EIT RawMaterials has launched its latest booster call aimed at supporting European raw materials start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs.
The booster call will generate strategic investments into innovative businesses to reinforce the security and resilience of European raw materials supply chains.
The funding will enable businesses to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions.
Bernd Schäfer, CEO & Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, said: “The European raw materials industry is entering a transformative period, driven forward by the Critical Raw Materials Act, which sets the stage for a new era of growth for our sector.
“Building on this momentum, the EIT RawMaterials Booster Call is a key instrument to propel start-ups forward and to scale up their innovative ideas and technologies.
“With our increased investment capacity of up to €500,000 per case, we are excited to turbo-charge the European start-up ecosystem in the raw materials arena.”
Developing the European raw materials ecosystem
Since its inception in 2016, the EIT RawMaterials booster call has been carried out nine times.
With over 1,000 start-up applications received, more than 300 have been granted support, propelling their innovations towards significant breakthroughs.
The 2024 and 2025 booster call will unfold across four phases, during which EIT RawMaterials will allocate up to €500,000 to each chosen business case.
Additionally, strategic and financial assistance will be provided to expedite the advancement of these ventures.
Who can apply?
Applications from three categories are invited:
- Responsible sourcing: Pioneering mineral exploration and processing to fuel Europe’s sustainable future
- Sustainable materials: Harnessing and recycling eco-friendly raw materials to power green transportation and energy solutions
- Circular society: Spearheading the shift towards a circular economy to drive economic prosperity and achieve carbon neutrality
These include start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs that:
- Are a legally registered entity in an EU member state or associated countries under Horizon Europe
- Offer a solution pertinent to one of the innovation themes surrounding raw materials
- Possess a dedicated founding/management team committed full-time to the company for at least the next five years
- Have a product or service validated by customers, reaching at least Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4), demonstrating a proven market demand
- Demonstrate an average time to market and revenue generation of 2-3 years
- Target a substantial and scalable market with significant growth potential
- Seek additional support in the form of value-added services and financial advisory services
- Is actively seeking an equity partner
EIT RawMaterials’ booster call stands as a major opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe, signalling a commitment to fortify and revitalise the European raw materials sector.
