Rocket Up
The Rocket Up programme empowers women-led startups to scale across Europe through target market analysis support, business validation, and access to expert know-how.
Programme structure and contentGet notified when applications open
Participants of the programme can expect to spend around 4–5 hours per week from April to November on sessions,
mentoring, and assignments.
Phase 1Choose 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 2Develop 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 Europe or Horizon Europe companies with a proven product that is commercially active with at least 100k euros in revenue in the last 12 months with a proven product and has a team of minimum 5 FTE. This is a programme for startups with international ambitions wanting to work on a market by market GTM strategy and would like a structured approach, guidance and input from those who have ‘been there, done that’ and an accountability partner to fast track your strategy development & market entry steps.
Women-led
Founded, co-founded or led by a woman.
Verticals
Urban Mobility, Food, Climate, Digital, Culture & Creativity, Water and Energy
What can you expect from the Rocket Up programme to help you to scale your tech venture across Europe?
• Tailored guidance & resources for market entry in Europe, plus a concrete strategy and implementation plan
• Mentoring from Business Advisor to prepare your team for internationalisation readiness and guide target market selection
• Assigned regional advisor for tailored advice
• Assigned Regional Mentor for personalised advice for market validation and initial market entry steps for your segment and chosen geographical target market
• In person learning and networking opportunities at our Kick Off session (Barcelona) and Demo Day (Helsinki). Including a ticket to attend Slush; the world’s most founder-focused event.
What Rocket Up alumni say
2027
Call timeline
Call timeline
November 17, 2026
Calls for applications open
January 22, 2027 at 15:00 CET
Call for applications closes
February 1, 2027 at 12:00 CET
1st round application review
February 19, 2027 at 17:00 CET
2nd round applicant review
March 9-19, 2027
3rd round applicant review
March 26, 2027 at 17:00 CET
Communication of selected startups
April 9, 2027 at 17:00 CET
Participation contracts formalised
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
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 PickeringRocket Up Programme Lead
Mentors we’ve worked with
Mentors We’ve Worked With
Tom MohrmannFoodtech / Agritech
Pieter AartsSaaS / Energytech / Foodtech / AR / VR / Data
Clara BartraFoodtech / Agritech
Idoia IturbeIndustry agnostic
Alina BassiCleantech / Foodtech / Manufacturing / Textiles
Peter Van HartenManufacturing / Smart industry
Alix ArmourCircular economy / Mobility
Thijs CloostermanMobility
Nathalie DionneFashion / Manufacturing / Retail
Speakers From Past Editions
Matthijs Welle
Clare Jones
Nina Mannheimer
Sacha Michaud
Veronica Orvalho
Janneke Niesen
Werner Decker
Marc Aden Gray
Matthijs WelleCEO
Clare JonesCEO
Nina MannheimerFounder / CPO
Sacha MichaudFounder
Veronica OrvalhoFounder
Janneke NiesenVC
Werner DeckerPartnerships Expert
Marc Aden GrayPitching & 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.”
The program was incredibly well-structured and organized, providing us with a fresh, holistic perspective on market expansion. Entering a new market, especially your first, can be daunting. But having such an experienced team by your side transforms the experience.”
The program provided us with valuable insights into structuring our international expansion, especially for the Netherlands. We gained a deeper understanding of local market needs, cultural dynamics, and regulatory challenges while expanding our network with mentors and potential partners.”
”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 alumniFAQ
Cohort 2025
Cohort 2024
What is Rocket Up?
A 6-month EIT Supernovas programme for women-led 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 minimum 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) team members, and have been incorporated after 31 December 2017 with official business registration. The solution should align with one of the EIT verticals – Urban Mobility, Food, Climate, Digital, Culture & Creativity, Water or Energy – and be commercially active with product–market fit in the home market, generating at least €100k in revenue in 2026 (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 an invitation to apply for 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. Participants must however, meet the minimum completion requirements outlined in the attached Call Guidelines, which include the full terms and conditions, otherwise a penalty fee is applicable. Participants are provided with one ticket to Slush 2027 in Helsinki, provided by EIT Community Supernovas. Please note that travel and accommodation expenses are not covered and must be covered by the startup.
How is Rocket Up different?
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. The programme also provides founders with repeatable frameworks, templates and strategy insights to aid not only with current go to market planning but future ambitions as well for further growth.
When does it start?
April–November 2027 (August: summer break), starting with in person Kick Off Session in April in Barcelona, Spain & ending with in person Demo Day at Slush 2027 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 8 Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs): Climate-KIC, Digital, Energy, RawMaterials, Food, Urban Mobility, Culture & Creativity, Water. Each of them connects startups to business, research, and education partners in their industry to address major societal challenges through innovation. Health and wellness tech is excluded from this programme due to different complexities in expanding internationally.
Which target markets can participants choose from?
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 online, present your pitch and motivation in an online interview, and, if selected, join the programme through onboarding meeting/s.
How much time is required to complete this programme?
Approximately 4-5 hours per week between late April and mid November 2027.
How many startups have already graduated from Rocket Up?
57 startups have completed the programme so far
What is the format of the programme?
All activities are online, except for one day Kick Off session in person at Barcelona, Spain, and one in-person event the day before Slush 2027 in Helsinki, Finland. Travel and accommodation are at your own expense for both events. Mentoring also takes place online and is scheduled directly between the founder and mentor with shared availability. Online sessions are pre-planned and these dates & times can be found in the attached call guidelines.
Which industries are eligible for Rocket Up?
The solution should align with one of the EIT verticals:
- Urban Mobility (Sustainable transport, mobility, logistics and solutions for more liveable cities)
- Food (Agriculture, food production, nutrition, sustainable food systems and food waste)
- Climate (Climate action, decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience)
- Digital (AI, software, data, cybersecurity, edtech and digital technologies)
- Culture & Creativity (Arts, design, media, creative industries, heritage and creative technologies)
- Water (Water quality, scarcity, droughts, floods, circular water systems and the blue economy)
- Energy (Renewable energy, energy storage, grids, electrification and energy efficiency)
- Raw Materials (Critical materials, sustainable extraction, processing, recycling and material substitution)
Still have questions?
If you still feel there is any question, please contact us here.
