SPIN: Rise Programme for Deep-Tech Researchers

Deadline: 05-Sep-2026

SPIN: Rise is designed to support researchers and scientists who want to explore the commercial and societal impact of their research beyond academia. The programme helps participants develop entrepreneurial skills, understand research commercialization pathways, and evaluate opportunities for launching innovation-driven ventures.

Through a combination of online training, mentoring, practical workshops, and in-person bootcamps, participants gain the tools needed to transform scientific discoveries into market-ready products, services, and startups.

The initiative focuses on strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem by helping researchers bridge the gap between scientific excellence and commercial application.

Programme Details

• Programme Name: SPIN: Rise
• Programme Type: Venture Creation and Pre-Incubation Programme
• Participation Cost: Free for selected participants
• Funding Provided: No direct financial grant
• Accommodation: Covered during the bootcamp
• Travel Expenses: Paid by participants
• Target Audience: Early-career researchers and scientists
• Geographic Eligibility: European Union Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries
• Delivery Format: Hybrid (Online and In-Person)

Purpose of the Programme

SPIN: Rise aims to help researchers explore how their scientific work can generate societal, economic, and technological impact through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Key objectives include:

• Supporting research commercialization.
• Encouraging venture creation based on scientific discoveries.
• Strengthening entrepreneurial capabilities among researchers.
• Promoting industry-academia collaboration.
• Increasing awareness of intellectual property opportunities.
• Helping participants identify market applications for research.
• Building innovation and business development skills.
• Facilitating access to European innovation ecosystems.

The programme enables participants to evaluate the commercial potential of their research and develop pathways for bringing innovations to market.

Thematic Tracks

Participants can apply to one of several specialized innovation tracks.

Climate Innovation Bridge

This track focuses on innovations addressing climate-related challenges.

Areas may include:

• Climate technologies.
• Renewable energy solutions.
• Sustainability innovations.
• Carbon reduction technologies.
• Environmental resilience.
• Green industrial transformation.

Ventures in Emerging and Critical Technologies for Aerospace and Robotics

This track supports cutting-edge innovations in advanced technologies.

Relevant areas include:

• Aerospace technologies.
• Robotics systems.
• Autonomous platforms.
• Artificial intelligence applications.
• Advanced manufacturing.
• Space-related innovations.

Health Pioneers

This track is designed for researchers working on innovations in healthcare and life sciences.

Potential topics include:

• Medical technologies.
• Digital health solutions.
• Diagnostics.
• Biotechnology.
• Healthcare innovation.
• Patient-centered technologies.

Empowering Next-Generation Dual-Use Technologies

This track supports technologies with both civilian and strategic applications.

Examples may include:

• Security technologies.
• Advanced sensing systems.
• Artificial intelligence solutions.
• Communications technologies.
• Advanced materials.
• Emerging strategic technologies.

What Participants Will Learn

The programme provides practical entrepreneurial training tailored to researchers.

Learning topics include:

Intellectual Property Valorisation

Participants learn how to:

• Identify valuable intellectual property.
• Protect research outputs.
• Develop commercialization strategies.
• Maximize innovation impact.

Licensing and Technology Transfer

Participants gain knowledge about:

• Licensing opportunities.
• Technology transfer processes.
• Industry partnerships.
• Commercialization pathways.

Venture Creation

Topics include:

• Startup formation.
• Venture design.
• Entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Team development.

Business Model Development

Participants explore:

• Customer discovery.
• Value proposition design.
• Revenue models.
• Market validation strategies.

Investor Communication

Researchers learn how to:

• Present innovations effectively.
• Develop investor pitches.
• Communicate commercial potential.
• Engage with innovation stakeholders.

Funding and Investment Pathways

Training covers:

• Public funding opportunities.
• Innovation grants.
• Venture capital.
• Early-stage investment ecosystems.

Market Entry Strategies

Participants develop skills related to:

• Market assessment.
• Commercial readiness.
• Competitive positioning.
• Scaling opportunities.

Programme Structure

SPIN: Rise combines multiple learning formats to maximize participant engagement and practical experience.

Online Learning

Participants receive access to structured training modules covering innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization topics.

Personalised Coaching

Each participant benefits from expert guidance tailored to their research area and commercialization goals.

Peer Learning

Researchers collaborate with fellow participants, share experiences, and receive feedback from multidisciplinary teams.

