Call for Proposals: AI Entrepreneurs Development Programme

The AI Entrepreneurs Lab is an intensive, five-day founder bootcamp for early-stage talent in applied artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. It is run by 28DIGITAL under the EIT Community AI & Robotics, supporting Europe’s next applied AI and robotics companies through hands-on customer and investor engagement, ending with a Demo Day. The application deadline is 21 October 2026 at 17:00 CET. The AI Entrepreneurs Lab is designed for early-stage talent with applied AI and robotics ideas who want to move from research concepts to founder-led company building. The programme focuses on practical validation through public testing with customers, founders, and investors. The Lab runs in a cohort format, turning ideas into venture foundations with a structured sequence of mentoring, commercial-model testing, and pitch development, concluding with a Demo Day. The opportunity provides the following support and awards:

Not specified in the source: whether prize funding is the only financial support available, or whether participants receive any additional grants beyond the prizes.

The programme is for Master’s and PhD students and graduates with strong AI or robotics ideas and the motivation to build a business.

You may apply:

Timing/venture status:

The source also states you are a strong fit if you:

Geographic eligibility:

Exclusions:

The programme supports venture development in applied AI and robotics, with particular attention to the following Core AI and Robotics themes: The programme’s activities are structured around: This opportunity is built for early-stage founders who want to validate applied AI or robotics concepts quickly and credibly. By requiring public testing with customers, founders, and investors and by awarding prizes based on “evidence,” the programme emphasizes practical venture traction over presentation style. For eligible participants, the main value is a focused, five-day push to develop investor-ready venture foundations—plus potential access to substantial prize funding at Demo Day.

Official application link: “Apply here” (Not specified in the source text provided, so the exact URL was not included.)

Who runs the AI Entrepreneurs Lab? It is operated by 28DIGITAL under the EIT Community AI & Robotics. How long is the programme? The programme is a five-day founder bootcamp, running across three cities, and ends with a Demo Day. How many participants are selected? The source states that up to 15 people join a cohort. Team applications may include up to two people. Is there prize funding? Yes. The Lab awards up to five prizes of €10,000 each on merit at Demo Day. Do participants need to have a fully launched startup? No. You can apply with an early concept or with a recently incorporated startup at pre-launch stage. What is the application deadline and time zone? Applications must be submitted by 21 October 2026 at 17:00 CET. What documents are required for the application?

The source lists: the completed application form, a CV for each team member, and a short, creative presentation of your idea.

Review the official AI Entrepreneurs Lab guidelines on the EIT website and submit your application through the referenced official platform before 21 October 2026 (17:00 CET). If any details (such as eligible countries or the exact “Apply here” link URL) are not shown in the information above, confirm them in the official opportunity page and submission instructions.