EIT Culture and Creativity: Spark – Incubation Programme

Deadline: 11 July 2025

The EIT Culture and Creativity has launched its call for applications for the Spark – Incubation Programme, designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage innovators in the architecture and cultural heritage sectors.

Aims

Foster innovation in architecture and cultural heritage by supporting individuals and teams with promising business ideas.
Validate business concepts by providing structured training in market research, business modelling, and financial planning.
Develop entrepreneurial skills and prepare participants for the challenges of launching a start-up.
Support the creation of viable businesses by guiding participants toward company registration.
Provide tailored mentorship and coaching from industry experts, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and professional partners.
Enhance networking opportunities by connecting participants with mentors, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.

Focus Areas

Architecture: Sustainable building practices, climate-resilient urban planning, digital transformation in construction.
Cultural Heritage: Immersive AR/VR experiences, digital transformation projects, innovative business models for cultural heritage valorisation.

Benefits

Selected participants receive training, mentorship, market validation support, and access to industry networks.
They also receive:
- An all-expenses-paid, in-person kick-off bootcamp in Europe
- Weekly online entrepreneurial training sessions.
- Personalised mentoring and strategic coaching.
- Participation in the Demo Day.
- Networking with mentors, experts, and potential partners.
- Free membership in the EIT Culture & Creativity Community during the programme.

Funding Information

Top-performing participants will receive prizes awarded at the Demo Day:
- 1st Prize (x2): €10,000
- 2nd Prize (x3): €7,500
- 3rd Prize (x3): €5,000
The Spark Programme (Incubation Programme) 2025 will run as a single cohort, with selected participants beginning their incubation journey in September 2025.
The programme will run for 8-10 weeks, followed by a Demo Day, which will be scheduled at a later stage.

Eligibility Criteria

This call for applications is open to individuals or teams of up to three people with a potential business idea in the fields of Architecture or Cultural Heritage. Applicants do not need to have an established company at the time of application. However, selected participants must register a legal entity in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country before the Demo Day in order to qualify for prize funding.
The programme is designed to support early-stage entrepreneurial ideas by helping participants validate their concept, build a business model, and develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Applicants can belong to one of the following categories:
- Individual applicants: Students, recent graduates, professionals, creatives, or researchers with an innovative idea.
- Teams of individuals: Up to three people collaborating on a shared idea, ideally combining complementary skills. One team member must act as the lead contact.
- Spin-offs or teams from existing organisations: Teams developing a new business idea within a university, research institution, or company, with the intention of launching a separate start-up.
Eligible applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Innovation Focus – The business idea should contribute to CCSI innovation, with a focus on areas such as:
  - Sustainable building practices
  - Innovative materials and construction processes
  - Climate-resilient architecture
  - Immersive experiences using AR and VR
  - Digital transformation in cultural heritage
- Stage of Development – Applicants may be at the ideation stage. The programme is designed to support early stage entrepreneurs in validating their concept and developing an MVP.
- Application Format – Applications may be submitted individually or as a team. Teams are encouraged to have members with complementary skills.
Documentation – Applicants must provide:
- A business plan outline including a preliminary market analysis, business model, and financial projections.
- Market research evidence demonstrating demand for the product or service.
- Team details (if applicable), including resumes, roles, and relevant experience of the founding members.