EIT Culture & Creativity Accelerator Programme for SMEs and Scale-ups

This initiative targets key sectors such as fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audiovisual media, and games, providing comprehensive support through mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry experts. The programme is designed not only to enhance the operational capabilities of participants but also to facilitate their expansion into new market segments and global markets, driving innovation and contributing to the economic and social fabric of Europe.

Objectives 

• The primary objective of this call is to identify and support SMEs and scale-ups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) to participate in EIT Culture & Creativity’s internal acceleration programmes.
• The service of these programmes is designed to enhance the capabilities of these companies, providing them with the necessary resources, extensive mentorship, coaching and strategic guidance to transition from earlystage ventures to successful scale-ups. SMEs and scale-ups selected for this programme will receive in-kind contributions, primarily access to the acceleration programmes rather than direct financial grants. This includes support from the dedicated partnership and partners, enabling these companies to refine their business models, enhance their market strategies, and achieve significant growth milestones.
• EIT Culture & Creativity’s acceleration programme aims to:
  • Foster innovation and creativity within the CCSI by supporting SMEs and scale-ups that address sector-specific challenges.
  • Enhance the market readiness of innovative solutions and business models in the CCSI.
  • Provide tailored support through mentoring and coaching from a network of universities, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and expert partners.
  • Facilitate growth and sustainability of SMEs and scale-ups by offering access to strategic resources, industry connections, and potential investors.

Focus Areas

• Architecture: Initiatives promoting sustainable building practices and climate-resilient architecture.
• Audio-Visual Media: IP management tools, cross-industry collaborations, and innovative content creation funding models.
• Cultural Heritage: Immersive experiences using AR and VR, and digital transformation projects.
• Fashion: Sustainable practices, digital fashion technologies, and global brand building.
• Gaming: Support for independent developers, leveraging emerging technologies like AI and VR for game development.

Funding Information

• A total budget of €600,000 is allocated, with each selected startup receiving support valued at €20,000.
• A total of 30 companies will be selected for accelerator’s first 8-week phase.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

• The accelerator program aims to achieve several key outcomes and impacts within the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI):
  • Enhanced Capabilities: Participants will gain critical skills and knowledge to refine their business models, improve market strategies, and achieve significant growth milestones.
  • Increased Investment: SMEs and scaleups will be better positioned to attract private and public investments, enabling them to scale and expand their market presence.
  • Innovation and Sustainability: Companies will experiment with and adopt new circular technologies and business models, contributing to sustainable growth within the CCSI.
  • Market Readiness: Participants will be prepared for full commercial deployment, with a clear strategy for market entry and expansion.

Which companies can apply?

• This call for proposals is specifically designed for early-stage SMEs and scale-ups within the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) seeking to participate in EIT Culture & Creativity’s internal acceleration programmes.
• Eligible applicants are single beneficiary entities that meet the following criteria:
  • Company Status: The applicant must be a mature SME, a micro or middle-sized company that has a tested new business model or product; or a scale-up (minimum 3-year-old company, with minimum 5% annual growth on average over the last 2 years) actively operating within at least one of the EIT CC 5 priority areas: fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audio-visual media, and gaming.
  • Legal Entity: The applicant must be a legally established entity in an EU Member State or in a third country associated with Horizon Europe.
  • Innovation Focus: The company should be developing innovative solutions that align with the priority areas of EIT Culture & Creativity, aiming to address specific challenges within the CCSI.
  • Stage of Development: Applicants must be mature, already commercialised scale-ups and SMEs, with a minimum of 3 years of operational activity.
  • Single Beneficiary: Applications must be submitted by a single legal entity. Consortia are not required for this call.
  • Documentation: Applicants need to provide relevant documentation demonstrating their status, legal founding, and innovation focus. Detailed guidelines on the required documentation will be provided later on.

For more information, visit EC.