CEE Summer of Impact 2026

About

A free program designed for pre-seed and seed-stage impact startups, offering direct access to investors, mentorship from experienced professionals, and opportunities to showcase innovations in front of potential backers. The program facilitates early connections with VCs and culminates in a Demo Day where finalists can pitch their ideas to a broad audience of investors.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  No fees or equity taken from participants, allowing founders to retain full ownership of their startups.
• 🎓Mentorship Program
  Access to experienced investors and operators as mentors throughout the program.
• 🌐Network Access
  Direct connections with over 30 VC firms from across Europe for potential investment opportunities.
• 📈Business Support
  Guidance and support in refining business models and strategies during the mentoring phase.
• 🎤Exposure Opportunities
  Finalists will present their startups in front of active impact investors at a Demo Day in Barcelona.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to pre-seed and seed-stage impact startups with at least one year of operation
• Must be based in CEE, Turkey, or Greece
• Startups should focus on themes like climate, health, education, energy, AI for good, or space
• No fees or equity taken from participants
• Must be able to engage with potential investors during the program

Participation Commitments

• Must submit an application by July 28, 2026
• Selected startups must participate in the mentoring phase following application review
• Finalists are required to present their startups at the Demo Day in Barcelona
• Must engage with potential investors during the program

Target Region

Open to startups from Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Greece

Target Sector

Focused on impact startups in sectors like climate, health, education, and technology