The NEB Catalyse programme is looking for start-ups that view social innovation as the key to delivering systems change and new ways of living together. The 28 successful awardees will be welcomed in the EIT Community Catalyse NEB programme that will be tailored to each company.
European start-ups or scale-ups driving change in the areas of climate, cities, transport, industry and food are encouraged to apply. The winning 28 applicants will receive support services worth a total of €50,000 from the EIT, a body of the European Union. Within this, they will benefit from unique NEB-specific training, in addition to leadership coaching, business mentoring and access to one of the most prominent innovation communities in Europe.
Applicants must demonstrate the social relevance and economic impact of their innovation and most importantly, how it embodies the three core principles of the NEB:
• Sustainability – achieving climate goals through circularity and biodiversity
• Aesthetics – emphasising quality of experience and design beyond functionality
• Inclusion – championing diversity, securing accessibility and improving affordability
Who can apply?
Start-ups and scale-ups from the culture and creative sectors and industries are encouraged to apply. Entities that have participated in other activities implemented in the framework of the EIT Community NEB are also encouraged to apply. More specifically, a dedicated slot will be secured for past participants of the Grow NEB programme. As a result, the cohort will be composed of a total of 28 start-ups with 26 being determined through the conventional selection process and two start-ups being selected from applications submitted by participants in the EIT Community’s Grow NEB programme.
Eligibility criteria:
- Registered in a Horizon Europe associated country.
- Incorporated after 1st January 2019.
- Have a minimum of EUR 5,000 in revenues in 2023 or EUR 10,000 in investments received, or participated in Grow NEB programme.
- Technology or Business Readiness Levels (TRL/BRL) of at least 4 or participated in Grow NEB programme.
- Agree to sign Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) before the programme start date.
- Guarantee the participation of at least one of the founders in the programme.
Important: DO NOT apply to this call if your venture is not in a position to sign the SAFE.
Supported activities
The range of EIT Community NEB supported activities includes a list of challenges thematically arranged across four Thematic Axes and sub-challenges. Applicants’ products and services must address at least one of the NEB Thematic Axes, indicating one or more sub-challenges in their local ecosystem, and demonstrate their potential to scale-up.
In addition, the products and services must clearly address an identified social challenge, ideally determined within a specific social group who would benefit from the existence of such products or services.
The four Thematic Axes are:
- Reconnecting with nature
- Regaining a sense of belonging
- Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
- Fostering long-term, life-cycle and integrated thinking in the industrial ecosystem
EIT funding allocation
The 28 successful awardees will be welcomed in the EIT Community Catalyse NEB programme that will be tailored to each company.
The programme is divided into three core pillars: 1. business, 2. NEB, and 3. communications. The services provided are in the form of interactive workshops, one-on-one mentoring on both the design and business dimensions, and in-person and online networking events, with the aim to assess and further develop both the business structure of the company and its alignment with NEB core values and principles within each organisation.
Each of the activities mentioned above will be deployed in the form of meetings, workshops and events that will be carried online or in person at the EIT Community’s discretion. External visibility and networking opportunities are guaranteed during the full length of the programme. The EIT Community NEB reserves the right to alter certain services provided based on the assessed needs to the start-ups selected in the cohort.
In addition to the above services, each company will also receive a grant of EUR 20,000 to be used for travel, participation in events and other goods and services needed for dissemination and exploitation purposes.
Abou the New European Bauhaus
Initially announced by President Von der Leyen in her State of the Union address and launched by the European Commission in early 2021, the NEB is best understood as a practical application of the European Green Deal, which aims to improve the health, wellbeing and daily lives of both citizens and future generations. The EIT Community is ideally placed to support the implementation of the NEB as it has created Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem with over 2,000 partners (business, research, education, cities) cooperating in over 60 hubs across Europe. By engaging with European innovators and civil society at large, the community is promoting business through start-up creation and growth, as well as contributing to citizen education and engagement. Join the New European Bauhaus Catalyse programme and help shape a more sustainable, beautiful and inclusive future for Europe.
Click here to learn more about the programme.
