European founders, seize the opportunity! On 23 October 2025, the Innovation Fair arrives in Brussels (with a hybrid format) with the theme “Enabling that step forward.” They seek 16 remarkable startups to share the stage with innovators from Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean, showcasing solutions with market and societal potential across these regions.
What’s in it for you
Sixteen startups/SMEs, including university spin-offs, will be chosen to deliver a two-minute pitch to an audience of public and private investors, policymakers, and potential partners (such as corporations, researchers, and civil society organizations).
Successful pitchers will receive customized prizes to de-risk and develop their projects, including support with intellectual property, business and market planning, marketing, R&D scaling, or manufacturing processes. They will also be sponsored to attend the Brussels event.
Who’s it for?
Applicants’ pitches should emphasize international collaboration with Africa and/or the Mediterranean, aligning with the following research and innovation cooperation priorities:
Public Health (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation improve public health in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean?
Green Transition: How does your innovation (a) enhance food security and agriculture, or (b) combat climate change and promote green transitions in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean?
– a) Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (2 startups/SMEs)
– b) Renewable energy, climate change, and sustainable/renewable energy (2 startups/SMEs)
Innovation and Technology (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation enhance innovation and technology in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean?
Capacities for Science (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and/or research ecosystems in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean?
Applications are open for all stages of startups/SMEs.
How to apply
Submit your expression of interest by 24 August 2025 (midnight CEST). Include a brief description of your innovation, the challenge addressed, your traction, and the support required for scaling. Ensure all questions are answered thoroughly, and all necessary documents are included.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with details.
About the Innovation Fair
The Innovation Fair will celebrate R&I cooperation between Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean and contribute to implementing key multilateral regional initiatives: the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the New Pact for the Mediterranean, and the Union for the Mediterranean R&I Roadmaps.
The event will feature morning pitches and an afternoon exhibition of innovative solutions, hosting around 500 attendees on-site. Participants can network with key R&I stakeholders, investors, and senior officials.
Who is behind it
Expressions of interest will be evaluated by a task force from the Innovation Fair organizing team, comprising representatives from the Africa–Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP), Strengthening European and African Digital Ecosystems (SEADE), the AU–EU Innovation Agenda Working Group of the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Two key events – back to back!
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) is organizing its annual event, Bridging Continents through Innovation: Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues, one day before the Innovation Fair, on 22 October in Brussels, Belgium. As a Horizon Europe project, AEIP supports African-Europe research and innovation collaboration.
Successful pitchers are also invited to these Innovation Dialogues to interact with other innovation value chain stakeholders, such as African and European policymakers, civil society, incubators, accelerators, and more. They will receive firsthand insights about the AEIP Platform and opportunities, including training, partnerships, networking, etc.
Attendance at the Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues is open even if you do not pitch at the Innovation Fair. The event will be hybrid, allowing registration for online participation. Register here.
For further details about the Innovation Fair and application process, click here or contact [email protected].