Startup Europe
Horizon Europe · HORIZON-EIE-2027-01-CONNECT-01
Funding to connect European startup ecosystems and accelerate digital and deep tech startups and scaleups across borders.
This call is announced but not open yet. Dates and conditions can still change.
What is this call about?
The topic funds Coordination and Support Actions that connect European startup ecosystems and run cross-border acceleration for digital and deep tech startups and scaleups with proven traction.
What does this call fund?
Scope
The action connects local digital, deep tech and manufacturing startup and scaleup ecosystems and supports cross-border acceleration for startups and scaleups that show traction, meaning product-market fit or at least a seed round raised. Particular attention goes to ecosystems in moderate or emerging innovator countries and regions.
Target companies
Acceleration is open to all European startups and scaleups with traction, but targets companies identified in Horizon Europe (for example through the EIC, EIT and Regional Innovation Valleys) and the Digital Europe Programme (for example European Digital Innovation Hubs), using Innovation Radar data. Companies from national programmes, especially certified Plug-in programmes, should also be considered. Projects should prioritise companies with product-market fit or at least one financing round, companies from moderate or emerging innovator countries or regions, and women-led companies.
Support offered
- Support on product-market fit, financial alignment, business model, revenue generation, team and leadership, and adaptation to regulatory and market changes, to make companies investment-ready.
- Help in accessing public and corporate innovation procurement.
- Services may be delivered directly by consortium partners or through financial support to third parties managed by the coordinator.
Monitoring
Consortia should monitor supported companies for three years after the project with indicators such as revenue growth, follow-on funding, profitability, market share and survival rate.
Expected outcomes
A larger market footprint for European startups in digital and deep tech fields such as AI, advanced computing, cybersecurity, blockchain, energy, greentech, agritech and fintech, and better links to ecosystems, markets and investors.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €18,000,000
- Funding per project
- €2,000,000
- Call code
- HORIZON-EIE-2027-01-CONNECT-01
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
- Funder
- European Union, Horizon Europe
- Expected number of projects
- 9
Who can apply for this call?
- Supported companies should be startups and scaleups showing traction: product-market fit or at least a seed round raised.
- Priority goes to companies from moderate or emerging innovator countries or regions and to women-led startups and scaleups.
- Support may be delivered through financial support to third parties, managed and monitored by the coordinator.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
15 September 2027 (314 days)
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 6 October 2026.