European AI startups looking to scale up and prepare for a Series A funding round can apply for LLM-BRIDGE’s Acceleration Program. The program lasts 14 weeks and helps participants become investor-ready and expand into new markets. The application deadline is November 18, 2026. The first cohort has space for 15 participants.
Selected startups will receive:
- Business Optimization. Tailored advice to refine your scaling strategy.
- Technological Acceleration. Access to European HPC infrastructure to enhance your GenAI solutions.
- Regulatory support. Guidance on European AI regulations, data protection, and ethically responsible AI.
- Investor Readiness: Preparing for a Series A Round and Beyond.
- Networking opportunities. Connections with investors, research institutions, and industry partners throughout Europe.
The program consists of four tracks:
AIC4NL handles business optimization: go-to-market strategy, pricing, sales, partnerships, and leadership coaching. ALT-EDIC provides technical acceleration through European high-performance computing, EU language datasets, and support for fine-tuning and benchmarking. ALT-EDIC also guides participants through European regulations, such as the AI Act. 28DIGITAL prepares startups for meetings with investors—from pitch decks and financial models to data rooms.
The program will run online from January through April 2027 and will conclude with the Investor Roundtable Summit, tentatively scheduled to take place during the Wolves Summit in April 2027. That is the only in-person component. Three participants will win the Acceleration Prize: twelve months of fundraising guidance from 28DIGITAL and a membership in ADRA.
Eligibility requirements:
- Startups with (recurring) paying customers that develop solutions using GenAI or Large Language Models.
- TRL 8–9. The technology has proven itself under operational conditions, and the product is commercially available.
- The company is working toward a Series A funding round.
- The company is based in an EU member state or in a country associated with the Digital Europe Program.
Important dates
- September 18, 2026. Call for proposals opens
- October 16, 2026, 2:00–3:00 p.m. Online informational webinar
- November 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CET. Deadline
- December 2026 through January 2027. Announcement of the results
- January 7, 2027. Start of the program
- April 2027. Investor Roundtable Summit
For more information and to apply, visit the call page. Be sure to read the full call as well.
