Deadline: January 20, 2026
The European Commission is calling for projects to strengthen interconnected innovation ecosystems across Europe and facilitate the expansion of start-ups from less developed regions to foreign markets.
Focus areas for this opportunity include increased foreign venture investments from funds from ‘strong’ or ‘innovation leader’ innovator regions and enabling later-stage growth for expansion to these regions of local start-ups from less connected and developed innovation ecosystems (’emerging” or ‘moderate’ innovator regions); increased foreign investors’ awareness and access to the flow of local deals from ’emerging’ or ‘moderate’ innovator regions; improved foreign investors’ knowledge on regulatory frameworks and networks/syndicates to support joint cross-border venture investment in underserved markets; improved start-ups’ knowledge from ’emerging’ or ‘moderate’ innovator regions on market and regulatory frameworks and expectations from networks in foreign ‘strong’ or ‘innovation leader’ innovator regions to support their expansion and access to funding; increased available and committed venture capital in less connected innovation ecosystems, enhancing their scale, diversity, breadth, openness and potential.
This action targets the lack of later-stage funding and partners for expansion to foreign markets, which often limits the growth of start-ups in less developed ecosystems. Projects should propose co-designed programmes of activities lasting at least two years, delivered by business acceleration service providers, investor networks and clubs, and/or innovation hubs. Activities include market orientation programmes for both foreign investors and local start-ups, assistance during the investment process, roadshows to innovation hubs, organisation of European business forums and networking events, cooperation with public and private buyers, and creation of repositories and recommendations to facilitate cross-border investment.
The activities should address one or more of the five burning challenges of the New European Innovation Agenda: reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing global food security, mastering digital transformation including cybersecurity, improving healthcare, and achieving circularity. Proposals are encouraged to collaborate with innovation agencies, government organisations, and relevant EU initiatives such as the Enterprise Europe Network, and to seek synergies with other funded projects.
Eligible proposals must involve at least three independent legal entities from three different Member States or Associated Countries, including at least one from a ‘moderate’ or ’emerging’ innovator region and one from a ‘strong’ or ‘innovation leader’ region. Funding is provided as a lump sum under the Horizon Europe programme, with a total budget of approximately €5,000,000 and an indicative allocation for up to five grants.
This opportunity aims to create interconnected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems that enhance cross-border investment, accelerate start-up growth, and foster sustainable, green, and digital transitions across Europe. By linking less connected regions with strong innovation hubs, it enables access to finance, market knowledge, networks, and capabilities critical for scaling innovative companies.
For more information, visit EC.
