Rocket Up
The Rocket Up programme empowers tech startups led by women founders and leaders to scale across Europe through market entry opportunities, business validation, and access to expert know-how.
Programme Structure and Content
Through our tailored programmes and resources, we empower women founders and investors to thrive at every stage of their journey.
Phase 1
Choose Your Market
April - July
• Identify key success factors in your home market and translate them to potential new markets.
• Define and execute a market validation strategy based on customer needs, pricing, culture, regulation, and competition.
• Receive insights through online lessons, invited speakers, and peer-to-peer learning.
• Matched with a business mentor for personalized guidance and input.
Phase 2
Develop Your Strategy
September - November
• Learn to define a successful market entry strategy and implementation roadmap.
• Supported by a regional mentor to navigate local market dynamics and validate your expansion strategy for the chosen market.
• Receive insights through online lessons, invited speakers, and peer-to-peer learning.
Who is it for?
Startups
Innovative, scalable, and high-impact companies based in the European Union.
Women-led
Founded, co-founded or led by a woman.
Growth stage
With recurring customers in at least one market and a scalable product, looking for support to build a strong go-to-market (GTM) strategy and take their first steps into a second European market.
Verticals
Urban Mobility, Food, Manufacturing, Climate, Digital, Culture & Creativity, and Energy.
Why choose Rocket Up to scale your tech venture across Europe?
• Tailored guidance for market entry in Europe, plus a concrete strategy and implementation plan
• Mentoring from business experts
• Assigned regional advisor for tailored advice
• Closing session at Slush, the world’s most founder-focused event in Helsinki, Finland
• Access to a curated community of experienced entrepreneurs
What Rocket Up alumni say
Call timeline
December 9, 2025
Call Opens
January 30, 2026 at 18:00 CET
Call Closes
February 12, 2026
Confirmation of shortlisted candidates (Round 1) notified
February 15 – March 5, 2026
Interviews for shortlisted candidates
Discover if you’re ready for Rocket Up
Read the Applicant Guide
Programme impact by the numbers
€0M
Capital raised by Rocket Up and Fundraising Support alumni
0
Startups supported from 25 countries
€0
Estimated savings per startup on market expansion costs
0/10
Average satisfaction score among our alumni
What is Fundraising Support?
Rocket Up participants actively fundraising are eligible for dedicated support alongside the programme. This includes:
• Personalized support to draft, execute and refine your investment strategy
• A combination of individual coaching and cohort-based support
• Visibility to investors as Supernovas’ curated investment opportunities
• Active help to liaise with investors and maximize success rate
• Public showcasing through Supernovas channels
• Eligible during the participation year and for 2 years after
Learn from Active Industry Professionals
Our speakers and mentors, who we’ve worked with in previous editions, are experienced business and regional experts ready to guide you through your international expansion journey. They share proven strategies they’ve successfully implemented themselves, helping you avoid pitfalls and accelerate your growth.
Kirra Pickering
Rocket Up Programme Lead
Mentors We’ve Worked With
Speakers From Past Editions
Mentors We’ve Worked With
Tom Mohrmann
Foodtech / Agritech
Pieter Aarts
SaaS / Energytech / Foodtech / AR / VR / Data
Clara Bartra
Foodtech / Agritech
Idoia Iturbe
Industry agnostic
Alina Bassi
Cleantech / Foodtech / Manufacturing / Textiles
Peter Van Harten
Manufacturing / Smart industry
Alix Armour
Circular economy / Mobility
Thijs Cloosterman
Mobility
Nathalie Dionne
Fashion / Manufacturing / Retail
Speakers From Past Editions
Matthijs Welle
CEO
Clare Jones
CEO
Nina Mannheimer
Founder / CPO
Sacha Michaud
Founder
Veronica Orvalho
Founder
Janneke Niesen
VC
Werner Decker
Partnerships Expert
Marc Aden Gray
Pitching & Delivery Expert
They’ve already made it happen thanks to Rocket Up. Now it’s your turn
It just focused on what mattered. We didn’t do the standard business plan. Instead, it was really about the tactics: how to go to market, what to look out for when comparing markets and internationalisation. I felt that was very helpful; it gave us useful pointers and strategies. The energy was great, and I loved the people.”
