Europe’s signature scaleup competition, EIT Digital Champions 2025, is set to identify the continent’s most promising deep tech companies. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch to leading venture capital investors and raise Series A or B funding rounds, with support from an experienced growth services team.
In 2024, EIT Digital selected 50 standout finalists from across Europe, giving them the chance to pitch their innovative solutions to leading investors. But it didn’t stop there! The Champions were given more than just exposure. Champions, like W-Sense and JENTIS, received access to a comprehensive 12-month Growth Services Program and raised millions for their deep tech solutions.
“We are grateful for the high-quality support provided by the Growth Services team and their Access to Finance program. They have helped us prepare for fundraising and introduced us to a wide selection of relevant investors from all over Europe.”
– Chiara Petrioli, CEO & Co-founder of WSense (previous EIT Digital Champions winner)
A Look into This Year’s Competition Sponsors
This year, the program is proudly sponsored by two industry leaders — STMicroelectronics, a pioneer in automotive technology, and GEA Digital, a leader in digital transformation.
STMicroelectronics: The Pioneer in Automotive Electronics
STMicroelectronics has over 30 years of experience in automotive electronics, making it a trusted partner in shaping the future of transportation. Their Smart Driving technologies enhance safety, sustainability, and connectivity across automotive applications, from Powertrain to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), driving progress in vehicle electrification and connectivity.
GEA Digital: The Leader of Digital Transformation
GEA Digital leads the charge in digital transformation by harnessing AI, IoT, and immersive technologies like VR, XR, and AR. With an agile ecosystem of partners, GEA stays at the forefront of a fast-evolving tech landscape, continuously adapting to innovations and maintaining a competitive edge in digital solutions.
How Does it Benefit Your Company?
The EIT Digital Champions program provides a unique opportunity for scaleups to accelerate their growth by connecting them with international investors and offering tailored support. By winning this competition, your scaleup will:
- Gain access to fundraising and mentorship through the 12-month Growth Services Program worth €50,000.
- Pitch to a jury of top-tier investors during an online competition, opening doors to global investment opportunities.
- Attend high-profile tech conferences and an exclusive VIP investor dinner, further expanding your network and visibility in the European tech scene.
If your company is ready for international expansion and needs the right funding to grow, this program offers the platform to make that happen. Additionally, our corporate sponsors STMicroelectronics and GEA Digital have generously agreed to support our Champions with the opportunity to enter fruitful collaborations that will unite the tremendous resources of these corporate partners and the unrivalled innovation of our Champions. Applicants will have the option to indicate their interest in these collaborations.
Who Can Apply?
The program targets European deep-tech scaleups that meet the following criteria:
- Companies incorporated after January 1, 2015
- A scalable product leveraging highly innovative digital technologies
- Revenue of at least €500,000 in 2024 or at least €2 million in raised equity funding
- Currently seeking to raise between €5 million and €30 million in funding
Eligible applicants must operate in growth-stage industries such as Digital Tech, Digital Industry, Digital Wellbeing, and Digital Finance. If your company fits this profile and you’re looking to expand internationally, EIT Digital is looking for you.
How Does it Work?
Applying for the EIT Digital Champions program is simple and can be completed online. Here’s how the process works:
- Submit your application by December 2, 2024.
- Prepare your pitch with the support of the EIT Digital team, who will offer guidance and mentorship to help you perfect your presentation.
- Pitch your company to a panel of venture capital investors at the online competition in January 2025.
- Compete to become an EIT Digital Champion, which includes gaining free access to the growth services program and attending key tech conferences and networking events.
The program is designed to be accessible, with each step structured to maximize the growth potential of participating companies.
Important Dates
Key dates for the 2024-2025 edition of the EIT Digital Champions program are:
- Applications Open: September 25, 2024
- Submission Deadline: December 2, 2024
- Online Pitch Competition: January 14-15, 2025
- Proclamation of Champions: February 28, 2025
- VIP Investor Dinner: Q2 2025
This timeline gives participants ample time to prepare their pitches, engage with mentors, and maximize the benefits of the program.
Champion Success Story: WSense
Take the example of WSense, one of the recent EIT Digital Champions. WSense, offering Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) technology, entered the EIT Digital Champions competition and made an unforgettable impression on the jury. Their groundbreaking innovation led them to be named one of the 2024 Champions.
Over the next twelve months, WSense partnered with EIT Digital’s growth services team to refine their pitch, connect with the right investors, and secure investor calls across Europe. This hands-on support helped WSense sharpen its message and build a strong investment case.
Just one year after participating, WSense raised €9 million from investors based in three different EU countries! This success story showcases how EIT Digital supports European scaleups in their journey to scale internationally and secure substantial funding.
Back To You
Are you ready to follow in WSense’s footsteps? The EIT Digital Champions 2025 competition is your chance to secure funding, gain access to top investors, and benefit from €50,000 in growth services. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with EIT Digital and take your scale-up global. Applications are open until December 2, 2024.
Apply today and join the ranks of the next EIT Digital Champions!
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