Explore the opportunities in BGI's February Newsletter 🚀

February 26^th, 2026

Dear BGI Community,

This month, we bring you a new set of programmes and opportunities designed to accelerate innovation across urban mobility, agrifood, AI and sustainability. From the 3rd edition of the Innov4Mobility Summer School in Aveiro, to international initiatives such as the Cargo Bike Revolution and Brainforest’s Venture Program, this edition highlights concrete pathways for students, startups and innovators to test, validate and scale impactful solutions.

You will also find key open calls, evaluator opportunities and capacity-building programmes, including the Agrifood4Future Capacity Building Program, all aimed at strengthening skills, partnerships and market readiness.

Explore the opportunities below and get involved 🚀

The BGI Team

🚀 Innov4Mobility Summer School 2026

Innov4Mobility returns for its 3^rd Summer School edition, challenging european students to transform real-world urban mobility problems into innovative, impact-driven solutions.

This EIT Urban Mobility-labelled programme brings together students, cities, industry representatives and domain experts in a challenge-based, international learning environment focused on shaping the future of sustainable mobility.

The one-week immersive experience will take place in Aveiro, Portugal, from 8 to 12 September 2026.

Apply here!

Learn more!

Get Involved

🤖 AI4Agrifood

Due to strong interest from startups and corporate partners, the AI4Agrifood Acceleration Program 2026 application period has been extended by one additional week.

If you are building AI-powered solutions for the agrifood sector, or looking to pilot breakthrough technologies, this is your opportunity to join a global acceleration journey focused on real-world validation and scalable impact!

Design real pilots

Validate solutions

Access agrifood corporates

Gain international visibility

Apply here!

Learn more!

Open Innovation

Agrifood4Future - Capacity Building Program

Registrations are still open for the 3rd edition of the Agrifood4Future Capacity Building & Technical Assistance Programme! This is your opportunity to strengthen your expertise in Smart & Precision Agriculture, Green & Digital Transition, Soil Health & Regenerative Practices, and Entrepreneurship, while learning from international experts and benefiting from the know-how of leading institutions. Participants will also earn micro-credentials to enhance their professional profile.

Applications are open until 9 March 2026.

For any enquires, contact us.

Apply here!

Register with CoVE PT to join a growing community shaping the future of vocational training and sustainable, digital and resilient agri-food systems in Portugal, and stay connected through upcoming newsletters, opportunities and collaborations.

🚴‍♂️ Cargo Bike Revolution

The future of last-mile logistics is being reimagined with the launch of the Cargo Bike Revolution Summer School 2026 by EIT Urban Mobility, in collaboration with Ghent University and Technische Universität Berlin, bringing students and professionals to Ghent and Berlin from 12 to 15 of August 2026.

Learn more!

🤝 Startup Summit Lisbon 2026

Startup Summit Lisbon 2026 brings founders, investors, and innovators together in Lisbon for two days of practical insights, meaningful networking, live pitches, hands-on workshops, and high-impact startup booths designed to drive real growth and investment opportunities.

Learn more!

🌲 Brainforest's Venture Program

Applications are open for Brainforest’s Venture Program #7, a 10-week online programme (April–June 2026) supporting early-stage ventures in AI & data for nature intelligence, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity monetisation and deep-tech ecosystem restoration with $2,500 equity-free funding, 1:1 coaching, expert mentorship, ecosystem access and a Demo Day, plus the opportunity for selected teams to pitch in Zürich for up to $125k in equity investment, with applications due by 9 March 2026.

Apply here!

🦄 ViennaUp The Startup Festival

ViennaUP will take place in Vienna from 18–22 May 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and companies for networking, learning and business development, while the Discover ViennaUP programme offers eligible international startups (under five years old, beyond prototype stage and already launched in their home market) up to €500 in reimbursed travel and accommodation support and the opportunity to pitch to international investors, with applications via een-portugal@ani.pt.

Learn more!

Opportunities & Open Calls

📢 New EWA Advance Programme 2026
Deadline: 26 April

The (EWA) Advance Programme supports female founders of market-validated agrifood startups with traction across European countries to accelerate scaling, investment readiness, and commercial growth, with previous EWA alumni encouraged to apply and benefiting from fast-track consideration.

Contact Us!

View details

📢 RAPTOR 2026 Open Call
Deadline: 12 March

The RAPTOR Open Call 2025 supports startups and SMEs developing innovative urban mobility solutions that require real-world testing to address concrete city challenges.

Contact Us!

View details

📢 EIT Food Evaluators in Agriculture
Deadline: 29 March

The 2026 EIT Food Call for Expression of Interest invites senior agriculture experts to join its independent evaluator database to assess innovation proposals across agrifood themes.

Contact Us!

View details

📢 EIT Food Accelerator Network
Deadline: 8 April

The 2026 EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN) call supports agrifood and foodtech startups across Europe to validate their technology and accelerate market readiness.

Contact Us!

View details