Building sustainable deep tech together with VITO4STARTERS
Do you have a groundbreaking technology ready to scale? VITO4STARTERS offers you up to €200,000 in seed funding, tailored technological support and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure. With VITO4STARTERS, your innovation gets off to a flying start. Ready to accelerate?
What is VITO4STARTERS?
VITO4STARTERS is VITO’s accelerator programme for ambitious deep tech entrepreneurs looking to scale their technology and contribute to a sustainable future. VITO, one of Europe's leading research centres with 1,300 employees, turns scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI solutions, and policy advice. We do so with a single objective: to help the world thrive for at least 1,000 more years.
At VITO4STARTERS, your startup takes centre stage. You gain access to capital, technological expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure, personal guidance, and a strong network of investors and industrial partners. This is not a traditional accelerator process, but an intensive collaboration that helps bring your innovation to market faster, smarter and with lasting impact.
Why choose VITO4STARTERS?
VITO4STARTERS goes beyond a traditional accelerator programme. We bring together capital, technology and a strong network in a single, tailored journey for your startup. Here’s what you can expect:
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up to €200,000 in seed funding
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up to €200,000 in technological support, including access to state-of-the-art labs and testing infrastructure
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co-creation and guidance from VITO’s technology experts
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personalised business coaching and strategic advice from our venture builders
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access to a strong ecosystem of investors, industrial partners and fellow innovators within and beyond VITO
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an intensive 12 to 24-month journey, with ongoing support for long-term success
How does the selection process work?
The VITO4STARTERS selection process consists of three stages. At each step, we assess your startup’s growth potential and the strategic fit with VITO’s expertise.
Stage 1: Initial screening
You submit your pitch deck and complete a short questionnaire. We assess your application based on societal impact, team strength, market potential and your unique value proposition. We also make a preliminary assessment of the strategic alignment with VITO’s expertise. This phase is conducted on a non-confidential basis. Promising candidates will be invited to pitch.
Stage 2: Pitch and Q&A
Have you been selected for the second phase? Then you’ll have the opportunity to present your startup live to the VITO4STARTERS team. During a 15-minute session, you'll present your technology, team and ambitions. This is followed by a 15-minute Q&A, where we take a closer look at your approach, market strategy and potential impact. This allows us to quickly understand your potential and identify where VITO can offer added value. If any confidential information is shared, we will of course provide a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Stage 3: Final evaluation
In this final phase, we carry out a due diligence process. We assess the investment potential, the sustainability impact and the added value of a collaboration with VITO. If the outcome is positive, we will move forward together with a tailored support programme. As in the previous phase, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) can be arranged if any confidential information is shared.
After each phase, we personally inform only the selected candidates.
Our investment domains
At VITO4STARTERS, we invest in deep tech that enables sustainable impact. We support startups that use technology to drive societal change. Whether you are working on clean air, smart energy networks or food security – if your innovation delivers both societal and technological impact, we want to hear from you. Applications within defence or dual-use contexts (technologies that can be deployed for both civilian and military purposes) are also eligible, provided they align with one of our investment domains. Discover the domains we invest in below.
A healthy living environment is the foundation of a sustainable future. That’s why we support startups that use technology to purify air, water, and soil, combat pollution, or convert CO2 emissions into valuable applications. Think of smart solutions for water management, innovative air purification, CO2 capture and reuse, or technologies for soil restoration.
The energy transition demands smart and resilient solutions. We invest in technologies that future-proof the energy grid, optimise the use of renewable energy, and enable the smart integration of sectors such as electricity, heat, and mobility.
We invest in startups that focus on more efficient use of resources and circular innovation.
Whether you are developing new sustainable materials, creating smart recycling technologies, or redesigning production processes towards a circular economy — we help you turn that ambition into reality.
We support startups that develop technological solutions for healthy food and healthcare, with a focus on prevention. Think of smart agricultural solutions, technologies to reduce food waste, or innovations for preventive healthcare.
Waste is not an endpoint, but a new resource. We invest in startups that valorise biomass, develop bio-based materials, or strengthen circular value chains through biotechnology.
Are you developing technologies for sustainable renovation, efficient land use or the decarbonisation of industries? Then VITO4STARTERS is here to provide the support you need.
Are you working on sustainable innovations that fall outside the domains listed above, but still have a strong impact? Then we’d love to hear your story. Check if your idea fits >
Who is VITO4STARTERS for?
Are you a European deep tech startup with a sustainable idea that combines technology and impact? Then VITO4STARTERS is the place for you. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, we offer tailored support to meet your needs. You are eligible if:
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you are a startup
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you are based in Europe
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you operate within one of our investment domains
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your technology is between Technology Readiness Level 2 and 6 (from first proof of concept to a working prototype ready for operational testing)
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your team includes at least two complementary founders (mandatory requirement)
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you need technological support, infrastructure or capital
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you meet the EU SME definition
What happens after the VITO4STARTERS programme?
Your journey doesn’t end when the programme finishes. At VITO, we believe in long-term partnerships. We continue to support you with strategic advice, new collaborations, and access to follow-up programmes. This way, you can keep building your technology, strengthening your market position, and expanding your impact. Together, we ensure your innovation not only grows, but also makes a lasting difference.
