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
* 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
* 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
* 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.