Startup grants and accelerators in Europe

NLnet Foundation offers grants of €5,000 to €50,000 for a first grant to support technical development of open-source software, hardware, or content under open licenses and standards. Applicants can apply to several theme funds (e.g., Restack, CodeSupply, or an open call) with a short proposal describing the project, budget breakdown, and team background.

EIC Accelerator provides funding and support to startups and SMEs developing high-risk, game-changing innovations (TRL 6-8) with potential to create or disrupt markets. It offers a blended finance package combining grants and equity investments, plus business acceleration services like coaching, mentoring, and access to networks and global partners.

Innovate UK will fund UK SMEs to experimentally validate prototype AI systems built on novel reusable mechanisms for efficient, structured and controllable learning systems. The competition is aimed mainly at research-intensive AI startups, deep tech SMEs, university spinouts and pre-commercial companies with proprietary AI technology. Funding is a grant covering a share of eligible project costs of between £50,000 and £150,000.

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator connects large corporations with startups and innovative SMEs across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. It supports corporate-startup partnerships up to an investment-ready stage. Startups receive free, tailored acceleration services, including proof-of-concept, business case definition and access to investment opportunities.

Karmen is a fintech offering short-term business loans of 1 to 24 months and factoring of B2B customer invoices. Companies apply online and can receive a financing offer within 48 hours. The page describes the service as aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.

Wayflyer is a financing partner for fast-growing businesses in e-commerce, retail, software and services. It offers funding from €5.000 to €20 Mio. € that is repaid as fixed instalments or as a percentage of revenue, with no equity given up and no personal guarantees. The page says there are no restrictions on how the funds can be used.

Europe's leading B2B accelerator (Estonia-based), running programs across the Baltics, Southern Europe, Turkiye, Ukraine and parts of Africa - around EUR 50,000 upfront for a negotiated 3-6% equity stake.

Entrepreneur First is a talent investor that helps individuals find cofounders and build startups from scratch, supporting them from early idea through first revenue and fundraising. It provides equity-free grants, direct investment, office space in London, Bangalore and San Francisco, and connections to top Silicon Valley investors and advisors.

Innovate UK's Innovation Funding Service lists multiple ongoing and upcoming competitions offering grants to UK-registered businesses and other organisations for R&D and innovation projects across sectors such as AI, batteries, energy, health, and more. Each competition has its own eligibility criteria, funding amount, and deadline, with awards ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of pounds.

The worlds largest startup campus in Paris. The Fighters Program offers free desk space and support to founders who did not start from a privileged background, alongside 30+ specialized in-house programs.

Levenue is a European revenue-based financing platform that provides non-dilutive funding to businesses with recurring revenue. Businesses can access upfront capital by leveraging a portion of their future revenue, receiving up to 35% of future ARR upfront. The funding is repaid through fixed monthly instalments over 12 months.

Smart&Start Italia is an Invitalia incentive supporting the launch and growth of high-tech innovative startups across all Italian regions. It provides a zero-interest loan covering a large share of eligible expenses, with additional non-repayable grants available for startups based in Central-Southern Italy.

Innosuisse funds science-based innovation projects of Swiss start-ups preparing for first market entry, covering up to 70% of direct project costs with the start-up contributing at least 30% itself. Only the start-up (not a research partner) is supported, and applications are evaluated by independent experts and the Innovation Council before a funding decision.

Working capital for high-growth consumer brands and retailers, used to fund inventory, marketing spend and purchase orders. The capital is repaid out of revenue rather than exchanged for equity, and applying does not affect the founder's credit score.

Vinnova provides government funding to organisations for research and innovation projects in Sweden through various 'calls for proposals', covering areas such as climate-smart solutions and robotics for elderly care. It also offers support specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), though it typically does not fund all project costs and requires applicants to secure additional funding sources.

Cambridge Angels is a UK business angel network providing smart capital from entrepreneurs to entrepreneurs, and has been investing since 2001. It supports more than 150 companies through an invitation-only membership, largely made up of exited entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can get free, no-obligation one-on-one feedback from an experienced investor through its office hours.

Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors. It has 53 chapters on 4 continents, and its members invest in high-quality, diverse investment opportunities. Startups can apply through the site to present to its investors.

Angel Academe's EIS Fund is described as the UK's first EIS fund for female founders, investing alongside its angel network. Female founders can apply to pitch to the network. The page does not state investment amounts or deadlines.

The SFC Angel Fund raises money for early-stage businesses by investing in SEIS and EIS eligible ventures. The page says SFC invests in 15-20 companies per fund and works with universities, spin-outs, accelerators, incubators and angel investors. It also has a 'Start Raising' section for startups seeking capital.

Poland's state agency for enterprise development runs the national and EU-funded support schemes for small and medium companies - grants for innovation, internationalisation, digital adoption and staff training. Individual calls open and close through the year, each with its own budget and rules.

Europe leading pre-seed fund investing year-round with no batch deadlines. Backs exceptional founders across the continent from first call through partner pitch.

12-week impact-focused accelerator investing in tech startups tackling climate and sustainability challenges, with dedicated tracks including an Africa agritech cohort.

Barcelona-based seed-stage accelerator running two five-month cohorts a year (plus Madrid and Galicia editions), providing over EUR 400,000 in services, mentorship, and investor access in exchange for 4-7% equity.

Gilion offers Growth Funding, which the page describes as the best non-dilutive funding for SaaS businesses, and a Seasonal Credit product for scaleups. The page says that in Germany Gilion operates as a loan broker and that the loans are granted by a third-party bank.

EIC Pathfinder is a Horizon Europe funding programme that supports research teams taking forward breakthrough deep tech projects at the earliest stages (TRL 1-4). It offers grants of up to EUR 4 million, booster grants, coaching, mentoring and networking. It is open to research teams, including consortia or, for Pathfinder Challenges only, single applicants.

Non-dilutive grant for knowledge- or technology-based startups spinning out of a German university or research institution - up to EUR 30,000 in material costs, EUR 5,000 coaching budget, plus a monthly founder stipend (EUR 1,000-3,000) for up to 12 months. Applied for through the university, not directly.

SPRIND is Germany's Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, which runs open 'Challenges' inviting teams with radical ideas to apply for funding on specific breakthrough technology themes. Current open challenges include AI-Native Chip Design, Next Frontier Robotics, and Recoding Medicine, each with its own application deadline. The agency finances groundbreaking technologies intended to generate economic benefit for Germany and Europe.

Founders Factory is a venture studio and startup accelerator that co-founds and funds companies at idea, pre-seed and seed stage, offering capital plus operational support from a 60+ person team and access to corporate partners across Fintech, Health, Industrials and Deep Tech sectors. It runs multiple sector-specific accelerator programs globally (e.g. Fintech, Mining Tech, Climate, Health) in partnership with corporates like Aviva, Rio Tinto, WA Government, MSWA and HSBC.

The EdTech Accelerator call, part of the Digital Europe Programme, helps European EdTech startups and SMEs turn concepts for educational solutions into market-ready products. It offers business guidance and access to markets within an EdTech-specific accelerator environment. The call also includes short-cycle piloting of solutions in real educational or training settings.

Business Finland's Young Innovative Companies (YIC) funding supports startups under 5 years old with high growth potential, helping them scale internationally, strengthen their team, and develop their business model. Funding is granted in up to three phases (EUR 250,000, EUR 250,000, and EUR 500,000 in grants) to companies with demonstrated scalable business models and international revenue.

Free, equity-free seven-month pre-acceleration programme for early-stage innovators across 22+ European countries, offering training, mentorship, and up to EUR 10,000 in prizes with no equity taken.