Catalyse NEB – Open Call 2026

About

Catalyse NEB – Open Call 2026 was an EIT Community New European Bauhaus accelerator that selected 20 early-stage start-ups for a six-month programme offering a €22,000 grant, tailored mentorship, and EU-wide visibility; applications closed on 19 January 2026.

Benefits

• .
• 💰Grant
  €22,000 per selected start-up for growth, travel, and dissemination; paid in two EUR 11,000 lump sums, first upon signing the FSA and SAFE, second at the end upon completion of final progress and high-level reports
• 🧑🏫Tailored Business Support
  Interactive workshops, one-on-one mentoring on business and design dimensions, and support on business, communications and NEB values
• 🤝Mentorship and Networking
  Access to EIT-wide events, visibility opportunities, investor matchmaking, and in-person and online networking events
• 🌍Ecosystem Access
  Trusted entry point into the EU funding and innovation landscape; cross-sector partnerships across 4 EIT KICs and hundreds of European cities; association with the European Commission’s flagship NEB initiative
• 💶Total Support Value
  The call manual describes EUR 50,000 of EIT Community NEB funding allocation per selected start-up through subgrants and in-kind services

Eligibility Criteria

• Registration
• Mandatory requirement of being registered with legal effects in an EU Member State, an Overseas Country or Territory linked to a Member State, or a third country associated to Horizon Europe
• Entity Type
• Mandatory requirement of being a for-profit entity able to sign a SAFE
• Incorporation Date
• Mandatory requirement of being incorporated after 1 January 2021
• Traction Requirement
• Mandatory requirement to meet at least one of the following: generated minimum EUR 15,000 revenue in 2025, secured at least EUR 40,000 in investments, or participated in the Grow NEB programme
• Funding Stage
• Mandatory requirement of being at pre-seed, seed, or exceptional Series A stage, and the startup may have received or be seeking venture funding, with total funding raised no more than EUR 1,000,000
• Readiness Level
• Mandatory requirement of a TRL/BRL of at least 4, or participation in the Grow NEB programme
• Founder Ownership
• Mandatory requirement that founders own more than 50% of shares
• SAFE Agreement
• Mandatory requirement to agree to sign a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) with the associated KIC before programme start
• Founder Participation
• Mandatory requirement to guarantee participation of at least one founder in the programme, with commitment to participate in all in-person events, mentorship activities and online workshops
• Creative Sectors
• Preferred culture and creative sectors and industries are encouraged
• RIS Countries
• Preferred start-ups registered in RIS countries are encouraged
• Previous Participation
• Preferred entities that participated in other EIT Community NEB activities are encouraged

Participation Commitments

• SAFE Agreement
• Selected start-ups must sign a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) with the relevant EIT KIC before programme start; SAFE terms vary by KIC, with Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility using a 20% discount and a EUR 250,000 minimum qualifying round, and EIT Food using a 10% discount and a EUR 500,000 qualified equity financing
• Contract Signing
• Awardees must sign an FSA/award contract and SAFE by 22 May 2026
• Founder Participation
• At least one founder must participate in all in-person events, mentorship activities and online workshops
• Compliance Obligations
• Awardees must comply with monitoring, reporting, IPR, communication, dissemination and branding obligations

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Start-ups must be registered with legal effects in an eligible country: an EU Member State (including outermost regions), an Overseas Country or Territory linked to a Member State, or a non-EU country associated to Horizon Europe. Start-ups registered in RIS countries are encouraged. Legal commitments are excluded for certain Hungarian public interest trusts established under Hungarian Act IX of 2021 or entities maintained by such trusts.