Applications are now available for the EIT Jumpstarter in the year 2025
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has opened applications for its annual pre-acceleration program, EIT Jumpstarter 2025. This 7-month program aims to help early-stage innovators develop their business ideas, providing training, mentoring, and funding opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
The program targets early-stage innovators from over 22 countries, particularly entrepreneurs and startups with innovative ideas ready for market development. While specific team or company size requirements are not explicitly stated, participation generally requires at least one committed team member working on the business idea. Unlike some other EIT initiatives, full legal entity registration or employee minimums are not clearly noted as mandatory for Jumpstarter.
Categories
EIT Jumpstarter focuses on innovative startups and early ventures, broadly covering a range of sectors including digital innovation and climate action, aligning with EIT’s strategic priorities for Europe. The program supports ventures with the potential for significant commercial impact and scalability.
Application Process
Applications for the 2025 program opened recently and the deadline is August 31, 2025. Participants apply online via the EIT Jumpstarter platform and are selected based on the quality and innovation potential of their projects. The program offers different windows for application, with the second window recently closed on June 30, 2025, indicating a phased approach.
Accepted teams receive financial support, training in business basics, pitching, business plan development, and access to a European network of experts and investors. The program culminates in pitching opportunities to investors and competition for final prizes.
Benefits
The benefits of participating in EIT Jumpstarter 2025 include prizes (€2,500 to €10,000), training, mentoring, network access, and a travel budget. The competition for EIT Jumpstarter 2025 culminates in November, with the final 48 teams competing for cash prizes and exposure to Europe's largest innovation network-EIT.
Summary
In summary, the EIT Jumpstarter 2025 pre-acceleration program is a fantastic opportunity for early-stage innovators to develop their business ideas, gain valuable training and mentorship, and access funding and networking opportunities. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and Europe's strategic priorities, this program could be the stepping stone your startup needs to take off.
If you want in-depth requirements for team size, legal status, or intellectual property rights, the official EIT Jumpstarter website or specific program calls would have the most precise details. The EIT Jumpstarter is distinct from other EIT programs that impose stricter legal or operational thresholds such as the EIT Regional Innovation Booster.
Since its launch in 2017, EIT Jumpstarter has trained over 1,300 young talents and helped establish 124 start-ups. Participants will have the opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and access expert training and mentorship from industry leaders. The program aims to help transform ideas into successful startups.
Additionally, the program includes a "Rebuild Ukraine" category for Ukrainian innovators. Last year, Latvia's NEAMO was among the main winners. The pre-acceleration program for EIT Jumpstarter 2025 starts in May, selecting 190 teams through an online training process.
If you have an early-stage product or service idea addressing challenges in one of the following categories: health, food and agriculture, raw materials, energy and renewable energy, smart cities and mobility, or manufacturing, consider applying for EIT Jumpstarter 2025. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2025. Good luck!
[1] EIT Jumpstarter Official Website [2] EIT Jumpstarter 2025 Information Brochure [3] EIT Jumpstarter 2025 Timeline [4] EIT Jumpstarter 2025 Success Stories [5] EIT Jumpstarter 2025 Application Process
- The European Institute of Innovation & Technology's (EIT) Jumpstarter 2025 program, focusing on early-stage innovators, embraces a diverse range of sectors, such as agriculture, finance, business, technology, education-and-self-development, and digital innovation, particularly those with potential for significant commercial impact and scalability.
- As part of the EIT Jumpstarter 2025 program, accepted teams can expect benefits that encompass financial support, mentoring, training in various aspects of business, access to a European network of experts and investors, and opportunities to pitch their ideas to investors for cash prizes and exposure to Europe's largest innovation network.
- In line with the program's objective of transforming ideas into successful startups, participants in EIT Jumpstarter 2025 will have the chance to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, access expert training, and mentorship from industry leaders, while specifically addressing challenges in health, food and agriculture, raw materials, energy and renewable energy, smart cities and mobility, or manufacturing.
