EIT Culture & Creativity is inviting startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) to apply for financial support through its Shape Acceleration Programme and Scale Post-Acceleration Programme.

The call is designed for technology-enabled, market-driven and IP-leveraged ventures that are seeking to strengthen commercial execution, improve investment readiness, attract capital and expand into European and international markets. EITCC_Open call_Financial suppo…

Funding Available

The call has a maximum EIT Culture & Creativity funding allocation of €8.6 million, structured as follows:

• Shape Acceleration: up to €100,000 per selected venture.
• Additional Shape support: up to a further €100,000 for up to four ventures following the Shape Demo Day.
• Scale Post-Acceleration: up to €200,000 for eligible non-RIS ventures.
• RIS-based Scale ventures: up to €500,000.
• 100-to-Watch ventures: up to €200,000. 

The funding is provided under an actual-cost reimbursement model, meaning eligible expenditure must be incurred, documented and accepted in accordance with the call requirements. Up to 100% of eligible project costs may be reimbursed, within the applicable funding ceiling. Costs already financed through other EU programmes or sources cannot be reimbursed under this call. 

Programme 1: Shape Acceleration

The Shape Acceleration Programme is aimed at early growth-stage startups that have already validated a market need through market activity, early revenues, pilot customers or comparable traction.

Selected ventures may receive up to €100,000 in initial financial support, together with structured business development, coaching, mentoring and investment-readiness support.

The programme is intended to help ventures:

• Strengthen product-market fit.
• Refine their business model.
• Accelerate go-to-market execution.
• Prepare for future investment.
• Strengthen their growth strategy. 

Following the Shape Programme Demo Day, up to four ventures may be selected for an additional up to €100,000, subject to further eligibility, budget and contractual requirements. 

Programme 2: Scale Post-Acceleration

The Scale Post-Acceleration Programme targets more mature startups and scaleups that have demonstrated product-market fit, commercial traction, customer growth and international scaling potential.

Applicants must demonstrate a scalable business model, strong growth indicators and readiness for internationalisation. 

Scale applicants must also meet one of the following investment conditions:

• Be actively fundraising with a lead investor and signed term sheet(s) representing at least €200,000; or
• Have secured at least €200,000 in investment from qualified investors during the 18 months preceding the call deadline. 

Funding is up to €200,000 for non-RIS ventures and up to €500,000 for eligible ventures headquartered in EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries. 

Priority Sectors for the 2027 Cohort

For the 2027 cohort starting in January 2027, the call covers:

• Fashion
• Architecture
• Audio-Visual Media

Additional CCSI areas, including Gaming and Cultural Heritage, are planned for future calls. 

What Activities Can Be Supported?

Financial support can be used for growth, commercialisation and investment-readiness activities, including:

• Business development.
• Investor outreach and fundraising preparation.
• Team expansion.
• Marketing and commercial tools.
• Participation in industry and ecosystem events.
• Governance development.
• Tax and legal advisory services.
• Intellectual property-related activities.
• International market expansion and scaling activities. 

Additional Venture Development Support

Financial support is complemented by participation in the relevant EIT Culture & Creativity programme.

Selected ventures receive access to:

• Coaching and mentoring.
• Expert guidance.
• Investor engagement.
• Peer learning.
• Industry and innovation networks.
• Internationalisation and growth support. 

Participation in the relevant Shape or Scale programme is mandatory and forms part of the overall support package. 

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be:

• Single for-profit legal entities.
• Legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country.
• Operating within the relevant CCSI priority areas.
• Technology-enabled and capable of demonstrating a differentiated value proposition.
• Able to demonstrate meaningful market traction and commercial potential.
• Willing to participate in the relevant acceleration programme. 

NGOs, associations, cooperatives and foundations are not eligible. 

Shape Applicant Requirements

Shape applicants should demonstrate:

• Early market traction, including revenue, commercial activity or pilot customers.
• A scalable business model.
• A differentiated value proposition.
• Competitive differentiation.
• A product or technology that is the primary driver of current or planned revenue.
• A complementary founding team covering creativity, technology and business capabilities.
• At least one founder working full-time on the venture.
• At least one founder with relevant sector expertise.
• Readiness to accept mentoring, iteration and external investment. 

Scale Applicant Requirements

Scale applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong product-market fit.
• Recurring revenues or comparable commercial traction.
• Customer growth and scalability.
• International expansion potential.
• Strong technological capability within the founding team.
• Competitive differentiation.
• Evidence of active fundraising or a qualifying recent investment round of at least €200,000. 

EIT RIS Support

The call provides enhanced funding access for eligible ventures headquartered in EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries.

RIS-based ventures applying through the Scale Post-Acceleration Programme may receive up to €500,000, compared with up to €200,000 for eligible non-RIS ventures. 

Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application form.
• Pitch Deck using the applicable template.
• Proof of company registration.
• Detailed budget and EIT funding request.
• Tangible evidence that the solution is operational, such as a product demonstration, working demo, screenshot, screen recording or product deck.
• Latest available company financial information, including relevant information on cash position and financial performance. 

Shape applicants must additionally submit a Venture Execution Plan.

Scale applicants must submit a Venture Scaling Plan, cash-flow/use-of-funds forecast and evidence of the required fundraising or qualifying investment. 

Geographic Scope

EU Member States and Horizon Europe-associated countries, subject to the specific eligibility conditions in the call.

The call also excludes entities established in Russia, Belarus and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine, subject to the stated exceptions and restrictions. 

Project Duration

The 2027 cohort runs from January to December 2027, with eligible activities and costs falling within the applicable implementation period. 

Key Dates

Call opens: 10 August 2026
Application deadline: 12 October 2026 at 17:00 CEST
Evaluation: October–December 2026
Results communicated: Mid-December 2026
Results published: Mid-January 2027
Projects start: January 2027

Application

Applications are submitted through the official online submission platform:

https://forms.monday.com/forms/6b42bc54defb2a38b8261bd8e4013776?r=euc1

Applicants should ensure that all mandatory information and supporting documentation are complete before submission.

Click HERE to visit the official website.