The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is an international corporate-startup acceleration program designed to foster strategic partnerships between entities in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Fully financed by the European Union as part of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the Global Gateway strategy, the initiative aims to guide corporate-startup collaborations toward launching market-ready digital solutions. The program addresses key sustainable development challenges by creating a bridge between ecosystems, facilitating innovation, and strengthening local capacities through structured support and expert guidance.
Program Objectives
• Create 100 strategic partnerships between startups and large companies by 2027.
• Foster digital innovation in key sectors such as health, energy, and biofuels.
• Strengthen local capacities and create new economic and social opportunities.
• Promote inclusive and sustainable solutions, with a particular focus on gender equality and the integration of Caribbean companies.
Eligibility Criteria
• Partnership Composition: Applicants must be a partnership of at least one corporate and one startup. It is acceptable to have more than two entities involved.
• Geographic Requirement: The partners must belong to at least two of the following three regions: the European Union, Latin America, or the Caribbean. Territories like French Guiana, Curaçao, and Martinique are considered part of the EU region.
• Challenge Focus: The partnership must address a digital transformation challenge.
• Corporate Definition: A corporate partner must have more than 50 employees, an annual turnover exceeding €10 million, a defined digital challenge, and resources for technological implementation. SMEs that meet these criteria are eligible. Caribbean corporates may be eligible even if they do not meet the minimum headcount and turnover criteria.
• Startup Stage: The program seeks startups that already have customers, are ready for internationalization, and have an identified corporate partner.
• Solution Type: Proposals must include proprietary solutions. Third-party applications can be integrated but should not be the main component.
• Product Development Level: Applicants should generally have a finished product, though in some cases a prototype adaptable to the corporate’s needs may be sufficient.
• Partnership Status: Both existing and new partnerships are encouraged to apply, with the key requirement being a formal collaboration agreement established prior to the acceleration program.
• Ineligible Entities: Public entities are not eligible to apply; only private sector organizations are.
Application and Selection Process
• Methodology: The program follows a two-step methodology: MATCH and BUILD.
• MATCH Phase: Corporates can publish specific challenges on a dedicated platform to identify relevant startups and initiate partnerships. Startups can register on the platform to find opportunities aligned with their offerings.
• BUILD Phase: Once a partnership is formed, it can apply to an Open Call to access acceleration services, develop a customized roadmap with experts, and launch collaborative innovation projects.
• Application Deadline: The current open call closes on June 12, 2026. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• How to Apply: Applicants must first read the Guide for Applicants to ensure compliance with all criteria and then apply through the official online form.
Acceleration Services and Support
• Program Cost: The acceleration program is 100% financed by the European Union, meaning there are no fees for participants.
• Service Value: Selected partnerships receive acceleration services valued at up to €30,000, or €40,000 if a Caribbean partner is involved.
• Financial Grants for Startups: A total of €10,500 in grants is available for eligible startups to support Proof of Concept (PoC) execution.
• Grant Breakdown: The grants include a €7,000 PoC development grant, a travel grant of up to €2,000, and an equipment transportation grant of up to €1,500.
• Core Service Areas: The program is structured around four main pillars: Roadmapping, Proof of Concept, Business Case, and Investment & Scaling.
• Specific Services Offered: Support includes open innovation bootcamps, PoC design and prototyping, AI-based PoC roadmap design, corporate venturing capabilities workshops, international growth and soft-landing support, product roadmap and digital skills development, business model design, IP management, guidance on scaling into corporate structures, investment readiness and matchmaking, 'Ask the Angel' investor sessions, full process digitalization, and access to public funding.
Program Logistics
• Duration: The acceleration program runs for 6 months.
• Language: The program is conducted in both English and Spanish.
• Industry Focus: While partnerships from all industries are welcome to apply, the current open call (#5) has a specific invitation for those in the mobility field. No preference is given based on industry.
• Assistance: For questions or assistance, applicants can contact the team at opencall@eulacdigitalaccelerator.com.
With over 45 transatlantic partnerships already participating and acceleration services rated 8.9/10, the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator provides a proven framework for success. By offering a customized roadmap, specialized services to mitigate common risks in corporate-startup collaborations, and direct financial support, the program equips partners with the necessary tools to validate, build, and scale innovative digital solutions across continents. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for companies looking to navigate the complexities of international markets and achieve their digital innovation goals.