The EIT Community Booster is coordinated by EIT Digital and supported by EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility. Together, the initiators are seeking the most innovative startups and scaleups driving sustainable change for cities, businesses, climate, nutrition, well-being, or holistic quality of life. They want to support their business growth and help them develop into international game changers.
Taking business to the next level
The initiative will select twenty companies to receive €50,000 each in business development support. The grants will consist of grants and services designed to help companies take their business to the next level.
The New European Bauhaus was launched by the European Commission to translate the European Green Deal into concrete, positive practice in which all Europeans can participate and grow together. The EIT Community Booster aims to identify and support startups and scaleups that integrate one of the three core dimensions of the New European Bauhaus:
1. Sustainability, from climate targets to circular economy, to solutions for pollution and biodiversity
2. Aesthetics, quality of experience and style beyond its functionality
3. Inclusion, from promoting diversity to ensuring accessibility and affordability
The initiative’s approach is multi-level, from global to local, as well as participatory and trans-disciplinary.
Rethinking sustainable living
Gioia Ghezzi, Chair of the EIT Board, said:
"The EIT Community unites virtually all aspects of the New European Bauhaus and provides the ideal ecosystem for discovering interesting ideas and startups from across Europe. We can't wait to find creative and innovative solutions and help them grow. Solutions that will help us rethink sustainable living and make living spaces more beautiful and affordable!"
Five programs are available
From business coaching to financing and internationalization support, the following five programs each offer a comprehensive service package that companies at various stages of development can use to boost their growth, secure financing, or expand internationally. Depending on their area of interest and expertise, entrepreneurs are invited to apply for one or more programs within the EIT Community Booster and their associated EIT European Bauhaus branch:
– EIT Digital Accelerator: For scaleups that drive digital transformation through innovative solutions and products for various industries, cities and communities, integrating circularity, inclusion and aesthetics to create a greener, safer and more sustainable future.
– The Clean Cities ClimAccelerator: For startups that develop innovative projects in the fields of renewable energy, mobility and upcycling that contribute to more sustainable, healthier and cleaner cities, thus improving the quality of life and experiences of citizens.
– EIT Food Accelerator Network: For start-up agri-food companies that want to impact a large part of the agriculture or food supply chain, thus working to build a healthier, more trustworthy, and more sustainable food system for both local and global communities.
– EIT Manufacturing Accelerator: For startups that enable more environmentally friendly and socially sustainable production and promote long-term, lifecycle-oriented and integrated thinking in the industry.
– EIT Urban Mobility Accelerator: For startups that want to develop sustainable alternatives to built-up areas in urban spaces as places of encounter, biodiversity, and public discourse, as well as achieve improved accessibility and barrier-free access. For greater well-being and universal mobility for all as the key to social equality.
Apply now
Companies can apply for the EIT Community Booster until December 17, 2021. Further information on the programs, selection criteria and prices can be found here.
