EIT Regional Innovation Booster
Backing Bold Start-ups. Building Stronger Regions
The EIT Regional Innovation Booster is a new flagship initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – offering targeted support to start-ups and scale-ups in emerging and moderate innovator countries [1], helping them grow towards commercial success, access international markets, and attract further investment.
It is a tailor-made programme co-designed with national stakeholders to address the specific needs of start-ups and scale-ups. Initially launched in Poland in 2025 as a pre-pilot, it is now being scaled and rolled out across additional Member States, including Malta and Hungary.
The programme aims to simplify and enhance country-specific support by connecting existing funding and initiatives, offering the most promising start-ups a seamless path to commercial success and internationalisation. The EIT plans to invest at least €30 million in piloting the EIT Regional Innovation Booster until 2028.
[1] Based on the classification of innovation performance in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025.
The first-ever EIT Regional Innovation Booster is being piloted in Poland, a dedicated effort to boost the growth of Polish start-ups and scale-ups. Backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and delivered in partnership with Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the 2025-2026 edition has offered tailored, long-term support to high-potential ventures, helping them grow nationally and scale across three markets – Germany, Spain and the Nordic countries.
The pilot phase focuses on ecosystem mapping, start-up selection and mentoring, internationalisation support, and strategic alignment with Poland’s smart specialisation priorities.
Want to learn more about EIT Regional Innovation Booster 2025-2026 pilot? Download the Presentation here.
Read Terms & Conditions here.
Applications are now closed.
Malta is the second country in the world to launch a dedicated edition of the EIT Regional Innovation Booster. Delivered jointly by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and Xjenza Malta - Malta's national agency for research and innovation - the 2026 edition offers a structured, three-stage internationalisation programme exclusively for Maltese start-ups and scale-ups at TRL 7 or higher.
Selected ventures will receive expert support and grants of up to 90,000 EUR to enter and scale across target European markets - Italy, France, or Germany - with top performers gaining additional access to the UK market.
Applications are now closed.
Hungary Edition 2026
Hungary is the third country to launch a dedicated edition of the EIT Regional Innovation Booster. Delivered jointly by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Hungarian National Innovation Agency (NIÜ) – Hungary's national body for innovation policy – the 2027 edition offers a structured, two-phase market-access programme exclusively for Hungarian companies.
A single cohort of eight companies will share EUR 20,000 in EIT funding, alongside a Buddy-led market entry programme and expert mentoring, to enter and scale in a chosen European market.
Application Windows
15 September 2026 – 15 October 2026, 17:00 (CET)
Register the Webinar
21 September 2026, 11:00 (CET)
Call Manual
Review the official guidelines and document
Guidelines for Applicants
Review the official guidelines
Terms and Conditions
Review the official document
Watch the info session
It’s Not yet Another Acceleration
The EIT Regional Innovation Booster aims to reduce fragmentation in Europe’s innovation landscape by aligning local, national, and EU-level initiatives into a seamless entrepreneurial support pathway — particularly in countries with untapped innovation potential.
Strategic, Country-by-Country Investment
We identify the most promising, market-ready ventures country-by-country and give them the push they need to go further.
Tailored Support, No Templates
EIT Regional Innovation Booster offers custom-built, venture-specific support packages: technical de-risking, go-to-market planning, regulatory readiness, and commercial partnerships— co-designed with local stakeholders and aligned with existing EU and national schemes.
Plug-In to Europe’s Innovation Power Grid
EIT Regional Innovation Booster ensures that scale-ready ventures are connected to the EU’s top-tier innovation networks.
Committed, Long-Term Partnership
We work in direct partnership with national authorities, aligning support with regional priorities and industrial strategies. That means your venture gets traction not just from capital and mentoring, but from ecosystem alignment and visibility.
The Hungary edition is delivered in direct partnership with NIÜ – aligning programme objectives with Hungary's national innovation priorities.
You’ve built the technology. We help you take it to international markets
The Hungary 2027 edition is exclusively open to Hungarian start-ups and scale-ups – apply before 15 October 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- A for-profit SME (per the EU definition), legally registered in Hungary
- At least 3 full-time employees (FTEs) at the time of application
- Must own the IPR or hold full exploitation rights to the solution to be taken abroad
- A novel product, service, technology or deep tech solution
- Demonstrated product-market fit in Hungary and proven commercial traction
- The entity must have a minimum of 1-2 FTEs working at the time of proposal submission.
- A maximum of two co-founding members or management representatives per entity may participate in programme activities to ensure training quality. In justified cases, the EIT RIB Coordinator may admit additional team members to specific activities.
- To be eligible for Stage 2, the entity must have at least a CEO, CTO, or COO engaged on a full-time basis by the end of Stage 1. Personnel costs may be partially covered through the grant.
- Climate, Digital, Food & Agritech, Healthcare, Energy and Renewables, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, or Culture & Creativity.
- 20 hours of 1:1 expert mentoring (Phase 1) and 40 hours with a matched EIT RIB Buddy (Phase 2)
- A EUR 2,500 lump-sum travel and conference grant (EUR 20,000 total funding allocated to this Call, across all eight companies)
- International matchmaking and access to the wider EIT Community
Submit your application form, pitch video (max 4 minutes), and SME registration certificate through the EIT Urban Mobility Programmes Portal (NetSuite) before 15 October 2026, 17:00 (CET).
Key Dates
Call opening
15 September 2026
Deadline for applications
15 October 2026, 17:00 (CET)
Results
November 2026
Projects start
December 2026
Duration
December 2026 – June 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
No — the call is specifically designed for startups planning to scale into Germany, Spain, or the Nordic countries. Eligibility requires a “clear intent to scale… to one or more of the following markets: Nordic countries, Germany and Spain”.
You must be at TRL 7 or higher (technology ready for market deployment), i.e., beyond the idea or prototype stage. This means the product is almost market-ready, not just an idea or early MVP.
Yes — this category broadly covers innovative solutions in agriculture and food systems, which includes pet food. If your solution is a novel or scalable innovation in that sector, it is eligible.
Stage 1 doesn’t allocate direct funding; it grants access to bootcamps, mentoring, and matchmaking.
Stage 2, led by Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, will offer de minimis grants—this will be specified in an additional call.
Yes. The document does not require the same individuals who apply or participate in Stage 1 bootcamps to be the same during later stages. Delegated people implementing or representing the start‑up in bootcamps or mentoring can change, subject to programme team acceptance. There is no formal restriction that all the same people must attend each event.
Terms & Conditions, page 7: Deep Tech definition for EIT RIB programme - Deep tech is technology that is based on cuttingedge scientific advances and discoveries and is characterised by the need to stay at the technological forefront by constant interaction with new ideas and results from the lab. Deep tech innovations are understood to be those that have the potential to deliver transformative solutions, rooted in cuttingedge science, technology and engineering, including innovation that combines advances in the physical, biological and digital spheres. Deep tech is distinct from ‘high tech’ which tends to refer only to R&D intensity.
Want to learn more about EIT Regional Innovation Booster Hungary 2026? Download the Presentation below.
Partners
For More Information about EIT Regional Innovation Booster please contact:
Evelin Regina Szász, EIT RIB Hungary Lead – evelin.szasz@eiturbanmobility.eu