Immersive Bootcamp

Participants attend an in-person bootcamp in one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs.

Bootcamp locations include:

• Madrid, Spain
• Turin, Italy
• Lille, France

The bootcamp provides practical workshops, networking opportunities, mentorship sessions, and exposure to innovation ecosystems.

Benefits of Participating

Selected participants gain access to several valuable opportunities.

Benefits include:

• Free participation in the programme.
• Expert coaching and mentoring.
• Access to leading innovation ecosystems.
• Entrepreneurial skills development.
• Networking with researchers and innovators.
• Exposure to investors and industry experts.
• Improved commercialization readiness.
• Enhanced understanding of venture creation.
• Opportunities for future collaboration and partnerships.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is designed for researchers interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Eligible applicants include:

• Early-career researchers.
• Scientists working on deep-tech innovations.
• Academic researchers with commercially relevant projects.
• Research teams developing innovative technologies.

Applicants may apply:

• Individually.
• As part of a research team.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be affiliated with a university or research organisation.
• Be based in a European Union Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• Be conducting research with commercialization potential.
• Demonstrate interest in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Applications are accepted from:

• Researchers affiliated with 28DIGITAL partner institutions.
• Researchers from other eligible universities and research organisations.

Special Opportunities for EIC Beneficiaries

The programme reserves up to five places in each thematic track for beneficiaries of:

• European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder projects.
• European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition projects.

This provides additional opportunities for researchers already involved in high-potential European innovation initiatives.

Why This Programme Matters

Many groundbreaking scientific discoveries never reach the market due to limited commercialization knowledge and entrepreneurial support.

SPIN: Rise addresses this challenge by helping researchers:

• Understand commercialization pathways.
• Develop business and innovation skills.
• Explore startup creation opportunities.
• Build industry connections.
• Transform research into practical solutions.
• Increase societal and economic impact.

The programme contributes to strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity by supporting the next generation of research-driven entrepreneurs.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Submit an Application

Researchers submit their application individually or as a team, selecting the thematic track most relevant to their research.

Step 2: Selection Process

Applications are reviewed based on eligibility, research quality, innovation potential, and alignment with programme objectives.

Step 3: Participate in Online Training

Selected participants begin the programme through online learning modules and interactive sessions.

Step 4: Receive Coaching and Mentoring

Participants work closely with experienced mentors and innovation experts.

Step 5: Attend the Innovation Bootcamp

Researchers participate in an intensive in-person bootcamp in Madrid, Turin, or Lille.

Step 6: Develop Commercialization Pathways

Participants refine commercialization strategies, business models, and venture concepts.

Step 7: Explore Future Opportunities

Researchers continue developing partnerships, funding opportunities, and potential startup initiatives beyond the programme.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their applications by:

• Clearly explaining the innovation behind their research.
• Demonstrating commercial potential.
• Showing societal or industry relevance.
• Highlighting unique technological advantages.
• Describing potential market applications.
• Explaining motivation for entrepreneurship.
• Identifying potential users or customers.
• Presenting a clear innovation vision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Focusing only on scientific achievements without discussing impact.
• Providing unclear commercialization pathways.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Failing to demonstrate market relevance.
• Ignoring potential customer needs.
• Overlooking intellectual property considerations.
• Presenting overly technical explanations without practical context.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is participation free?

• Yes. Participation is free for selected applicants.

Does the programme provide direct funding?

• No. The programme does not provide direct grants or financial awards.

What costs are covered?

• Accommodation during the in-person bootcamp is covered by the programme.

Are travel expenses covered?

• No. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses.

Can researchers apply as a team?

• Yes. Applications may be submitted individually or as part of a team.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Researchers affiliated with eligible universities or research organizations in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries may apply.

What type of research is best suited for the programme?

• The programme is designed for deep-tech and innovation-driven research projects with strong commercialization potential.

Conclusion

SPIN: Rise offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career researchers and scientists to explore entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and venture creation. Through expert mentoring, innovation-focused training, and immersive bootcamp experiences in leading European innovation hubs, participants gain the knowledge and skills needed to transform scientific discoveries into impactful real-world solutions.

Researchers working on deep-tech innovations, climate technologies, healthcare solutions, aerospace, robotics, and dual-use technologies should consider SPIN: Rise as a valuable pathway toward building successful innovation-driven ventures and expanding the impact of their research beyond academia.

For more information, visit EIT.