Boosting creative startups for disruptive innovation

Overview

Supports creative startups in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to scale up or achieve disruptive innovation, targeting those with high-impact potential. Focuses on developing and testing methods to accelerate growth, validate approaches through pilot trials, and increase visibility of Europe’s creative startup ecosystem.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., SMEs, startups, universities, research organizations, public bodies, investors, or enterprise support bodies) from eligible countries. Projects must involve at least three pilot trials in different settings to validate proposed approaches.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €6,000,000 per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Financial support to third parties (e.g., creative startups) is permitted, with a maximum of €60,000 per third party.

What Is Funded

• Development and testing of innovative methods to boost the growth of creative startups into scaleups (Option a) or to enable disruptive innovation (Option b).
• Pilot trials (minimum three) to validate approaches under real-world conditions.
• Activities may include shared technological resources, IPR assessments, investor readiness programs, matchmaking platforms, or co-financing mechanisms.
• Coordination with existing EU-funded networks, incubators, accelerators, or venture capital initiatives is encouraged.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Targets projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6.
• Creative startups must be younger than 10 years, with an innovative product, service, or business model aimed at scaling up.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-05-11
• Deadline: 2026-09-22

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Proposals must include a detailed budget table and adhere to a 50-page limit for Part B of the application.
• Evaluation follows Horizon Europe criteria, with awards prioritized to ensure a balanced portfolio across both options (a and b).

Post-Award Obligations

• Projects must demonstrate effectiveness, such as a supported startup becoming a scaleup or achieving market disruption.
• The granting authority may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to four years post-project.
• Reporting and dissemination requirements apply, including coordination with other funded projects for common impact.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries (Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland), and select non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific provisions.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must clearly indicate whether they address Option a (scaling up) or Option b (disruptive innovation).
• Projects should leverage existing EU initiatives (e.g., EIT Culture & Creativity, Horizon Europe-funded networks) where applicable.
• Minimum project duration: 4 years.