Accelerating innovative ideas with EIT Jumpstarter in Budapest

The EIT Jumpstarter Budapest bootcamp was the second event of the six Bootcamps organized in Central-Eastern- and Southern-Europe (EIT’s RIS region) by EIT Health, EIT Food and EIT RawMaterials jointly. Bright minds from nine countries and three thematic fields – healthcare, food and raw materials – gathered in Hungary. They shared the same vision of setting-up their own business and bringing a change towards an innovative Europe.

Bootcamps are the first round of trainings organized under the EIT Jumpstarter programme (formerly known as the Cross-KIC Business Idea Competition). This year, 90 teams were selected for the EIT Jumpstarter, with 30 each from the Health, Food and Raw Materials sectors. They participate in the eight-month-long programme, which kicks-off with a two-day bootcamp, where teams learn how to present their innovative idea and the importance of staying focused and supporting their assumptions with data. After the bootcamps, the best 50% will be invited to further work on their business model at local trainings in a cross-industrial setting in nine locations during September. The eight-month-long learning and mentoring work will culminate with the Grand Final in November, when the best-of-the-best from each thematic sector will pitch in front of an international expert jury and compete for the €10 000 first prize. EIT Jumpstarter is a very selective, competitive program, which opens doors towards European markets and connects participants with the extensive networks of EIT Health, EIT Food and EIT RawMaterials. With the contribution of best-in-class experts, creative community and unique know-how, our aim is to support idea-holders to turn their ideas into business.

“EIT Jumpstarter, is a unique cross-industrial scheme that […] was designed to create a sustainable impact in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe by boosting innovation and entrepreneurship to revolutionise the EU market” – emphasized the jury of the European Association Awards, when selecting EIT Jumpstarter as winner of the Best Association Training Initiative in 2019.

“The workshop helped us a lot to create a solid structure for our presentations in the future, but the feedback I got from everybody, from the trainer, mentors and the other participants are way more valuable” – said a participant of the Bootcamp.