EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to apply for the Open Call for New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark), designed to support early-stage founders in Cultural and Creative technology (CreaTech) who are ready to turn business concepts into legally established, viable ventures. The Call is open to individuals and multidisciplinary teams developing solutions in fashion, architecture, and advanced material innovations and registered in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries.
Selected applicants will participate in an in-person Startup Sprint followed by the Spark Incubation Programme, receiving up to EUR 30,000 in funding per selected venture concept, alongside mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to the EIT Culture & Creativity ecosystem. Full details below.
Learn more through our webinar
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20 OCTOBER 2026 | 10:00 cet
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10 NOVEMBER 2026 | 10:00 cet
Introduction to the call, focus & scope
Milestones
Call opening
6 October 2026
Application deadline
16 November 2026
17:00 CET
Evaluation of proposals
November 2026 -
January 2027
Communication of results
Beginning of February 2027
Publication of results
March 2027
Tentative start of projects
March 2027
Tentative end of projects
December 2027
€1 050 000
Total financial support & allocation
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Number of grants: Up to 35 business concepts / applicants.
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Reimbursement rate: EIT Culture & Creativity financial support may reimburse up to 100% of the total eligible project costs. To avoid double funding, costs already funded by other EU programmes or sources cannot be reimbursed.
Who can apply
This call is open to early-stage founders (individuals or multidisciplinary teams) complying with the following requirements:
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No registered company with the business concept applying with
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Ready to turn business concepts into scalable, for-profit ventures
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Operating in the focus industries in CCSI included in this call
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Registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe–associated country
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Already testing, building, or validating the business concept (not just ideating)
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Developing a tech-centric solution (material innovation, hardware, or digital solution)
Please note: Applicants selected for the Spark Incubation Programme are required to incorporate a new legal entity by Month 3. Following incorporation, the newly established company must register in the EU Funding & tender opportunities portal, obtain a PIC and successfully complete legal entity validation through the EIT Community Onboarding Service.
KPI requirements
The activities under this call are expected to contribute to the following EIT Culture & Creativity Business Creation key performance indicators (KPIs):
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EITHE03.1 – Number of startups and scale-ups supported by the KIC for at least two months in the reporting year;
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EITHE04.1 – Number of startups established in the reporting year;
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EITHE06.1 – Total euro amount of private and public capital attracted within the year by supported startups and scale-ups.
Formal KPI ownership, consolidation and reporting to the EIT remain the responsibility of EIT Culture & Creativity. EIT Culture & Creativity reserves the right to ask for evidence and documentation from selected applicants for reporting purposes.
Scope and topics of the call
This call focuses on Materials & Built Environment (Fashion & Architecture). Future cohorts will expand to additional sectors, with details to be announced at a later date.
Once selected, participants will join a two-step incubation journey:
- Createch Startup Sprint: A 2-3 days bootcamp hosted in a European city where founders get hands-on help to develop their problem-solution fit, meet with international experts, coaches and peer founders.
- Spark Incubation Programme: A 9-month online venture creation journey where founders are supported by a dedicated coach, curated mentorship, goal-oriented topic workshops, exclusive technology partnerships, and visibility at major European events.
The call prioritises tech-centric solutions with commercial potential, early validation, and a commitment to establishing a legal entity. Applicants must demonstrate a clear problem–solution fit, innovation, and scalability within the Materials & Built Environment (fashion & architecture).
How to apply
Admissibility and eligibility criteria:
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For the admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria please see the call guidelines.
Application form
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The application form will be available from 06/10/2026 until 16/11/2026, 17:00 CET (Berlin time).
List of documents to be submitted:
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Budget plan and EIT funding request
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Application form via online platform, together with Part B
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Lean Startup Canvas
- Venture Execution Plan (outline provided)
Please note: EIT Culture & Creativity may publish updates, clarifications or reasonable amendments to the call conditions before the submission deadline. Any updates will be made available on this call page and will apply equally to all potential applicants.
Key documents for your application
Application form
Part B of the online application form
Annex III in call guidelines
Budget plan and EIT Culture & Creativity funding template
Venture Execution Plan
Eligibility of expenditures
Annex V in call guidelines
Lean startup canvas
Annex VI in call guidelines
Please note this template is subject to change
Subgrant agreement – Project agreement
Declaration of Honour template
EIT Culture & Creativity Guidelines for Project Monitoring and Controlling
Useful links to prepare your application:
EIT Culture & Creativity Strategic Agenda 2024-2027
List of participating countries in Horizon Europe
External link
EIT Culture & Creativity Code of Conduct
EIT Impact Framework (2022-2027) with codes
External link
Ethics: Self-assessment
External link
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ section will be updated throughout the call period. Relevant questions received from potential applicants will be reviewed and, where appropriate, published here to ensure equal access to information for all applicants.