Startup Europe
Accelerathon
Open innovation program driving transformative solutions for the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Open Innovation Methodology
Cultivando ideas sostenibles con respaldo de fondos de la Unión Europea
What is Accelerathon?
Una herramienta de aceleración innovadora para proyectos público-privados y startups en Europa.
How does it work?
It is an open innovation methodology gathering corporations, public bodies, universities, and entrepreneurs to solve specific challenges through a phased competition.
Who grants the award?
The prize is granted by Finnova Foundation under the European Commission Startup Europe initiative (DG CONNECT), supported by public and private partner entities.
What is the Acceleration Ticket?
A high-impact support package valued up to €10,000 including EU funding advisory (LIFE, Horizon Europe, Interreg), grant proposal preparation (€1M to €7M), mentoring, and global exposure.
JOIN THE CHALLENGE!
Do you have an innovative idea or solution? Participate and scale your project with EU funding.
Our 4 Pillars
A complete ecosystem built to maximize your project impact
Target Group
Startups, SMEs, researchers, students, universities and public bodies with tangible solutions.
Training
Exclusive webinars, masterclasses on EU funding instruments, and agile innovation tools.
Mentoring
Top-tier European mentors covering tech, sustainability, legal affairs, and business modeling.
Financing
Direct access to European grant calls ranging from €1,000,000 to €7,000,000.
Discover Accelerathon
Watch how the competition works and see the results achieved in past editions
Committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
Accelerathon aligns each challenge with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal.
Each edition targets critical global challenges: climate action, affordable clean energy, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption.
Involved Programs
Institutional ecosystem backed by the European Union
Startup Europe
European Commission (DG CONNECT) initiative to connect local startups, investors, accelerators and universities across Europe.
Startup Europe Awards
European Commission awards implemented by Finnova Foundation to recognize the most innovative startups across the continent.
Startup Europe Accelerator
Finnova Foundation accelerator specialized in European funding attraction (LIFE, Horizon Europe, Interreg) for innovation projects.
Challenges & Editions
Explore active calls and completed challenge editions
Valencia Tourism Accelerathon
Open innovation program focused on sustainable tourism solutions for the Valencia region. Startups compete to access European funding between €1M and €7M.
Creative & Cultural Industries SEA
Startup Europe Accelerathon targeting innovative solutions in the creative and cultural industries sector.
Healthcare Waste Accelerathon
Innovative solutions for managing healthcare and medical waste in Atlantic coastal areas.
Accelerathon Spain – Portugal EUROAAA
Cross-border open innovation challenge between Spain and Portugal under the Interreg POCTEP framework.
Green Cities Accelerathon
Smart city solutions tackling climate resilience, sustainable urban mobility, and emissions reduction.
Smart Waste Accelerathon
Advanced recycling, IoT tracking, and valorization of municipal and industrial waste streams.
Agritech Startup Europe Accelerathon
Innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture, soil protection, and digital farming tools.
Aquaculture Startup Europe Accelerathon
Sustainable aquaculture techniques and marine ecosystem protection solutions.
Latest News
Press releases, announcements and updates from the challenges
ePlace Heritage gana la final del Valencia Tourism Accelerathon, el encuentro que impulsa la innovación turística con apoyo de los fondos europeos
Valencia reúne a expertos, emprendedores e instituciones para debatir sobre turismo inteligente, sostenibilidad y digitalización València, 22 de junio de 2026.– El equipo ePlace Heritage, integrado por Adolfo Ibañez, David Cervera y Sebastián Jans, se ha proclamado ganador de ...
El proyecto ALGALI-TIC ganador del Agritech Startup Europe Awards de la Fundación Finnova
La iniciativa, enfocada en el cultivo de algas como herramienta de gestión de recursos para evitar la eutrofización en ríos, recibirá un ticket de aceleración para conseguir financiación europea El proyecto ha sido realizado por las startups Mediterranean Algae y G2G Algae Sol...
Los Agritech Startup Europe Accelerathon de la Fundación Finnova se acercan a la semifinal
Un total de 45 profesionales del sector, procedentes de distintos países de Europa y Latino América participan en esta convocatoria enfocada a la innovación y mejora de los procesos utilizados en la agricultura. Los ganadores podrán optar a la financiación europea a través de ...