evaluation includes assessment of the detailed lump-sum estimates by financial experts; experts can make concrete budget change recommendations which will be reflected in grant preparation.

Evaluation, stages, thresholds, success rates and timeline

Evaluation model: single-stage evaluation by external experts against the three HE criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of Implementation. Threshold per criterion: generally 3/5; overall threshold 10/15 (confirm at call opening as rules can vary). For two-stage calls only Excellence and Impact are assessed at stage 1; this call is single-stage. The indicative timeline: call opens 01 June 2027; deadline 15 September 2027; evaluation and grant agreement preparation per Annex F timelines (applicants should consult the Online Manual). Success rates: not published specifically; indicative number of grants for this topic around 9 given the call budget and target EU contribution—applicants should expect competitive selection.

Application stages and expected number of steps:Number of stages: 1 (single-stage call). Sequence: 1) submission (Part A + Part B + annexes), 2) independent expert evaluation and panel consensus, 3) ranking list & selection decision, 4) grant preparation and signature (including lump-sum adjustment per evaluation), 5) project start and reporting per lump-sum MGA. There is no stage 2 competitive invitation step because this topic is single-stage.

Success rates and competitiveness

Success rates are variable and depend on the number and quality of proposals. The call text indicates the Commission expects to fund around 9 grants for CONNECT-01 under the 2027 budget allocation (indicative). Applicants should design proposals to strongly meet impact and implementation requirements, emphasise partnerships with hubs in moderate/emerging innovator regions, and include robust monitoring and communication plans. Include strong links to EIC/EIT communities and to Europe Startup Nations Alliance where relevant.

Co-funding and financial commitments

Co-funding requirement: the lump-sum grant is calculated as an approximation of eligible costs and includes a 25% flat-rate for indirect costs where applicable. Proposers must demonstrate that the total eligible costs exceed the EU contribution (co-financing principle). For some related topics (e.g. COFUND or hubs pilot in other calls) a single letter of intent showing source of complementary funding (national/regional/private) is required; check call-specific eligibility conditions. Other synergies: applicants are encouraged to leverage national/regional funds, InvestEU, Digital Europe, EIC programmes and EIT activities.

Nature of support and reporting

Nature of support: monetary grants to beneficiaries under a lump-sum grant agreement; optional distribution of financial support to third parties (grants to startups) where allowed and capped at €60,000 each. Non-monetary support expected: acceleration services, mentoring, access to testbeds, facilitation of procurement opportunities, investor matchmaking, training, and commercialization support. Reporting: technical reporting by reporting periods together with the coordinator declaration of completed work packages; payments linked to acceptance of completed WPs. The project must produce a data management plan (DMP) within 6 months and a dissemination & exploitation plan within 6 months (and update during the project).

Application templates and structure

Use the HE CSA application templates: Part A (web forms) and Part B (HE CSA Part B template). Part B must respect the page limit (for CSA topics 25 pages, lump-sum topics may have up to 28 pages; check call-specific instructions). Part B structure: Excellence (objectives, methodology), Impact (pathway to impact, dissemination/exploitation plan, KPIs), Implementation (work plan, work packages and resources, deliverables, milestones, risk register, consortium capacity). For lump-sum topics upload the detailed budget table Excel (template from submission system) as a separate annex. If proposing financial support to third parties, include the Information on Financial Support to Third Parties annex and the scheme description. If applicable include ethics and security annexes per the call.

1. 1Part B must include the detailed work package descriptions and show deliverables, milestones, and monitoring indicators (notably the required company-level KPIs to be monitored for three years post-project).
2. 2When proposing FSTP, use the standard FSTP annex template and describe eligibility, selection criteria, maximum amounts (€60,000 per third party), calculation rules, closed list of eligible activities, selection procedures and monitoring plan.
3. 3For lump-sum proposals include the detailed budget Excel showing per-beneficiary/per-work-package cost estimates and provide justifications in the Excel 'any comments' tab for personnel rates if above benchmarks.

