EIT Digital Challenge 2017 Launches to Scale-up Europe's Best Digital Tech Companies

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The EIT Digital Challenge 2017 is now open for applications. Late stage startups - so called scaleups - can apply with their successful deep technology products in one of the following five categories: Digital Industry, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing, Digital Infrastructure and Digital Finance. The winner in each category will receive an international growth package worth €100,000. The package includes a full year of dedicated support from the EIT Digital Accelerator and a cash prize of €50,000.

The contest focuses on deep-tech businesses seeking to accelerate their international growth.

"Deep tech digital ventures require high quality specialised support when it comes to finding customers and raising capital," says Willem Jonker, CEO of EIT Digital. "Through our excellent pan-European business and technology ecosystem, and guided by our experience and our proven track record in deal making, we as EIT Digital are in a unique position to drive the international scaling of these deep tech digital ventures."

The EIT Digital Accelerator comprises a team of around 40 experienced business developers and finance experts operating from 13 cities across Europe, along with a hub in Silicon Valley. Since 2012, the EIT Digital Accelerator has supported more than 250 startups to access new markets, and helped them raise more than €80 million in investment to date. Accelerator alumni companies have gone on to raise over €250 million in total investment.

To successfully apply for the EIT Digital Challenge, companies must fulfill the following criteria: They must be based in one of the member states of the European Union, they must have reached at least €300,000 in revenue in 2016 or €2 million in total equity investment, and the companies should be in their first ten years of existence.

The best five applicants in each category will be invited to pitch their product in front on an expert jury at one of five final events:

Digital Cities - Trento - 28 November 2017

Digital Industry - Eindhoven - 29 November 2017

Digital Wellbeing - Madrid - 30 November 2017

Digital Finance - Budapest - 4 December 2017

Digital Infrastructure - Berlin - 11 December 2017

The deadline for applications is 8 October 2017. For more information and an application form, please visit www.challenge.eitdigital.eu

Since 2014, the EIT Digital Challenge has drawn more than 1,400 entries from 27 EU countries. Most awarded scaleups grew to become internationally successful companies.

About EIT Digital 

EIT Digital is a leading European digital innovation and entrepreneurial education organisation driving Europe's digital transformation.

EIT Digital delivers breakthrough digital innovations to the market and breeds entrepreneurial talent for economic growth and improved quality of life in Europe. It does this by mobilising a pan-European ecosystem of over 130 top European corporations, SMEs, start-ups, universities and research institutes.

As a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, EIT Digital is focused on entrepreneurship and is at the forefront of integrating education, research and business by bringing together students, researchers, engineers, business developers and entrepreneurs. This is done in our pan-European network of Co-Location Centres in Berlin, Eindhoven, Helsinki, London, Paris, Stockholm, Trento, as well as in Budapest and Madrid. We also have a hub in Silicon Valley.

EIT Digital invests in strategic areas to accelerate the market uptake of research-based digital technologies focusing on Europe's strategic, societal challenges: Digital Industry, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing and Digital Infrastructure.

EIT Digital breeds T-shaped entrepreneurial digital talent focused on innovation through a blended Education Strategy that includes a Master School, Doctoral School and Professional School.

The EIT Digital Accelerator supports European digital technology ventures by helping secure target customers and raise capital. Since 2012, they have supported more than 250 startups to access new markets and helped them raise more than €80 million in investment to date. 

Media Contact:
Luisa Sieveking
EIT Digital Challenge Communications
+49-163-5906218
luisa.sieveking@eitdigital.eu