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 Region

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.

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