EIT Culture & Creativity: Spark - Incubation Programme 2025

EIT Culture & Creativity launches its 2025 call for applications for the Spark – Incubation Programme, designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage innovators in the architecture and cultural heritage sectors.

The programme offers individuals and teams the opportunity to develop their business ideas, validate their market potential, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and compete for financial prizes at the Demo Day.

Watch recording of Q&A here (recorded 20 May).

Dates for the programme

• Call opening: 6 May 2025
• Application deadline: 11 July 2025, at 17:00 CET
• Communication of results to applicants: Mid-August 2025
• Programme start: Mid-September 2025
• Programme duration: 8–10 weeks
• Demo Day: at the end of the programme (December 2025), in an EU country to be decided

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

Who can apply?

Individuals (students, recent graduates, researchers, professionals) or teams (up to 3 people) based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country (this includes the UK). No company registration is required at application stage, but a legal entity must be established before the Demo Day to be eligible for financial prizes. 

Ideas must target Architecture or Cultural Heritage, with a strong innovation potential. 

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.
• The opportunity to compete for financial prizes of up to €10,000.
• Free membership in the EIT Culture & Creativity Community during the programme.