We are thrilled to announce that EIT Higher Education Initiative Community have just launched the second edition of the HEIPowered Startup Pitch Competition! 

The main objective of this competition is to further accelerate the growth of the startups created or supported through EIT Higher Education Initiative projects, strengthen their market readiness, scalability, and long-term sustainability, and contribute to a stronger entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Europe. This is a unique opportunity for early-stage startups to showcase their ventures and compete for funding, mentorship, and increased visibility.

The competition will consist of two stages:

Stage 1: Online Proposal

Within the first stage, startups will submit an online application, including a Pitch Deck presentation. Based on the evaluation of these applications, the top five-ranked startups will be selected and invited to the in-person Startup Pitch Competition (second stage), scheduled to take place in Q4 2026 in a European city.

Stage 2: In-person Startup Pitch Competition and Selection

In the second stage, the five shortlisted startups will present their ventures through live pitches at the in-person event. Following the presentations, three winners will be selected to receive:

Cash fund:

• 1st place: 15.000€
• 2nd place: 10.000€
• 3rd place: 5.000€

Mentorship:

• The three winning startups will each receive 8 hours of individualized mentoring from a pool of expert mentors.
• Additionally, the two remaining finalists will each receive 3 hours of individualized mentoring.

Who can apply?

Startups that were created or supported through a project funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative and have been officially reported by their project (Cohorts 1–3 and Cohort 4, Phase 1) are eligible to apply.

Eligible startups must be registered legal entities in a Member State of the European Union and/or a third country associated with Horizon Europe. They must have a proof of concept, prototype, or minimum viable product (MVP), and must not have been among the top three winners of the first edition of the HEI Powered Startup Pitch Competition.

How to apply?

Please find all the information here: HEIPowered Startup Pitch Competition – Second Edition – EIT Urban Mobility

Info webinars

To help applicants prepare and submit their proposals, we will host an information session on 22 June from 12 am to 1 pm. Register here.

Contact details

Do you have any questions? Contact us at info@eit-hei-alumni.eu.

Deadline for applications: 8 July 2026 (17.00 CET)