VDS Startup Competition is open to startups from around the world and from all sectors, with at least an MVP, that are developing solutions to generate a positive impact on society, acting as catalysts for positive and sustainable change globally.

Finalists will be selected by a panel of industry experts and investors following criteria such as innovation, scalability, impact.

By applying to the VDS Startup Competition, your startup will be eligible to pitch on stage during the celebration of the event in front of the 12,000 expected attendees and a top-level jury of  high-profile investors and leading corporations. A jury of experts will choose the winners who will have their own exhibition space at VDS2025.

Registration: here

Andorra Business and Andorra Research + Innovation (Andorra), in partnership with Global Sport Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft  (GSIC) and with the support of SPSG Consulting (SPSG) are launching the second edition of the Andorra Sports Scale-Up Program, to select a second cohort of the best sport-tech companies in Andorra and across the world, and help them in their internationalization process.

The call aims to identify the most promising technological solutions that can help improve the sports industry in general, with priority over those focused on winter and mountain sports, and have the potential for scalability and internationalization.

The program will focus on the sports ecosystem in Andorra, which is naturally connected with Mountain and Winter Sports, but not limited. The Scale-Up Program will help these companies to scale their internationalization efforts.

The finalist three selected startups will have the opportunity to access the three-month scale-up program and all the contents, mentoring sessions, and activities that it includes.

The startups will enter 3-month scaleup program and benefit from the content and activities developed around:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Internationalizing in the sports industry
• Andorra Ecosystem
• Marketing & Sales
• Business model, strategy, finances, and a lot more!

Apply to the program: here

GAEA stands at the forefront of Europe’s quest for sustainable development and energy autonomy.

Aligned with the European Green Deal, GAEA actively contributes to Europe’s response to global environmental challenges and the geopolitical landscape. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the green energy sector, GAEA not only addresses immediate regional needs but also plays a crucial role in shaping a resilient and autonomous European future.

GAEA is designed for innovators who want to transform their ideas into sustainable innovations and for researchers who want to engage in cutting-edge projects by bringing scientific discoveries to market.

This is a pivotal moment to engage with the GAEA Project – your gateway to the heart of Europe’s dynamic open innovation program towards energy autonomy.

Embrace this opportunity with GAEA and join the path towards a greener, more resilient, and sustainable future. Let’s innovate, transform, and lead the change in shaping the energy-autonomous Europe of the future.

Apply to the program: here

NGI TALER is a project funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State to roll out a new electronic payment system - GNU Taler, that benefits everyone: people, merchants, banks, financial authorities, auditors and anti-corruption researchers.

GNU Taler provides privacy guarantees to the buyer while offering the possibility to audit merchants, making sale incomes transparent and fraud difficult. To online merchants and retailers, GNU Taler offers instant transaction clearance without risks of fake payment methods. Computations needed to clear the payments are efficient and scalable so that banks can pass on lower transaction costs to consumers and merchants. Consumers can withdraw money from their existing bank account into their GNU Taler wallet, detaching their spending habits from scrutiny, in the way cash does.

We are seeking project proposals between 5.000 and 50.000 euro's — if the project works out well you can subsequently scale up in other programs funded by NLnet such as NGI0 Core.

Apply to the program: here

NGI Zero Core is designed to push beyond the status quo and create a virtuous cycle of innovation through free and open source software, libre hardware and open standards. If we want everyone to use and benefit from the internet to its full potential without holding back, the internet must be built on strong and transparent technologies that allow for permissionless innovation and are equally accessible to all.

NGI Core is looking for troubleshooters that help society tackle the ossification of the internet and other hard but very very important challenges, each of which has significant social and economic consequences. 

NGI Zero actively works towards digital commons and trustworthy technological building blocks for the next generation of the internet. The goal is to help set the course of the evolution of technology, provide people with concrete new tools and more reliable infrastructure, which provides better overall security and allow them more agency and choice.

We are seeking project proposals between 5.000 and 50.000 euro's — with the possibility to scale them up if there is proven potential.

