European guidance for startups building with Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI
Startups go through different growth phases and, as a result, face various challenges. They may already have a fully functional prototype, but training and testing the model require a lot of computing power and, therefore, financial resources. Furthermore, the data needed to train the models is not easy to find. But the search for potential customers, securing funding from investors, and complying with (international) regulations also require a great deal of time and manpower.
LLM-BRIDGE is a program that accelerates the growth of AI startups. Participants gain access to computing power and datasets for training models, guidance on regulatory matters, and a broad network of entrepreneurs, experts, and investors across ten European countries.
Three programs
LLM-BRIDGE offers three programs, each designed for a different stage of your startup. They are open to startups working with generative AI, LLMs, natural language processing, multilingual AI, and AI applications that can be used across multiple sectors.
The Venture Incubation Program
The program lasts twelve weeks and focuses on market validation, product-market fit, technical guidance, and investor readiness. The consortium selects thirty startups. The five highest-rated participants each receive 25,000 euros and pitch to investors and experts at Demo Day. The first cohort is currently underway; the next round will open in late 2026.
The Entrepreneurial Education Program
Focuses on pre-seed and seed stages. You’ll participate in workshops and receive one-on-one mentoring on business operations, technology, regulations, and financing. The consortium will open this call in the winter of 2026.
The Acceleration Program
This program is intended for companies working toward a Series A round. You’ll work on investment readiness, scaling up, and regulatory compliance, and the program concludes with matchmaking with investors. This call for applications opens in the fall of 2026.
About LLM-BRIDGE
LLM-BRIDGE launched on September 1, 2025, and will run for three years. The European Union is funding the project through the Digital Europe Program, and the Alliance for Language Technologies (ALT-EDIC) is coordinating the consortium. The project connects language technology research with entrepreneurs who turn that research into products.
The program’s objective is to strengthen national ecosystems surrounding generative AI by helping startups, scale-ups, incubators, and investors develop and scale their solutions responsibly. Participants gain access to high-performance computing for training models, to expertise from research and industry, and to a cross-border network of investors and partners.
