LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme 2026
Cascade funding call selecting one incubator to deliver a 12-week Venture Incubation Programme supporting up to 30 Generative AI and Large Language Model startups across Europe.
Type of projects to be funded: Selection and funding of one incubator or innovation partner to design and implement a structured 12-week Venture Incubation Programme (VIP) supporting early-stage startups developing solutions based on Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Activities include mentoring, business development support, access to technical and HPC resources (in collaboration with the LLM-BRIDGE consortium), regulatory and ethical guidance, organisation of a Demo Day, KPI monitoring, and reporting.
Sectors / domain: Generative AI, Large Language Models, Natural Language Processing and deep-tech digital innovation within the European AI ecosystem.
Individual or consortium: Single legal entity (incubator or innovation partner such as accelerator, venture builder, university entrepreneurship centre, VC, science and tech park, etc.). Consortia are not specified in the call guidelines.
Specific eligibility requirements: Applicants must be legally established in an EU Member State or a Digital Europe Programme Associated Country and have at least three years of experience in startup incubation or acceleration, preferably in AI, NLP or deep-tech sectors. Applicants must demonstrate operational and financial capacity to deliver a 12-week incubation cycle, ensure compliance with EU data-protection and ethical requirements, and submit only one proposal per call.
Specific topics or challenges: Delivery of a 12-week incubation programme supporting up to 30 early-stage GenAI and LLM startups, fostering commercialisation, responsible AI practices aligned with the AI Act and GDPR, cross-border ecosystem engagement, and achievement of predefined KPIs related to MVP validation, mentoring quality, market readiness, and visibility.
Projects duration: 12-week incubation cycle, scheduled to start in June 2026 following contract signature. Lasting until the participation in the LLM-BRIDGE Demo Day (December 2026).
Budget, funding rates and payment conditions:
Funding rate: Fixed lump sum contribution of up to EUR 60,000 per selected incubator.
Budget conditions / limitations: Maximum EUR 60,000; covers mentoring, training, management, infrastructure, events, reporting and related implementation costs. No additional indirect cost reimbursement. Co-funding is not mandatory but permitted if there is no double funding.
Payments: 40% upon signature of the Financial Support Agreement and approval of the implementation plan; 60% after submission and approval of the final report and validation of KPI achievement (month 12 after signature).
Links
Closes
23/03/2026
Max funding per project
60.000€