Request for Proposal:  Organisation of the “Startup Builder” Phase II of the EIT Jumpstarter Programme (2026–2027)

Overview

EIT RawMaterials is a ‘Knowledge and Innovation Communities’ (KICs) created by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), aimed at promoting innovation in the raw materials sector across Europe. Established in 2015, EIT RawMaterials works to secure the sustainable supply of raw materials to the European industry by driving innovation, education, and entrepreneurship along the entire raw materials value chain.

EIT Jumpstarter is the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s flagship pre-acceleration programme supporting early-stage innovators in transforming ideas into scalable businesses. Delivered through multiple EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, it combines training, mentoring, market validation and pitching opportunities across strategic sectors such as health, food, energy, manufacturing, mobility and raw materials. The programme is linked to the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), which aims to strengthen innovation capacity in widening regions of Europe by increasing participation from emerging ecosystems. Since its launch in 2017, Jumpstarter has trained more than 1,500 innovators, supported over 150 start-ups and generated substantial follow-on investment, making it a strong model for entrepreneurship development and innovation-led regional growth.

In 2026, applicants can submit their ideas in one of six categories, powered and mentored by different EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities – EIT KICs: 

• Healthcare powered by EIT Health 
• Food & Agritech powered by EIT Food 
• Raw Materials: metals, minerals and industrial side streams powered by EIT RawMaterials 
• Energy and Renewables powered by InnoEnergy 
• Smart Cities and Mobility powered by EIT Urban Mobility 
• additional thematic category Supporting Maltese startups and innovations powered by EIT Communities together with Xjenza Malta and dedicated for applicants from Malta. 

According to the Terms & Conditions, the 2026 edition of the EIT Jumpstarter programme is structured into three main phases:

• Online Bootcamps, which focus on initial training and idea validation;
• Startup Builder phase, where startups further develop their business concepts with mentoring support;
• Online Grand Demo Day, where selected startups pitch their ventures to a jury and compete for final awards.

In this context, on behalf of the EIT Community and the EIT Cross-KIC Regional Innovation & Internationalisation Cluster (RI&I), EIT RawMaterials GmbH aims to conclude a single contract for the organisation of the “Startup Builder” phase of the EIT Jumpstarter programme for the period 2026-2027, with the possibility of a one-year extension. The specifications of this RfP will form an integral part of the contract. Non-compliance during the implementation phase may lead to early termination by EIT RawMaterials.

 General objectives

The contractor shall design, implement and deliver the EIT Jumpstarter Phase II “Startup Builder Training” during the Q3 of the 2026–2027 implementation period[1]. The activity shall support up to eighty-two (82) [2]selected early‑stage startups in further developing and validating their business assumptions, strengthening entrepreneurial and startup‑building competencies, and preparing for startup incorporation. The main objective of Phase II (“Startup Builder”) is to help selected startups validate their business assumptions, strengthen entrepreneurial and presentation skills, receive expert mentoring, and at the end to develop investor-ready Business Plans. By the end of the phase, startups are expected to have already prepared business plans and committed to formally incorporate their startup and progress to the Grand Demo Day. The Contractor shall ensure that every startup will receive equal training opportunities regardless their sector: healthcare, food & agritech, raw materials: metals, minerals and industrial side streams, energy and renewables, smart cities and mobility, Maltese startups.

Detailed scope of work

TAKS 1. ORGANIZATION AND DELIVERING IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (July - September 2026-2027)

Minimum requirements:

• Total duration: 16 hours (2 consecutive days);
• Format: deep‑dive expert sessions and peer‑to‑peer workshops;
• Participation: mandatory attendance of at least one startup representative;
• Coverage: all 6 cohorts – up to 82 startups (the final number of participating startups can be different – subject to the outcomes of the Phase I “Online Bootcamps”)
• Attendance is monitored and recorded for each online session, with participation tracked per startup.

TASK 2. CROSS-COHORT ONLINE LIVE WEBINARS (July – September 2026-2027)

The contractor shall design and deliver a structured series of cross‑cohort live webinars addressing entrepreneurial and startup‑building topics relevant to all participating startups, regardless of thematic area.

Minimum requirements

• Total duration: minimum 18 hours of live online webinars
• Target group: all 82 startups (5 cohorts × 14 startups plus startups from Maltese cohort)
• Format: live, interactive sessions (e.g. Q&A, practical exercises, discussion)
• Group composition: mixed cohorts, enabling cross‑sector learning and exchange

Expected results: Upon successful implementation of Phase II – the EIT Jumpstarter Startup Builder Training – all six participating cohorts, comprising up to 82 start-ups in total, will have completed a coherent, high-quality training programme combining mandatory in-person sessions, live online trainings, and practical assignments. The programme shall cover the following indicative topic areas:

• Validation of problem–solution fit and product–market fit
• Business modelling and value proposition development
• Customer discovery and go-to-market fundamentals
• Financial fundamentals for early-stage start-ups
• Presentation and pitching skills
• Start-up setup and incorporation basics

By the end of the trainings, all startups must prepare a concise Business Plan using the provided template, reflecting the outcomes of the training and analyses and supported by KIC-organised mentoring.

Reporting

To be eligible for payment, the Contractor is obliged to submit the corresponding Performance Reports for each Task 1 and Task 2 to EIT RawMaterials GmbH following the completion of each Task but no later than September of each implementation year.

Proposal timeline & Submission process

Publishing the RFP on EIT RawMaterials website - May 15th, 2026

Deadline for requesting clarification from EIT RawMaterials - May 22nd, 2026

Deadline for submitting proposals - June 7th, 2026

Interviews with potential suppliers - June 15th – 18th, 2026

Intended date of notification of award - June 22nd – 26th, 2026

Intended date of contract signature - July 06th -10th, 2026

Intended start date of the contract implementation - July 13th, 2026

Proposals must contain:

• Annex 1 - Tenderers’ Declaration Form (signed in DPF format);
• Registration document(s) of the legal entity / extract from the state registry (PDF Format);
• CVs of at least three (3) core experts who will form the contractor’s core project team (PDF format);
• Technical Response to the Scope of Work described in Section 2 and Expected Results described in Section 2.3, submitted in the form of detailed agendas (PDF format) for each Task;
• Financial offer.

Proposals must be submitted via email in English until June 7th 2026, 16 p.m. CET to the following address:

Contact name: Ms. Tina Benda & Mr. Yevhen Kurulenko

Email: tina.benda@eitrawmaterials.eu ; yevhen.kurulenko@eitrawmaterials.eu

Subject: Proposal EIT Jumpstarter Startup Builder

Proposals must be concise and clear. The tenderer’s proposal will be incorporated into any contract that results from this procedure. Tenderers are, therefore, cautioned not to make claims or statements that they are not prepared to commit to contractually. Subsequent modifications and counterproposals shall, if applicable, also become an integral part of any resulting contract.

For more details about the scope of work, expected results, and eligibility criteria, please download the RfP document and follow the detailed instructions.