BIKE-HEI Innovation and Entrepreneurship awards 2026 (Third edition) – Applications are open !

The BIKE-HEI Consortium is proud to present the the 3rd edition of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award, supported by EIT Raw Materials.

BIKE-HEI – Boosting Innovation and Knowledge in European Higher Education Institutions is an initiative co-funded by the EIT Raw Materials that supports universities in becoming key actors of innovation ecosystems. By enhancing institutional capacities, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the creation of start-ups and spin-offs, BIKE-HEI empowers higher education institutions to drive change in priority areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Climate Action, and the Green Economy.

You are eligible to apply if:

You are a student, researcher, staff member, or alumnus/alumna from one of the following BIKE-HEI Consortium institutions:

  • The University of Alicante & The Alicante Science Park
  • Saarland University 
  • University of Primorska
  • Mariupol State University
  • Other insitutions who are part of the abovementioned institutions ecosystems can participate

Your venture/project is:

  • In an early stage of development and have a minimum viable product (MVP).
  • Start-ups and spin-offs must have been established for less than 5 years
  • Projects that are not yet formally registered or established are also eligible, provided they have a minimum viable product.

Your initiative is thematically aligned with at least two of the following:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Climate or environmental solutions
  • Green or circular economy

What the award offers:

  • A €2000 prize for the recipients of the BIKE-HEI Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award;
  • Possibility to take part in the BIKE-HEI Final Conference at the University of Primorska in the first quarter of 2027 (travel budget included)
  • Mentorship and tailored growth support from innovation experts within the BIKE Hub;
  • Promotion of your initiative across BIKE-HEI and EIT ecosystems;
  • Visibility through the BIKE Hub, including a success story feature;
  • Opportunity to pitch your project at BIKE-HEI-related events;
  • Eligibility for future acceleration programmes.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed online form (including project description and motivation)
  • A project summary (PDF format – 5 pages max)
  • A 5-slide pitch deck (PPT format – 5 slides max) – audiovisual material not exceeding 3 minutes can be included

You must use the official templates provided below:

Deadline for submission: 30th of October

Applications will be registered through Microsoft Forms and materials will be sent to mail:

Microsoft Forms LINK: BIKE-HEI Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award – 3st Edition

Mail: info@bike-hub.eu

Note: applications sent directly to info@bike-hub.eu without filling in the registration form linked above will not be considered.

The full call for applications can be found at this link – BIKE-HEI-Report