EIT Culture & Creativity acts as a key partner, leading significant innovation throughout Europe's Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). We pinpoint five crucial sectors where creative approaches can bring about widespread transformation.
We then back businesses in these sectors, providing bespoke funding and market entry, delivered through our annual Innovation Call.
Services and support
More than funding: Your complete innovation partner
At EIT Culture & Creativity, financial support is just the beginning. As part of our Innovation Call each year, we provide comprehensive services designed to accelerate your journey from prototype to market success. Our integrated approach combines funding, expertise, connections and strategic guidance to maximise your innovation's impact.
Financial support: Grants
We support up to 15 early-stage innovations (TRL 7) with strong market potential each year through grants including:
- Substantial funding for market entry and scaling
- Equity/SAFE agreements ensuring long-term partnership
- Strategic investor connections International market access support
- Advanced IP portfolio management
Strategic mentoring & coaching
An expert guidance when you need it most, from experienced mentors, coaches and advisors:
- Industry Mentors: Access to 100+ seasoned professionals across architecture, fashion, audiovisual, gaming and AI sectors who have built and scaled successful creative businesses.
- Technical Advisors: Specialists in product development, technology integration, sustainability practices, and digital transformation who help overcome technical challenges.
- Business Coaches: Support in business model refinement, pricing strategy, customer acquisition, financial planning and operational excellence.
250+ Investor Network
- Impact investors prioritising cultural and social value
- Venture capital funds with CCSI expertise
- Corporate venture arms from major brands
- Public-private partnership opportunities
- Alternative funding instruments (crowdfunding, revenue-based financing)
Matchmaking Services
- Curated investor introductions based on your sector and stage
- Warm introductions through our trusted network
- Preparation calls before investor meetings
- Follow-up coordination and feedback loops
Five sectors driving Europe's creative future
EIT Culture & Creativity focuses on five high-impact sectors where innovation can transform industries, create sustainable value, and address pressing societal challenges. Our sector-specific approach ensures tailored support, relevant expertise and strong ecosystem connections.
Architecture & Built Environment
Transforming how we design, build and live
The architecture and built environment sector is critical to achieving Europe's climate goals, with buildings accounting for 40% of energy consumption. We support innovations in sustainable construction, circular materials, adaptive reuse and smart city solutions aligned with the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics.
Innovation Focus Areas
- Sustainable and low-carbon construction materials
- Digital fabrication and robotic manufacturing
- Modular and rapid deployment structures
- Heritage preservation and adaptive reuse
- Smart building technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) integration
- Urban regeneration and inclusive design
Fashion & Textiles
Building a circular, sustainable fashion economy
The fashion industry faces mounting pressure to transform its environmental and social impact. We support innovations that drive circularity, reduce waste, leverage digital technologies and create transparent, ethical supply chains while maintaining creativity and commercial viability.
Innovation Focus Areas
- Circular design and zero-waste production
- Sustainable and bio-based materials
- Digital fashion and virtual garments
- AI-powered size recommendation and fit prediction
- Textile recycling and upcycling technologies
- Blockchain for supply chain transparency
Audio-Visual Media
Innovating content creation and distribution
The audiovisual sector is undergoing rapid transformation led by streaming, AI, immersive technologies and changing audience behaviors. We support innovations that enhance creative workflows, enable new storytelling formats and create sustainable production practices.
Innovation Focus Areas
- AI-powered content production and post-production
- Immersive storytelling (VR/AR/XR)
- Real-time content processing and metadata extraction
- Sustainable production practices (green filming)
- Interactive and personalised content experiences
- Rights management and AI training datasets
Gaming & Interactive Media
Powering the future of play and engagement
Gaming is Europe's fastest-growing creative sector, extending beyond entertainment into education, health, cultural heritage and social impact. We support innovations that push creative and technical boundaries while addressing accessibility, sustainability and new business models.
Innovation Focus Areas
- Applied gaming for education and training
- VR/AR experiences for cultural heritage
- Accessible and inclusive game design
- AI-driven game development tools
- Sustainable gaming infrastructure
- New monetisation and publishing models
Cultural Heritage
Harnessing AI for creative excellence
Artificial Intelligence is transforming every aspect of the cultural and creative sectors. We've dedicated €5 million specifically for AI-enabled innovations that enhance creativity, protect rights, improve accessibility and create new value while ensuring ethical, human-centric approaches.
Innovation Focus Areas
- Generative AI for creative content
- AI-powered personalisation and recommendation
- Automated rights management and licensing
- AI for cultural heritage preservation and access
- Creative assistance and augmentation tools
- Ethical AI frameworks for cultural content