The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Hungarian Innovation Agency (NIÜ) have opened a call for applications under the EIT Regional Innovation Booster to support innovative startups and scaleups in Hungary.
The seven-month programme aims to help Hungarian startups and scaleups develop a strategy for entering their chosen EU market, build business connections, and secure commercial contracts. The EIT Regional Innovation Booster is a unique initiative, co-designed with local actors, investors, startups, industry, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, and national authorities, to strengthen Hungarian ventures in their internationalisation activities.
Hungary joins the pilot
The Hungarian Innovation Agency, a national agency for innovation, cooperates with EIT under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025. Hungary is the third country to launch a national EIT Regional Innovation Booster, after Poland in 2025 and Malta in 2026. These pilots are part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme, an EIT initiative to support innovation ecosystems in emerging and moderate innovator countries.
‘Through the EIT Regional Innovation Booster programme, we are offering Hungarian startups an opportunity that not only prepares them to enter international markets but also provides them with direct connections to European mentors, investors and potential business partners. I encourage Hungarian startups working in the fields of energy, mobility, new technologies or environmental protection to make use of this opportunity and take another important step towards international growth.’ — László Bódis, CEO of the Hungarian Innovation Agency
‘The EIT’s Regional Innovation Scheme is a flagship initiative in our commitment to closing Europe’s innovation gap and ultimately aims to enable talents and startups to succeed regardless of where they are based in Europe. We are proud that, together with the Hungarian Innovation Agency, we can now provide concrete opportunities to companies in Hungary to benefit from being part of a more connected and competitive European innovation ecosystem.’ — Martin Kern, Director of the EIT
The programme will run from December 2026 to June 2027 in two phases:
- During Phase 1, Market Preparation, the selected scaleups will validate their target EU market and develop a market-entry strategy through workshops and expert mentoring. Each will then be matched with an experienced ‘Buddy’ from its chosen market and sector.
- During Phase 2, Market Expansion, the companies will implement their strategies with hands-on support, further workshops and international matchmaking through the EIT Community. Each participant will receive a €2,500 travel and conference package for in-person activities during this phase.
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- be a for-profit SME, as defined by the EU, legally registered and operating in Hungary, with at least three full-time employees at the time of application;
- fully own, or hold exclusive commercialisation rights to, the intellectual property behind a novel, market-ready product, service, technology or deep-tech solution, with demonstrated product-market fit in Hungary and proven commercial traction; and
- operate in one of the programme’s eight thematic areas: climate; digital; food and agritech; healthcare; energy and renewables; raw materials; urban mobility; or culture and creativity.
How to apply
Applicants must submit a completed application form in English, a valid SME company registration certificate and a pitch video of up to four minutes through the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite) — see the guidelines for applicants for full instructions. Register for the online information session on 21 September 2026, 11:00 CEST, which will explain the call, eligibility requirements, submission procedure and evaluation process. Applications close on 15 October 2026 at 17:00 CEST. Full eligibility criteria and application details are available in the call manual and on the EIT Regional Innovation Booster website.
Key dates
- Call opens: 15 September 2026
- Info webinar: 21 September 2026, 11:00 CEST
- Application deadline: 15 October 2026, 17:00 CEST
- Evaluation and communication of results: November 2026
- Tentative start of projects: December 2026
- Programme duration: December 2026 – June 2027