EIT Jumpstarter 2026: Empowering Innovators Across Emerging European Regions

The EIT Jumpstarter programme - one of Europe’s most impactful pre‑acceleration initiatives - continues to strengthen innovation capacity across emerging regions as it moves into its 2026 edition. Supported through the long‑standing partnership between the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), the programme is once again preparing to nurture a new generation of science‑driven entrepreneurs.

A Strengthened COST–EIT Collaboration Amplifying Talent Development

The sustained collaboration between COST and EIT, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding renewed for 2025–2027, enhances the programme’s ability to bridge scientific research and real‑world innovation. COST’s vast research networks provide a rich pool of scientific talent, while EIT Jumpstarter serves as the mechanism to transform that talent into business‑ready innovators.

This strengthened partnership directly feeds into the 2026 edition of the programme, ensuring that more researchers from across Europe’s emerging innovation ecosystems are introduced to entrepreneurial pathways and supported through structured training and mentorship.

A Proven Pre‑Acceleration Framework

EIT Jumpstarter operates as a seven‑month pre‑accelerator, offering:

• Tailored mentoring and business model refinement

• Development of investment‑ready business plans

• Access to Europe’s broader innovation ecosystem through the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS)

Participants are evaluated throughout the programme, with only the top six projects in each category advancing to the Grand Final - reinforcing a high‑quality, competitive environment that pushes teams toward excellence.

Building on the Momentum of 2025

The programme enters 2026 following a highly successful 2025 cycle, which demonstrated the impact of the COST-EIT partnership:

• 29 COST‑related applications, with 13 advancing to Bootcamp (a 44% success rate)

• Three COST‑affiliated teams reaching the Grand Final

• Winners included innovators such as Dr Hugo Caires (Portugal), who secured both the category first prize and a special award for outermost regions.

These outcomes highlight the growing integration of scientific excellence and business development that the 2026 edition aims to expand even further.

By bridging the fundamental science supported by COST with the commercial focus of EIT Jumpstarter, I am now working to transform the insulation industry with bio-based aerogels that replace synthetic alternatives and drive the circular bioeconomy.

Dr Michal Kowalczyk, EIT Jumpstarter participant

Preparing for the 2026 Pre‑Jumpstarter Webinar

As part of the programme’s early‑stage support activities, the COST-EIT pre‑Jumpstarter webinar for 2026 will be announced soon. This annual event has become a key entry point for researchers interested in participating. The 2025 webinar attracted strong engagement and offered:

• In‑depth insights into the EIT innovation ecosystem

• Practical guidance for submitting strong applications

• Networking opportunities with mentors, programme alumni, and innovation experts

Further details for the 2026 webinar will be published in the COST website events section.

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