The LLM-BRIDGE Consortium invites qualified incubators and innovation partners to apply to participate in the LLM-BRIDGE Venture Incubation Programme (VIP): an initiative designed to accelerate the emergence of European startups developing solutions powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (GenAI).
The LLM-BRIDGE consortium seeks a partner that shares its mission of contributing to trustworthy, multilingual European AI innovation. The selected incubator will not only support breakthrough startups, but also strengthen its own role as a leading actor in Europe’s rapidly expanding GenAI landscape, contributing to the development of a resilient ecosystem for the next generation of European GenAI startups.
This call is implemented by 28DIGITAL in collaboration with the partners of the LLM-BRIDGE Consortium.
Under the LLM-BRIDGE’s financial support to third parties (FSTP), the selected incubator will receive up to 60 000 € to deliver the VIP.
The selected incubator will run a 12-week programme designed to help startups validate markets, refine business models, and prepare for the forthcoming LLM-BRIDGE Acceleration Programme.
The LLM-BRIDGE VIP aims to identify and empower an incubator engaged in early-stage startups in the fields of GenAI, multilingual AI, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
For more information on eligibility requirements, please see the official Open Call document, which is also linked below.
The incubator will be responsible for:
Programme Delivery: Execute the 12-week incubation cycle in close coordination with the LLM-BRIDGE Consortium. This includes onboarding, weekly mentoring sessions, and organisation of the final Demo Day.
Mentoring and Capacity Building: Provide access to a multidisciplinary pool of mentors, business advisors, and AI technical experts who can guide startups through product validation, compliance with EU data and AI regulations, and investor readiness preparations.
Curriculum Integration: Deliver modules covering entrepreneurial skills, market positioning, user testing, ethical AI design, legal frameworks (AI Act, GDPR, Data Act), and sustainable business models.
Monitoring and Reporting: Track progress against predefined milestones, collect qualitative and quantitative indicators (e.g. MVP development, market validation, funding readiness), and contribute to consolidated reports for the European Commission under FSTP monitoring rules.
Ecosystem Engagement: Facilitate connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and industrial partners to foster collaboration and post-programme continuity.
Data and Ethics Compliance: Ensure all supported startups follow ethical AI practices, data protection principles, and the European approach to trustworthy AI and EU legislation.
Visibility and Dissemination: Promote the LLM-BRIDGE project through communication channels, events, and digital platforms, highlighting its contribution to Europe’s AI sovereignty and innovation ecosystem.
Activities may be conducted onsite, online, or hybrid, ensuring accessibility for startups across Europe.
The selection process is described in the official Open Call document (click the button below) and comprises the following steps to ensure transparency, impartiality, and compliance with the EU Digital Europe Programme principles of fairness and excellence: eligibility check, independent evaluation, consensus meeting, and panel ranking. The application deadline is 23 March 2026 at 17:00 CET.
The call is also available on the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal.
Contact 28DIGITAL: llm-bridge@28digital.eu
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