Deadline Date: June 09, 2026
The 28DIGITAL Venture Incubation Program is a two-stage initiative designed to support early-stage digital and deep-tech ventures in developing innovative solutions and progressing toward market-ready startups.
The program focuses on venture creation, MVP development and validation, entrepreneurial skill-building, incubation and mentoring support, market entry preparation, investment readiness, company incorporation within the EU, and growth of university and research-driven spin-offs in deep-tech and digital innovation.
The initiative follows a structured two-stage model. It begins with a Growth Package phase that includes a bootcamp and a 12-week incubation journey, during which selected teams receive mentoring, structured venture-building guidance, and support to develop and validate a minimum viable product. This phase concludes with a Demo Day where teams present their progress and outcomes. Selected participants receive a €5,000 cash prize along with incubation support.
The second stage allows eligible ventures that have successfully completed the first phase and demonstrated a validated MVP to compete for further financial support. Funding in this stage can reach up to €25,000, distributed in tranches. This includes €10,000 awarded to high-scoring applications, an additional €10,000 for ventures securing at least €50,000 in follow-on funding from external sources, and a final €5,000 awarded to ventures that achieve successful market deployment and commercial traction.
During this initial stage, participants are required to actively engage in all program activities, demonstrate a functional MVP, provide evidence of market validation and customer engagement, define a go-to-market and fundraising strategy, and incorporate a single legal entity within an EU Member State. Completion of these requirements is necessary to remain eligible for advancement to the next stage.
Eligibility is restricted to multidisciplinary teams of at least two members or startups incorporated in 2025 or later. Applicants must be based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, including Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Only ventures operating in relevant strategic deep-tech domains with a prototype, proof-of-concept, or near-MVP stage are considered. Participation from regional innovation scheme countries and gender-balanced teams is encouraged.
For more information, visit EIT.
