EU-LAC opens sixth startup-corporate call

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator has opened its sixth call for partnerships between corporations and startups or small and medium-sized enterprises from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean. The accelerator says applications are open until Nov. 30, 2026, and that selected partnerships can join a six-month program focused on validating technology, developing business models, preparing for international expansion and getting ready for investment.

According to the program’s open call #6 press kit, the current round is live now. El Carabobeño reported on Oct. 14, 2026 that the call is aimed at alliances where a corporation has a product or process challenge and a startup or SME offers a digital solution, with the two organizations based in different eligible regions.

What does the sixth call ask applicants to build?

The accelerator says each application must bring together a corporate challenge and a digital solution from a startup or SME. In practice, that means the program is looking for cross-border partnerships, not standalone startup applications.

The official site describes the platform as connecting opportunities from large corporations to startups and innovative SMEs through to an investment-ready stage. It says participating startups are matched with corporate challenges to improve, renovate or diversify businesses using digital technologies.

The accelerator also says it is seeking startups, scaleups and SMEs with finished digital-based products or services and international expansion ambitions. On the corporate side, it says it wants established companies that are pursuing digital transformation through open innovation and collaboration with startups.

What support and funding are on offer?

The accelerator says selected partnerships receive a tailored six-month acceleration program that includes technology validation, business-model development, international expansion and investment preparation. Its homepage says the services include partnership-building support, a tailored value-creation roadmap, proof-of-concept work, business-case definition and access to investment opportunities.

The open call #6 press kit says the program advertises up to €10,500 for a proof of concept and sets the same Nov. 30 deadline. El Carabobeño reported that the money may cover proof-of-concept development, travel to corporate facilities and equipment transport, subject to program eligibility criteria.

The accelerator also says its broader acceleration services are valued at up to €30,000 to €40,000. It frames those services as a way to turn a collaboration into a validated pilot ready to scale.

How is the accelerator positioned in Europe and Latin America?

The accelerator says it is financed under NDICI-Global Europe within the EU-LAC Digital Alliance framework. On its about page, the program says the alliance is the first regional digital partnership between Latin American and Caribbean countries and the EU, and that it sits within Global Gateway.

The accelerator says its goals include connecting corporate challenges with startup and SME solutions, building joint business cases and linking digital projects with public and private investors. It also says the program is designed to foster competitiveness, digital skills and innovation through a regional EU-LAC Digital Accelerator.

The site says the initiative has 10 partners across two continents and one team. Those partners include TECNALIA Research & Innovation, OCTANTIS, IESE, University of Navarra, EBN, EBAN, Expertise France, Tecnalia Colombia, WAYRA Hispam, Caribbean Export and BID Lab, each described by the accelerator in its about section.

Which sectors are in scope for this call?

The accelerator says it will focus on six opportunity areas: smart production, cleantech, health tech, e-services, sustainable mobility and artificial intelligence. The program lists those sectors as the ones currently available for partnerships.

The site also says the network around the accelerator includes startups, corporates, investors, accelerators, business support organizations and public bodies. Participants can access the matching platform, selected deal flow of investment opportunities, tailored acceleration services and international visibility.

The program’s site lists recent partnership examples and news items, including a June 2024 Caribbean open innovation event, an August 2024 Ormazabal cleantech startup search, a June 2025 Engage x IDMAPS partnership targeting fraudulent transactions, and October 2026 items on Maria Almenara x linkhub.ai and Alvarez Bohl’s work with startups. Those posts add context to the accelerator’s public website archive.