Apply now and join the 2026 edition!

APPLY NOWTERMS & CONDITIONS

CINNOVATE PROGRAM 2026

Cinnovate is a project supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Higher Education Initiative, bringing together European Higher Education Institutions, private companies, and key ecosystem stakeholders. Its mission is to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities in the circular economy and support the transition toward more sustainable cities.

As part of this initiative, South Summit leads a startup acceleration program designed to develop and scale high impact, circular economy based solution. In 2026, the program expands to support 10 startups. This is your opportunity to be part of the next generation of circular economy leaders!
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CINNOVATE PROGRAM 2026 WHY JOIN THE
PROGRAM?

Throughout 2026, the selected startups will:
Participate at South Summit Madrid 2026 

(3–5 June) 

  • Travel cost coverage (up to €500 for Spanish startups /  €1,000 for international startups)
  • A dedicated Startup Booth at South Summit Madrid 2026
  • Onstage pitch opportunities in front of investors, corporations, and global ecosystem leaders
  • Access to curated meetings, networking sessions, and highvalue connections 
Deep-dive with Masterclasses and Mentoring

(October – December 2026) 

  • Expert led masterclasses on circular economy innovation, business strategy, technology development, and impact
  • 1:1 mentoring sessions with industry specialists and ecosystem leaders
  • Support to achieve key performance milestones, including commercial growth and IPR related goals
  • Access to potential testing environments (TBC), enabling startups to validate and pilot their solutions in real-world settings 

CINNOVATE PROGRAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To participate, startups must meet the following requirements: 

1.

Be legally incorporated



2.

Be based in Europe



3.

Demonstrate potential for IPR creation and commercialization



4.

Develop solutions on circular economy and sustainable urban innovation



OPEN CALL FOR STARTUPS

Become one of the 10 startups selected to accelerate innovation and scale impactful circular solutions across Europe.

Apply now and join the 2026 edition! Applications end on April 19th.
APPLY NOWTERMS & CONDITIONS

2025 EDITION

The first phase of the program took place in 2025, with five selected startups participating in the initial acceleration round. This pilot edition validated the program structure and laid the groundwork for the expanded 2026 program.