Scale2Connect Deep Tech Accelerator Programme

About

A free three-month online acceleration programme supports 15 deep tech startups and academic spin-offs based in Lisbon, Málaga/Andalusia, or Santiago de los Caballeros with weekly workshops, one-to-one mentoring, an online Demo Day, and alumni-network access.

Benefits

• 🎓Weekly workshops
  Selected startups receive 12 weekly online workshops on key aspects of deep tech venture development, including product-market fit, IP, fundraising, scaling strategy, and pitching.
• 🧑‍🏫 One-to-one mentoring
  Selected startups receive regular one-to-one mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and academics.
• 🌐Innovation-hub access
  Selected startups gain access to established innovation-hub networks through partner Octa Insight.
• 🎤Demo Day place
  Selected startups receive a place at the online Demo Day to present to investors and industry representatives.
• 📈Progress check-ins
  Selected startups receive progress check-ins with the programme team throughout the acceleration period.
• 🤝Alumni network
  Selected startups receive ongoing membership in the Scale2Connect Alumni Network after the programme, with regular meetups, guest speakers, potential funding opportunities, and networking.
• 💸Free participation
  Selected startups participate in the three-month acceleration programme at no cost.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be independent startup teams or academic spin-off teams; incorporation is not required at application.
• The founding team, or the majority of it, must be based in the Lisbon region (Portugal), Málaga or the wider Andalusia region (Spain), or the Santiago de los Caballeros region (Dominican Republic).
• The venture must operate in a deep tech field such as artificial intelligence, Beyond 5G/connectivity, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or related emerging technologies.
• The venture must have a working prototype, MVP, or demonstrable proof of concept; idea-only submissions are not eligible.
• The team must be available for the full programme duration and able to commit time to weekly workshops and mentoring sessions.
• Both startups and university spin-offs are welcome to apply.
• Ventures already generating revenue or holding prior investment remain eligible if still in an active growth/scaling phase.
• Applications from women-led ventures and ventures led by one or more members of underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged; this is preferred, not mandatory.

Participation Commitments

• Submit a complete application only through the official online application form by 23 October 2026 at 17:00 CEST (Brussels time); late submissions cannot be accepted.
• Applications may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• Provide the required application information, including team overview and background, technology/product description and deep tech focus, development stage and traction/funding to date, and what the team hopes to gain.
• Disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest with the Scale2Connect selection process.
• Selected teams must be available for the full programme duration and commit time to weekly workshops and mentoring sessions.
• Selected startups are asked to confirm participation and availability for the programme dates and complete an onboarding session with the programme team and mentors.
• Selected startups are asked to acknowledge EU funding in communication and dissemination activities related to their participation using the specified text.
• The programme is free of charge.
• The programme runs from December 2026 to February 2027, with the online Demo Day in March 2027 and Alumni Network onboarding in Spring 2027.
• Solutions developed by participating teams are expected to remain entirely owned by the teams; the Scale2Connect consortium does not claim rights over participant IP.

Target Sector

Sector agnostic, 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

The founding team, or the majority of it, must be based in the Lisbon region (Portugal), Málaga or the wider Andalusia region (Spain), or the Santiago de los Caballeros region (Dominican Republic).