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EIT Jumpstarter 2025: Last Call for Innovators in Europe

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has opened the final registration for the EIT Jumpstarter 2025 program. This initiative is a primary pre-accelerator, designed to transform innovative ideas into viable startups. With an emphasis on discovering and nurturing exceptional talent across Europe, the program particularly aims to engage innovators from the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the EU's Outermost Regions.

Program Details and Objectives

This year's EIT Jumpstarter program offers a substantial funding of €150,000 along with tailored support aimed at driving innovative concepts to market-readiness. This call for applications represents a pivotal moment for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to connect with one of Europe's leading innovation networks. Interested candidates should submit their applications before the deadline of April 2, 2025, via the official EIT Jumpstarter website.

The initiative has seen tremendous success in its past eight editions, shaping the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe significantly. Notably, it has:

• - Empowered over 1,300 individuals in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• - Facilitated the founding of 124 startups, resulting in the creation of around 2,600 new jobs.
• - Enabled EIT startups to secure approximately €150 million in external investment, averaging an impressive ROI of €30 for every euro invested in the program.

As Tina Benda from EIT RawMaterials emphasized, "The EIT Jumpstarter is the ideal platform for validating innovative ideas and exploring their market potential."

Special Emphasis on Targeted Regions

This year, there's a notable focus on innovators from the Mediterranean and EU's Outermost Regions. Regions such as Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Martinique, Mayotte, and Saint Martin (France), as well as Azores and Madeira (Portugal) and Canary Islands (Spain), are especially encouraged to apply. Additionally, talents from emerging areas like North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are invited as there are tailored opportunities for these regions.

Application Categories

Entrants can submit applications across eight distinct categories, namely:
1. Food and Agricultural Technology
2. Healthcare
3. Advanced and Green Manufacturing
4. Energy and Renewable Energies
5. Smart Cities and Urban Mobility
6. European New Bauhaus (NEB)
7. Rebuilding Ukraine
8. Metals, Minerals, and Secondary Industrial Currents
Applications will be accepted until April 2, 2025, on the EIT Jumpstarter platform.

From the pool of applicants, 190 teams will be selected to participate in online bootcamps and Pitch Days. Following this, 80 teams will receive localized training to refine their business plans and register their startups. In November 2025, 48 teams will compete in the final pitch competition for cash prizes and visibility in the EIT, Europe's largest innovation network.

The EIT's Role in Innovation

The EIT is dedicated to bolstering Europe's innovation capacity by addressing global challenges and fostering entrepreneurial talent, contributing to sustainable growth and the creation of skilled jobs across the continent. As a crucial component of Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation framework program, the EIT is at the forefront of driving meaningful change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Join the European innovation wave and seize this final chance to turn your ideas into reality!