Catalyse New European Bauhaus Programme for Socially Innovative Start-Ups

The New European Bauhaus is an environmental, social and cultural initiative that is guided by three core values:

• Sustainability: from climate goals, to circularity, zero pollution, and biodiversity
• Aesthetics: from design beyond functionality, to quality of experience, lifestyle and well-being;
• Inclusion: valorising diversity, equality for all, accessibility, and affordability.

Strategic Focus of the Call

• Identifying and supporting NEB-minded businesses that put at the core social innovation as key to deliver systems change and new ways of living together. Making available NEB solutions for end-users, cities and regions, and other companies is essential to develop successful long-term solutions that match the needs of the wider community. By supporting NEB-minded businesses they promote a true synergy of innovation, business, creativity, and design, improving citizens quality of life and driving green and digital transformations.
• The aim of this call for proposals is to identify and work with start-ups integrating simultaneously the three core dimensions of the NEB in their operations, products, and services.
• Hence, it is expected that start-ups:
  • Address sustainability in the shape of mitigating or adapting to climate change, supporting sustainable transport, manufacturing and/or agri-food uses, as well as encouraging circular economy.
  • Originate their product or service from social demand responding to the need of a specific social group in a local/regional/national/European context and addressing one or more NEB challenges.
  • Have a designer in the team or provide for aesthetics or quality of experience within the conception of their solution.
• The activity aims to provide NEB and Business and Entrepreneurship support to start-ups with a clear concept, product or vision that could benefit from the EIT Community’s contribution. The EIT guarantees a total funding of EUR 1,400,000 to the programme. These funds will be used to support 28 awardees which will join the Catalyse NEB programme throughout the duration of 2024.
• With the aim of fostering transformation using NEB core values the EIT Community is looking for the most innovative start-ups in climate, digital, food, manufacturing, mobility, wellbeing, and overall quality of life in order to support their business growth and help them become international gamechangers

New European Bauhaus Challenges

The range of EIT Community NEB supported activities includes a list of challenges thematically arranged across four Thematic Axes and sub-challenges. Applicants’ products and services must address at least one of the NEB Thematic Axes, indicating one or more sub-challenges in their local ecosystem, and demonstrate their potential to scale-up. In addition, the products and services must clearly address an identified social challenge, ideally determined within a specific social group who would benefit from the existence of such products or services.

The four Thematic Axes are:

• Reconnecting with nature
• Regaining a sense of belonging
• Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
• Fostering long-term, life-cycle and integrated thinking in the industrial ecosystem.

Who can apply?

• The applicant must be registered in one of the eligible countries:
  • The Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU) including their outermost regions.
  • The Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States.
  • Eligible non-EU countries:
    • Countries associated to Horizon Europe.
    • Certain low- and middle-income countries.
• Incorporated after 1st January 2019.
• Have a minimum of EUR 5,000 in revenues in 2023 or EUR 10,000 in investments received or participated in the Grow NEB programme.
• TRL/BRL of at least four or participant in the Grow NEB programme.
• Agree to sign the Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) before the programme start-date.
• Guarantee the participation of at least one of the founders in the programme.
• Please note that both EIT KIC partners and non-partners are welcome to apply. Should there be any interest in signing a partnership agreement with one or multiple KICs, the KIC/s will share the relevant information about membership with the applicant requesting it.

For more information, visit EIT Manufacturing.