EIT DIGITAL CHAMPIONS

Innovative scaleups incorporated in one of the 27 member states of the European Union, or one of the Horizon Europe associated countries are eligible. Companies need to be in the growth stage, which has to be proven by showing either minimum revenues of €500,000 in 2023 or by having raised total equity funding of min. €2,000,000.

The competition is focusing on ‘deep tech’ scaleups, broadly defined as technology companies with a differentiating product offering, built around unique scientific or technological advances which are often protected or hard to reproduce. 

Lastly, the company needs to be in operation for less than ten years. In other words, the incorporation date needs to be after the 1^st of January 2014.

The call for applications will be open on November 30, 2023 and it will be closed on January 30, 2024 at 23:59 CET.

You will have to provide information regarding your company and team, your innovative technology, your business model, your target market as well as your financial estimates.

All submissions will be evaluated by experts from EIT Digital. We will examine the market and internationalization potential of your product or service as well as the quality of your core team. We will also consider the fit of your product or service to our thematic areas and the impact our support could have on your business.

Your information is treated with absolute confidentiality. The information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of selecting the most innovative scaleups in the frame of this contest.

After the end of our application phase, our evaluators will do a first review based on the information that was submitted. Roughly two days after the application phase, a shortlist of companies will be invited to a call with our evaluators. After these calls, up to 20 winners will be selected and announced in March 2024.

If you are among the lucky winners selected, you will need to ensure your participation in the in-person event. You will have to prepare a pitch in English and be ready to present in front of VCs and EIT Digital staff members. The event will be held during Viva Tech in Paris, between 22 and 25 May, 2024. You will receive more details regarding the timing, travel compensation, and the setup in due time.

Up to 20 companies will receive a full year of tailored international growth support by the EIT Digital Growth Services worth €50,000 to scale up their business. Our team of experienced fundraising specialists will support you in securing your financing round and our business developers can coach you in your international goal ambitions. We will communicate your success and share your story through our powerful on - and offline channels and leading European media outlets, generating valuable international exposure for your business.

For more information, please click here.

For more information, please click here.

Please contact us anytime at champions@eitdigital.eu.