The Catalyse NEB program is designed to support impact-driven startups that align innovation with the core values of inclusion, aesthetics, and sustainability. As a key instrument for translating the European Green Deal into tangible community benefits, the program focuses on transforming urban environments, material production, and social structures. By participating, startups gain a verified entry point into the European Union's broader funding and innovation landscape, connecting their business growth directly to the European Commission's flagship New European Bauhaus initiative.
Financial and Professional Benefits
- Each selected startup receives a grant of €22,000 intended for business growth, professional travel, and dissemination activities.
- Participants benefit from a tailored mentorship program and specialized workshops focusing on business development, NEB values, and strategic communication.
- The program provides exclusive access to EIT-wide events and high-level visibility opportunities across the European innovation ecosystem.
- Startups are granted direct introductions to investors and matchmaking services to facilitate future funding rounds.
- Successful applicants gain access to a vast cross-sector network involving four EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and hundreds of European partner cities.
Startup Eligibility Requirements
- Legal Status: Applicants must be registered as legal entities within the European Union or in countries eligible for Horizon Europe.
- Company Maturity: The startup must have been incorporated after January 1, 2020.
- Funding Threshold: Eligible companies must have raised less than €1 million in total funding to date.
- Investment Stage: The call is open to startups at the pre-seed, seed, or early Series A stages.
- Team Commitment: At least one founder must be committed to active participation throughout the duration of the program.
- Financial Agreement: Applicants must be prepared to sign a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).
Specific Traction and Entry Criteria
- Revenue or Investment: Applicants must demonstrate at least €15,000 in revenue during the 2025 calendar year or have secured a minimum of €40,000 in investment.
- Alternative Pathway: Graduates of the "Grow NEB" program are eligible to apply regardless of the specific revenue or investment figures mentioned above.
Key Dates and Selection Timeline
- Call Opening: The application window officially opens on October 27, 2025.
- Informational Briefing: A dedicated online info session is scheduled for November 26, 2025, to provide guidance to potential applicants.
- Application Deadline: All submissions must be completed by January 19, 2026, at 17:00 CET.
- Evaluation Period: The selection and review process will take place between January and April 2026.
- Program Commencement: The official program activities are set to begin on May 25, 2026.
Administrative Framework and Scope
- Institutional Support: The program is backed by the EIT, a body of the European Union, across multiple innovation communities including Climate, Food, Health, Manufacturing, Raw Materials, Sustainable Energy, and Urban Mobility.
- Focus Areas: The initiative seeks solutions that rethink urban building, sustainable material production, and the shaping of resilient communities.
By bridging the gap between high-tech innovation and social responsibility, Catalyse NEB serves as a vital accelerator for startups looking to scale their purpose alongside their profits. This initiative provides the resources and network necessary for companies to thrive within Europe's most vibrant innovation community while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.