The Rocket Up Programme 2026, now in its fifth edition, continues to empower Europe’s most promising women-led startups to scale beyond borders.
Running from April to November 2026 and delivered fully online, the programme enables women founders and leaders to define their target markets, validate their internationalisation strategies, and build localised go-to-market plans. Participants gain access to tailored mentoring from Business Mentors and Regional Experts, a dynamic network of women founders and leaders, and dedicated fundraising guidance to strengthen their investment strategies and accelerate growth.
This year’s cohort brings together an outstanding group of innovators addressing some of Europe’s most pressing challenges. The selected startups span key EIT Community verticals, including Climate, Culture, Digital, Food, Manufacturing, and Mobility.
Climate
Coastruction (Netherlands), founded by Nadia Fani, is reimagining coastal protection through the development of sustainable, 3D-printed coral reefs that restore marine ecosystems while protecting shorelines from flooding and erosion. By combining circular materials with carbon capture, the company contributes to both biodiversity and climate resilience.
Sunphade (Norway), led by CEO Live Næss, is transforming building efficiency with its nano-thin solar control film. By reducing heat and glare while maintaining visibility, it significantly lowers energy consumption and enhances indoor comfort without complex installations.
Culture
The Fabricant (Netherlands), co-founded by Adriana Pereira, is pioneering digital fashion by reshaping how garments are designed through intelligent tools that simplify workflows and unlock creative potential.
Aiba (Norway), co-founded by CEO Hege Tokerud, combines AI with human moderation to create safer online communities. Its platform detects harmful behaviour early and enables fair and transparent decision-making across digital platforms.
ChatLicense (Netherlands), founded by Marjolein van Tilburg, equips children and families with the skills needed to navigate online environments safely. Positioned as a “driver’s license for the digital world,” it promotes digital wellbeing and strengthens intergenerational understanding.
Digital
Green Reporting (Poland), led by Anna Żurawiecka, streamlines sustainability compliance in global trade. Its SaaS platform enables companies to manage complex regulations such as CBAM reporting and Digital Product Passports, driving more informed and sustainable decision-making.
Food
MeNow (Israel), co-founded by Hilla Ben Hamo Arbel, leverages AI and molecular science to discover novel bioactive compounds for food, cosmetics, and health applications, bridging advanced biology with real-world use cases.
Yummate (Turkey), founded by Kadriye Çakaloğlu Bostan, offers plant-based, high-protein snacks that combine indulgent taste with nutritional value, redefining everyday snacking for modern consumers.
Kokomodo (Israel), led by co-founder Tal Govrin, produces real cacao through cellular agriculture – grown without a single tree – in clean, controlled environments that ensure a sustainable, traceable, and climate-resilient supply available year-round. Their cacao is naturally indulgent and rich in customizable bioactive compounds known to support antioxidant activity, energy, and healthy aging.
Manufacturing
Adapta Robotics (Romania), co-founded by Diana Baicu, designs adaptable automation solutions tailored to diverse industries, enabling organisations to optimise operations through practical and efficient robotics.
LAM’ON (Bulgaria), co-founded by Gergana Stancheva, produces compostable and recyclable laminating films and packaging materials, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics without compromising performance.
Planck Technologies (Norway), founded by Maryam Ghadrdan, specialises in advanced materials for energy storage, using AI and computational chemistry to accelerate innovation in sustainable energy systems.
Mobility
Geniel (Italy), led by CEO Cinzia Coppola, develops solutions to ensure the resilience of critical infrastructure through secure and reliable positioning, communication, and emergency response systems.
Optiyol (Turkey), co-founded by Tuba Gözbaşı, provides route optimisation software that improves logistics efficiency, reducing costs and emissions while enhancing delivery performance.
Pixii Motors (France), co-founded by Wafa Dhifi, is building an integrated mobility ecosystem that combines connected vehicles, fleet management software, and battery-swapping infrastructure to redefine urban transport.
A journey towards scale
Over the coming months, these startups will refine their international growth strategies, connect with investors, and unlock new opportunities across European markets.
The programme will conclude with an in-person session in Helsinki, held the day before Slush 2026. All participating startups will attend, gaining a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and further accelerate their scaling journeys.
Learn more about Rocket Up
Discover how Ksenia Duarte turned her Rocket Up journey into a 2025 success story
