Open Call for New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark)
Open Call for New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark) supports early-stage founders with funding and incubation to turn creative tech concepts in Materials & Built Environment into scalable ventures.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: November 16, 2026, at 17:00 CET (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to EUR 30,000 per venture concept; nine-month incubation programme; no co-funding required
Summary: Spark supports early-stage founders developing creative technology concepts in Materials & Built Environment, particularly Fashion and Architecture, through funding and venture incubation.
Key Information: Applicants must not have a registered company implementing the submitted concept and must incorporate a new legal entity by Month 3.
Description
Run by EIT Culture & Creativity with European Commission support through an EU-funded project, Spark helps early-stage founders and multidisciplinary teams turn validated business concepts into scalable, legally established ventures. The 2027 cohort focuses on tech-centric solutions in Materials & Built Environment, particularly Fashion and Architecture. Applicants should already be testing, building or validating their concept.
Selected participants enter an in-person Startup Sprint followed by a nine-month Spark Incubation Programme. The pathway combines financial support with coaching, mentorship, market validation, business model development and company formation support. Participants also gain access to the EIT Culture & Creativity ecosystem. Up to 35 venture concepts may be selected, subject to the call’s conditions and available budget.