Apply to the program: here

NGI Mobifree is a pilot programme designed to push beyond the status quo of mobile software, and create a virtuous cycle of innovation through free and open source software, libre hardware and open standards. It has brought together a number of the “movers and shakers” of the open mobile ecosystem, in order to deliver a comprehensive development effort and advance a number of important free and open source technologies. 

Our goal is to help mobile technology evolve to a more healthy state, provide people with concrete new tools and more reliable infrastructure, in order to provide better security and allow users more agency and choice.

This is your opportunity to make a real difference. We are seeking project proposals between 5.000 and 50.000 euro's — which should get you on your way.

Applying guide: here

NGI Commons aims to elaborate on a long-term strategy for digital/internet commons, which are critical for Europe’s sovereignty and trust creating a more coherent European funding landscape across both public and private sectors. 

The goal of the NGI Zero Commons Fund is to help deliver, mature and scale new internet commons across the whole technology spectrum, from libre silicon to middleware, from P2P infrastructure to convenient end user applications.

We are seeking project proposals between 5000 and 50000 euro's — with the possibility to scale them up significantly if there is proven potential. And we provide all kinds of help too. We are looking for troubleshooters that help society tackle the hard but very important challenges ahead.

Apply to the program: here

NGI (Next Generation Internet) Sargasso is a unique collaborative ecosystem & program for promoting the transatlantic cooperation for NGI technologies.

NGI Sargasso focuses on catalysing European collaboration with the US and Canada on topics such as trust and data sovereignty, digital identity, internet architecture renovation, decentralized technologies, and standards, which are of utmost importance to shape the future Internet.

Why should you seize this opportunity?

• Receive up to €100000 funding per project;
• Transatlantic collaboration with USA or Canada;
• Holistic support system - the OnCampus program offers business guidance, individualized assistance and other beneficial things;
• The total budget available for this third call is €950000.

Apply to participate: here

Startup Terrace 2024 Soft-Landing Program is now open and calling for startups interested in expanding to Taiwan and Asia markets!

Startup Terrace is the largest startup hub in Taiwan. Dedicated to integrating and establishing global startup ecosystems, Startup Terrace schedules and plans all kinds of programs for linkage between startups and stakeholders.

Building on the remarkable success of the 2023 Soft-Landing Program, in 2024, Startup Terrace organizes two batches of Soft-Landing Program. Startup Terrace eagerly extends a warm invitation to outstanding international startups seeking seamless entry into the Taiwanese market. This program offers a unique opportunity to Taiwan, providing invaluable insights into the local business landscape, abundant resources, and crucial connections. With a training agenda full of opportunities and complimentary support for selected startups, it is your BEST gateway to explore Taiwan and beyond. 

Batch ONE
Focus area: Greentech
Landing dates: May 20th – June 7th, 2024
Please fill out the application form by March 4th, 2024

Batch TWO
Focus area: Healthcare
Landing dates: November 4th – November 22nd, 2024
Please fill out the application form by July 10th, 2024

The selected startups will be offered with:

• Travel reimbursement for round-trip flight ticket
• Free accommodation
• 7/24 free co-working space access
• Logistics support

WHO CAN APPLY:

• Greentech and healthcare startups established within 8 years and legally registered in countries other than Taiwan.
• Focus Area: Greentech (#batch1) & Healthcare (#batch2)

Apply and learn more about the program here 

Make your startup famous- win a free Out-of-home advertising campaign & free tickets to the global renowned VivaTech conference.
1 winning startup from Lithuania will win an outdoor advertising campaign for a value of 10 000 € and 2 passes for VivaTech including an award ceremony on JCDecaux booth!

JCDecaux launched the Nurture programme in 2016 to help startups build fame and accelerate growth through the power of OOH and Digital OOH advertising.
Every year, for four adrenaline-filled days, VivaTech brings together in Paris the greatest business leaders, startups, investors, researchers and innovators to ignite positive change in business and for society.

The 8th edition will take place on May 22-25, 2024, in Paris, at Expo Porte de Versailles.

Date: 22nd-25th May
Apply to participate here