#Innovation #Poland #EIT Jumpstarter #start-ups #Budapest

EIT Jumpstarter Concludes with 24 Innovative Start-ups

The EIT Jumpstarter program, designed to nurture innovation across Europe, had its Grand Final on November 28 in Budapest, Hungary. This year's competition saw an impressive 49 teams from 21 countries striving for success across nine categories, resulting in the awarding of 24 new, science-based start-ups.

The EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) initiative aims to transform visionary ideas into functional businesses, having trained over 1,180 individuals and led to the formation of 124 start-ups in various developing regions. Moreover, these enterprises have collectively generated 2,100 new jobs and attracted a remarkable €150 million in external funding.

Martin Kern, director of EIT, emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Jumpstarter program for bridging the funding gap in Europe's innovation landscape.

"Every euro invested in the program generates 30 euros in external funding for newly built start-ups, making EIT Jumpstarter an effective platform for budding founders," said Piotr Boulange of the program.

Throughout the seven-month journey, participants engaged in refining their science-based business concepts, ultimately equipping them to thrive in the competitive market landscape. Among the recognized winners were:

• - NEAMO from Latvia (EIT Food)
• - BIOCHIP-PATHFINDER from Portugal (EIT Health)
• - StoreNow from Portugal (EIT InnoEnergy)
• - Yapar3D from Turkey (EIT Manufacturing)
• - Total Energy from Croatia (EIT RawMaterials)

Notably, the Urbix Hub from Bulgaria (EIT Urban Mobility) and POWAR STEAM from Spain (New European Bauhaus) also received accolades. Furthermore, Drone NonDestructiveTesting from Ukraine (part of the Rebuild Ukraine initiative) was awarded, along with the WellscanPro from Kosovo, which received a special mention for the Western Balkans. The title of Most Outstanding EIT Jumpstarter Alumni was conferred to Lightly from Czechia.

As the program gears up for its next edition, scheduled to open in January 2025 with pre-registration already underway, additional support is expected to target talent from Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the Mediterranean, and other regions of the EU. This focus aligns with EIT Jumpstarter's commitment to extend its impact and foster innovation wherever it is most needed.

With the culmination of this year's initiative, hopes are high for the emergence of even more innovative solutions to societal challenges as new entrepreneurial talent takes center stage through the EIT Jumpstarter program. The initiative not only establishes new start-ups but also cultivates vital skills and stimulates a culture of entrepreneurship in various regions, reinforcing the foundation for a sustainable and innovative future in Europe.