Monitoring, KPIs and expected impact evaluation

Mandatory monitoring: projects must monitor supported startups and scaleups for three years after project end with a robust indicator set including: (1) average percentage evolution in revenue of supported companies; (2) percentage of supported companies securing follow-on funding; (3) amount of follow-on funding secured; (4) average profitability of supported companies; (5) market share evolution of supported companies; (6) survival rate of supported companies (6, 12, 18 months after end of support for startups; 1, 2, 3 years for scaleups). Projects must include a monitoring plan and tools for data collection and follow-up across the 3-year monitoring period.

How projects will be implemented (legal & financial set-up)

Grant type: lump-sum grant under the Lump Sum MGA. The lump-sum amount is calculated and fixed in the grant agreement based on applicants' detailed budget estimation, evaluated by experts and adjusted as needed in grant preparation. Payments are tied to completion and acceptance of work packages; the reporting and payment scheme is described in the Lump Sum MGA and the HE guidance on lump sums ¹. The coordinator is responsible for management and, if applicable, distribution and monitoring of the FSTP. Grants do not require reporting of actual costs; however, technical deliverables and acceptance of WPs determine payments.

Risk factors and compliance

Key risk considerations: ensure compliance with the special condition that at least 50% of beneficiaries are established in moderate/emerging innovator regions; manage fragmentation across jurisdictions and differing national rules for procurement and data; prepare for possible restrictions related to protection of European communication networks; ensure robust data protection for personal data used in monitoring startups; incorporate ethics and security self-assessments where relevant. For procurement-related activities (in other CONNECT topics) comply with PCP/PPI rules and General Annex H. For FSTP comply with the Information on Financial Support to Third Parties template and rules in Work Programme General Annexes.

Tips for a competitive application

1. 1Demonstrate pan-European impact: show concrete mechanisms for cross-border acceleration and access to markets, buyers and investors.
2. 2Meet the 50% moderate/emerging beneficiaries condition explicitly and demonstrate how this contributes to cohesion and inclusion.
3. 3Include robust measurable KPIs and a credible 3-year post-project monitoring plan for supported companies.
4. 4If using FSTP, provide transparent selection criteria, a closed list of eligible activities, and clear management arrangements (coordinator’s role).
5. 5Show strong ties to EIC/EIT/EDIH/EEN communities and events (EIC Community, Europe Startup Nations Alliance) to maximise amplification and follow-on funding opportunities.
6. 6For lump-sum proposal: provide a realistic detailed budget Excel with justifications, use the lump-sum dashboard orientation for personnel costs and explain any deviations in the comments tab.

Relevant documents and links (to be consulted at proposal preparation): the HE Programme Guide; HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 Part 10 European Innovation Ecosystems; HE General Annexes (A–G); Lump Sum Decision and Lump Sum guidance; Information on Financial Support to Third Parties template; Lump-sum application and Part B HE CSA templates and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual. Applicants must consult the call-specific page on the Funding & Tenders Portal for final updated documents and Q&A at call opening.

What this opportunity is about and how to explain it

This is a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action topic (Startup Europe) within the Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems destination. It funds consortia of innovation hubs and ecosystem intermediaries to implement cross-border acceleration and market-scaling activities for European digital and deep-tech startups and scaleups that already show traction. It uses a lump-sum grant modality, allows financial support to third parties (grants to startups up to €60,000 each), and requires substantial participation from hubs in moderate/emerging innovator regions. Projects should demonstrate strong links to European programmes (EIC, EIT, EDIHs, EEN), target measurable results for the supported companies, and include a three-year post-project monitoring plan. Applicants must submit a single-stage proposal via the Funding & Tenders Portal, including the HE CSA Part B and the detailed lump-sum budget annex.

