Call for Applications: DE-TECH Entrepreneurship Training and Mentoring Programme 2026

The application period is now open to students, academic staff, and non- academic staff from universities that wish to participate in the Entrepreneurship Training and Mentoring Programme as part of the De-TECH Project, funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative.

European universities are joining forces to boost entrepreneurial skills and foster innovation in deep tech through the De-TECH Entrepreneurship Training and Mentoring Programme 2026, now open for applications. Funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative, the programme will provide students, researchers, and university staff with the tools, mentorship, and networks to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.

The call is open to bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students, as well as academic staff (faculty and researchers) and non-academic staff (administrative and professional services) from higher education institutions across Europe. Over a 10-week online training period (April–June 2026), participants will develop essential entrepreneurial and innovation skills while connecting with mentors and peers in the European innovation ecosystem.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

Provide participants with core entrepreneurship knowledge (idea valorization, market validation, business modeling, financial planning, governance, and IPR strategy).

Support the commercialization of deep tech research and innovations through structured mentoring.

Build an inclusive innovation community, fostering collaboration between students, researchers, and industry mentors across Europe.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Participants will complete 60 hours of training combining in-class sessions, Innotech Pills videos, self-study, and pitching preparation.

Sessions will run on Friday’s at 14:00 CET,

2–3 hours per week.

23 of in-class hours

3 hours of Innotech Pills Videos

20 hours of self-study and pitching presentation preparation

Weekly modules will cover

Idea & Technology Valorization — 24 April 2026 (Friday)
Customer Journey & Need Analysis — 8 May 2026 (Friday)
Product-Market Fit & QFD Analysis — 15 May 2026 (Friday)
Market Validation & Testing — 22 May 2026 (Friday)
Financial Modeling & Funding — 5 June 2026 (Friday)
Company Scaling & Governance — 12 June 2026 (Friday)
Intellectual Property Rights & Strategy — 19 June 2026 (Friday)
Pitching and Entrepreneurial Communication Training — 26 June 2026 (Friday)

For Certification and Successful Completion of the Training:

Business Model and Plan Pitching Presentation Submission — 3 July 2026 (Friday)

Alongside training, participants will engage in mentoring sessions led by distinguished deep-tech mentors. Mentors will be drawn from the De-TECH Mentorship Network, including industry leaders, venture partners, and alumni entrepreneurs. These sessions will provide participants to further develop and refine their entrepreneurial projects.

Mentoring to the teams/individuals whose ideas were selected for the mentoring round

First round: July- August 2026

Second Round: September – October 2026

At the end of the programme, the most promising projects will receive further support through three stages of mentoring: Tech-to-Market Validation, Business Validation, and Growth & Communication.

WHAT WILL YOU GAIN?