A services and business incubator for geospatial open-source developments
EU-wide coordination and support framework for the establishment of a service and business incubator for open-source geospatial software. Applications possible until 15.04.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Establishment of a business incubator to promote the entrepreneurial sustainability and European sovereignty of open-source geospatial software projects through business mentoring, IP consulting, matchmaking with investors, and financial support from third parties.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs for coordination and incubator operations
- Travel expenses for workshops and conferences
- Costs for dissemination and community building
- Financial support for third parties (FSTP)
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of real estate
- Retroactive costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Founders
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Eligibility for legal entities in the EU and associated countries
- Consortium of at least three independent partners from three different countries
- Provision of 45–60% of the project budget as financial aid to third parties
Documents required for application
- Application form (HE CSA)
- Project description
- Financial plan
- Curricula vitae of key personnel
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Quality and efficiency of project management
- Expected impact on sustainability and European sovereignty
- Dissemination and exploitation measures
Description
EU Business Incubator for Open-Source Geospatial Software Projects provides a Europe-wide coordination and support framework for the development of a service and business incubator for open-source geospatial software. Funding is available for SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, non-profit organizations, as well as public entities within the EU and associated countries. A consortium of at least three independent partners from three different countries is required. Over a period of up to 36 months, the grant – with a funding rate of 100% and a total budget of €6 million – enables business mentoring, IP consulting, matchmaking with investors, as well as financial support for third-party recipients (45–60% of the budget). Eligible applicants include developers, urban and regional planners, open-source communities, research projects, and all those wishing to transition their software projects into sustainable business models. The submission deadline is April 15, 2026.
The incubator aims to strengthen entrepreneurial sustainability and European sovereignty of critical software ecosystems for environmental monitoring, climate, and biodiversity services. Applications are evaluated based on innovation content, organizational efficiency, and expected impact on sustainability, as well as dissemination measures. Project costs such as personnel, material expenses, travel costs for workshops, community building, and dissemination are eligible, whereas real estate acquisitions and retrospective costs are not. Essential are a convincing financing plan, consortium agreements, and CVs of key personnel. Evaluation criteria include innovation, impact, and quality of project implementation. Promising project ideas will be supported through selection of up to three project phases, along with assistance in investor search and legal matters. The focus lies on potential for European competitive advantages and long-term open-source service providers in the geospatial sector.