Footnotes

1. 1The Horizon Europe Decision authorising use of lump sum contributions and the Commission guidance on lump sums must be read and applied. See the Lump Sum Guidance and model documents available on the Funding & Tenders Portal (Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe and the guidance

Startup Europe - HORIZON-EIE-2027-01-CONNECT-01

This EU funding opportunity under Horizon Europe supports cross-border acceleration activities for digital, deep tech, and manufacturing startups and scaleups demonstrating market traction. It connects local ecosystems, prioritises moderate/emerging innovator regions, women-led ventures, and those with market-product fit or seed funding. The primary URL is EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Key Dates and Budget

Opening Date:1 June 2027.

Deadline:15 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission).

Total Budget:€18 million.

Expected EU Contribution per Project:Around €2 million (indicative number of grants: 9).

Type of Action:HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) under HORIZON Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS).

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Projects must contribute to: increasing market footprint of European startups in strategic digital/deep tech areas (e.g., AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, greentech); connecting startups/scaleups (including EIC/EIT-supported and Seal of Excellence holders) to ecosystems/markets; scaling capabilities to match EU-funded startups with investment/growth opportunities via EIC, EIT, InvestEU, Digital Europe, Women TechEU, buyers/investors.

• Prioritise startups/scaleups with market-product fit or seed+ funding.
• Focus on moderate/emerging innovator countries/regions or women-led startups (founded/co-founded by women in CEO/CTO/CSO roles).

Scope and Activities

Connect local digital/deep tech/manufacturing startup ecosystems; support cross-border acceleration for traction-demonstrating startups/scaleups. Target Horizon Europe/Digital Europe-funded companies (e.g., EIC Scaleup 100, EIT, Regional Innovation Valleys, EDHIs); use Innovation Radar/other datasets; include national Plug-in programmes. Publicise via EIC Community; engage Europe Startup Nations Alliance; support access to innovation procurement.

Implementation via financial support to third parties (FSTP, max €60,000/third party) or directly by consortium. Coordinator manages FSTP monitoring/finances. Ensure tech-excelling companies gain support in product-market fit, finance, business models, teams, adaptability to make them investment-ready.

Communication: success stories/case studies. Monitoring: track supported companies for 3 years post-project using indicators like revenue evolution, follow-on funding %, amount, profitability, market share, survival rates (startups: 6/12/18 months; scaleups: 1/2/3 years).¹

Eligibility Conditions

• At least 50% of beneficiaries from moderate/emerging innovator countries/regions (per Regional/European Innovation Scoreboard; latest at call opening; specific rules for Associated Countries).²
• Subject to EU communication networks protection restrictions.
• Standard Horizon Europe rules (Annex B).

Funding Details

Lump sum grants (per Decision authorising lump sums under Horizon Europe). FSTP as grants (max €60,000/third party). 100% funding rate for CSAs.

Evaluation and Award

1. 1Standard criteria/thresholds (Annex D).
2. 2Single-stage submission/evaluation (Annex F).
3. 3Indicative timeline per Annex F.

Who Can Apply

Legal entities from EU Member States/Associated Countries. Consortia encouraged from ecosystems in moderate/emerging regions. Standard conditions (Annex B/C). Exclusion/financial capacity per Annex C.

Application Process

Via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Standard HE CSA forms; detailed lump sum budget table required. Proposal page limits/layout per Annex A/E. MGA: HORIZON-AG-LS.

Synergies: EIC, EIT/KICs, InvestEU, Digital Europe, Women TechEU, EEN, Regional Innovation Valleys, EDIHs. Engage ESNA events.

Key Documents

• HE Main WP 2026-2027 – 10. EIE.
• HE Programme Guide; Lump Sum MGA.
• Application/Evaluation Forms.

Apply via EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Footnotes

1. 1Indicators from topic description.
2. 2Regional Innovation Scoreboard/European Innovation Scoreboard; Global Innovation Index 2024; Horizon Europe country profiles.