They’ve already made it happen thanks to Rocket Up. Now it’s your turn
”It just focused on what mattered. We didn’t do the standard business plan. Instead, it was really about the tactics: how to go to market, what to look out for when comparing markets and internationalisation. I felt that was very helpful; it gave us useful pointers and strategies. The energy was great, and I loved the people.”
Hear from Alumni
Cohort 2025
Cohort 2024
FAQ
What is Rocket Up?
A 6-month EIT Supernovas programme for women-founded tech startups to expand across the European market, offering tailored market insights, strategic mentoring, fundraising support, and access to high-level networks.
Who should apply?
Our programme is open to women-led startups that are ready to scale beyond their home markets. We are looking for teams with scalable solutions, real traction, and the drive to expand internationally. To be eligible, startups should have a woman founder or a woman CEO leading the team, consist of 5-30 full-time equivalent (FTE) team members, and have been incorporated after 31 December 2016 with official business registration. The solution should align with one of the EIT verticals – Urban Mobility, Food, Manufacturing, Climate, Digital, Culture & Creativity, or Energy – and be commercially active with product–market fit in the home market, generating at least €100k in revenue in 2025 (or equivalent) or showing strong revenue-based traction. Finally, the company must be registered and operate within an EU country.
What is included?
Personalised market selection support, tailored go-to-market strategy expertise, business and regional mentoring, access to EIT KIC networks and partners, connections with women founders, market contacts, enhanced visibility, ongoing guidance, a ticket to Slush – the world’s leading start-up event held every November in Helsinki, Finland, and fundraising support with personalized coaching, cohort support, curated investor visibility, active investor liaison, and promotion through Supernovas channels.
What is covered?
Selected participants will join this fully funded programme at no cost. Each start-up will receive one ticket to Slush 2026 in Helsinki, provided by EIT Supernovas. Please note that travel and accommodation expenses are not covered.
Participants must also meet the minimum completion requirements outlined in the attached Call Guidelines, which include the full terms and conditions.How is Rocket Up different?
It’s not just another accelerator. Rocket Up is a guided market-expansion programme that empowers women founders and CEOs to scale across Europe through a structured, personalised approach. Participants gain access to an expert network of experienced entrepreneurs who share real-world insights and lessons, helping you avoid the mistakes they’ve already made and accelerate your growth with confidence.
When does it start?
April–November 2026 (August: summer break), ending with Demo Day at Slush 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.
Can non-EU startups apply?
This programme is designed for startups from EU and Horizon Europe associated countries, so unfortunately non-EU startups are not eligible. Eligible startups receive full sponsorship through the EIT Supernovas Community, funded by the European Union.
Reference: List of eligible countries
What is an FTE?
A Full-Time Equivalent, meaning one person working full-time hours. In Rocket Up, FTEs do not need to be paid positions (e.g., full-time co-founders count).
Which networks are part of the EIT KICs?
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs): Climate-KIC, Digital, InnoEnergy, Health, RawMaterials, Food, Manufacturing, Urban Mobility, Culture & Creativity. Each of them connects startups to business, research, and education partners in their industry to address major societal challenges through innovation.
What markets are available?
Participants can choose any EU country, with guidance from the Rocket Up programme in Phase 1 to make an informed focus decision.
What are the application stages?
Submit your application, present your pitch and motivation in an online interview, and, if selected, join the programme through onboarding.
How much time is required to complete this programme?
Approximately 4 hours per week for 6 months. Most activities are online, with one in-person event at Slush 2026 in Helsinki, Finland. Travel and accommodation are at your own expense, but each startup receives one free ticket to Slush provided by EIT Supernovas.
How many startups have graduated from Rocket Up?
42 startups have completed the programme so far.
What’s the format?
Mostly online sessions and mentoring, with one mandatory in-person event in Helsinki.
What industries are eligible for Rocket Up?
Urban Mobility, Food, Manufacturing, Climate, Digital, Culture & Creativity, and Energy.
Still have questions?
If you still feel there is any question, please contact us here.