Please make sure to read our Contest Conditions.
For your convenience, we have collected answers to the most common questions below.
Who can apply?
Innovative scaleups incorporated in one of the 27 member states of the European Union, United Kingdom, 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 €300,000 in 2022 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. Company’s solution must be applicable to one of the 5 thematic areas: Digital Industry, Digital Finance, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing and Digital Tech.
Lastly, the company needs to be in operation for less than ten years.
What are the deadlines?
The call for applications will be open on January 31, 2021 and it will be closed on March 28, 2023 at 23:59 CEST.
What information has to be provided?
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.
How are you evaluating applications?
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.
How do you deal with Intellectual Property?
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.
When will I be informed about the status of my application?
After the end of our application phase, our evaluators will do a first review based on the information that was submitted. Roughly two weeks after the application phase, a shortlist of companies will be invited to a call with our evaluators. After these calls, up to twenty finalists will be selected and announced in May 2023.
What if I am selected for the final event?
If you are among the lucky finalists selected, you will need to ensure the participation in the final event. You will have to prepare a pitch in English and be ready to present in front of our expert jury. The final event will be held on June 6, 2023. You will receive more details regarding the timing, travel compensation, and the setup in due time.
What is included in the prize package?
Up to 10 companies will receive a full year of tailored international growth support by the EIT Digital Accelerator 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.
Who is part of EIT Digital’s pan-European network?
For more information, please click here.
Where can I find more information on the EIT Digital Accelerator?
For more information, please click here.
How can I reach you if I have a question that hasn’t been answered here?
Please contact us anytime at challenge@eitdigital.eu.
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