EIT Culture & Creativity has launched a funding call for startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) through its Shape Acceleration and Scale Post-Acceleration programmes. The call provides financial support and tailored venture development services to help high-potential ventures strengthen commercial execution, investment readiness, fundraising and international expansion. For the 2027 cohort, the call focuses on fashion, architecture and audiovisual media. 

The opportunity is open to legally established for-profit entities in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries developing tech-enabled, market-driven and intellectual property-leveraged solutions. The Shape programme targets startups with early market traction and offers up to €100,000, with an additional €100,000 available to top-ranked ventures following the Demo Day. The Scale programme is aimed at startups and scaleups with demonstrated product-market fit, recurring revenues and international scaling potential, offering up to €200,000, or up to €500,000 for ventures headquartered in an EIT Regional Innovation Scheme country.  

The call has a total estimated EIT funding allocation of €8.6 million and is expected to support 50 ventures, with financial support potentially reimbursing up to 100% of eligible project costs. Applications are open until 12 October 2026 at 17:00 CEST, with selected projects expected to start in January 2027. Applicants must submit the required application materials, including a pitch deck, company registration proof, budget and evidence of their solution; additional venture plans and evidence of fundraising or investment apply to Shape and Scale applicants respectively.

Interested ventures should review the full call guidelines and application requirements on the EIT Culture & Creativity website.