CategoriesEntrepreneurship Research exploitation

This article was written in collaboration with EIT Culture & Creativity.

The cultural and creative sectors play a central role in shaping Europe’s economy, identity, and global competitiveness. Through EIT Culture & Creativity, the EIT supports and encourages innovation within creative industries such as fashion, architecture, gaming, audiovisual media, and cultural heritage. EIT Culture & Creativity has recently launched three new programmes to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. 

SPARK (Incubation):  

SPARK is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs at the very beginning of their journey (students, researchers, professionals, or recent graduates with a promising idea in architecture or cultural heritage). The programme offers: 

  • Kick-off in an EU city (3 days*) 
  • Join the online programme to validate your idea, develop an MVP, and explore market potential 
  • Pitch at the Demo Day in an EU city* 
  • Compete for prizes as a top-performing participant: 
      • 🥇 1st Prize (x2): €10,000 
      • 🥈 2nd Prize (x3): €7,500 
      • 🥉 3rd Prize (x3): €5,000 
  • Deadline: 11 July 2025, 17:00 CET 

More details 

* all expenses paid 

 

SHAPE (Acceleration): 

For legally registered start-ups with at least two years in the market and operating in fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audiovisual media, or gaming, the SHAPE programme provides a tailored acceleration path.  

  • Kick-off in Bologna next September (3 days*) 
  • Join the online programme to refine your business model and get market strategy support 
  • Get mentoring from sector experts 
  • Connect with investors and industry leaders 
  • Pitch at the Demo Day in an EU city* 
  • Compete for prizes as a top-performing participant: 
    • 🥇 1st Prize (x3): €30,000 
    • 🥈 2nd Prize (x3): €15,000 
    • 🥉 3rd Prize (x4): €7,500 
  • Deadline: 11 July 2025, 17:00 CET 

More details 

* all expenses paid 

 

 

SCALE (Post-Acceleration):

SCALE targets established ventures ready to expand internationally and raise funds from public and private sector. Eligible scale-ups, operating for at least three years with validated products or business models, receive high-level support including: 

  • Kick-off in Bologna 
  • Join the online programme to get international market expansion support and Investment and business planning strategy 
  • Get mentoring from sector experts 
  • Connect with investors and industry leaders 
  • Pitch at the Demo Day in an EU city* 
  • Compete for prizes as a top-performing participant: 
    • 🥇 1st Prize (x2): €60,000 
    • 🥈 2nd Prize (x3): €40,000 
    • 🥉 3rd Prize (x4): €25,000 
  • Deadline: 11 July 2025, 17:00 CET

More details 

* all expenses paid 

We encourage creatives, founders, and innovators across Europe to seize this opportunity and take a step toward shaping Europe’s cultural and creative future. 

A leading company working with public and private organisations to shape knowledge-based opportunities from idea to scale-up stages

Newsletter

Sign up for our latest updates, opportunities and resources.

Follow us

Copyright © 2025 META Group | All Rights Reserved.