10 startup programs worth your time this week, picked from 730 open programs and ranked by funder track record and terms.
This week's picks
Hello Tomorrow Challenge
Hello Tomorrow
Global deep tech innovators connect with corporate partners and investors through this competition. Finalists pitch at the summit, where the grand winner secures a 200000 EUR equity investment.
NOSTRADAMUS - Open Call #1: Funding Digital Applications for Sustainable and Efficient Agriculture
European Commission / Nostradamus Consortium
Small enterprises and startups receive up to 50000 EUR in equity-free grant funding for open-source digital agriculture tools. Selected participants join a 12-month program with pilot site demonstrations across Europe.
Techstars New York City Accelerator
Techstars
This three-month hybrid accelerator invests 220000 USD in early-stage startups across sectors like artificial intelligence, software, fintech, climate and healthcare.
Designed as a six-week program, this initiative helps creators bring an early concept to life from idea stage to a working first version.
Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads (SWAP)-USV Sprint 2
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Vendors competing in this prize challenge can access up to 40000000 USD for production-ready unmanned surface vessels. Solutions focus on maritime air defense with potential follow-on prototype agreements.
SET Award 2027
Start Up Energy Transition (SET)
Energy and climate tech ventures founded in 2016 or later can win equity-free prize funding of 10000 EUR. Finalists also earn a travel package to Berlin to pitch investors.
Small business consortia registered in the United Kingdom can secure up to 200000 GBP in equity-free grant support. Funding assists feasibility studies for artificial intelligence and machine learning in decision-critical systems.
Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT)
US Department of Energy - Golden Field Office
This federal program awards grants ranging from 2000000 USD to 20000000 USD. The funds support research, scaling and pre-pilot testing of chemical technologies using waste feedstocks.
SME Market Expansion Open Call 2027
EIT Urban Mobility
Urban mobility small businesses with an existing client can expand into new territories with a 60000 EUR lump-sum grant. The opportunity targets shared transit, logistics, electrification and mobility data.
Open Call for New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark)
EIT Culture & Creativity
Early-stage founders working on tech concepts in fashion, architecture and materials obtain up to 30000 EUR in financial backing. The opportunity includes a sprint and a nine-month incubation experience.
How these were chosen
We checked 730 open programs in the getfund catalog. A program makes the list only when its deadline is confirmed and between a week and two months away, or when it is a rolling call verified in the last two weeks, and only when we verified it recently. Programs that closed, are no longer verified, charge a fee, are loans or carry no startup stage are left out. What remains is ranked by the funder's track record, the size of the award and whether it asks for equity, with a small boost for accelerators, incubators and competitions. Programs that appeared in the last three weekly lists score lower, so the list rotates from week to week. We aim to keep at least three programs open to founders in Türkiye and three open to founders abroad. Always read the official page before you apply.
By the numbers
The platform currently tracks 730 open opportunities for startup teams. Across the entire database, founders can explore 274 grants, 186 competitions, 123 accelerators, 98 programs, 37 incubators and 12 events. This week features 10 selected picks, including 6 opportunities open to founders in Turkey and 9 welcoming international applicants.
Browse the hubs: Grants: Türkiye, Grants: Global, Competitions: Türkiye, Competitions: Global, Accelerators: Türkiye, Accelerators: Global.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of startup programs are featured on getfund?
- The platform features grants, competitions, accelerators, incubators, general support programs and events. Currently, there are 274 grants, 186 competitions, 123 accelerators, 98 programs, 37 incubators and 12 events available across the catalog. These opportunities offer various benefits, including non-dilutive capital, equity investments, pilot testing, and structured venture incubation.
- Why are specific programs included in the weekly pick list?
- Programs are selected based on their benefits, tier ranking, and alignment with founder needs. High-value grants, top accelerators, equity-free prize competitions, and programs with imminent closing dates are highlighted. The curated set balances international accessibility with local relevance for diverse technology sectors.
- How should founders verify program details before applying?
- Founders should start by opening the specific program page on getfund to review the summary, benefit amounts and core focus areas. After checking this overview, founders must visit the official link provided on the page to confirm all eligibility rules, required documentation, and submission procedures directly from the organizing institution.
Sources
- Hello Tomorrow official page
- European Commission / Nostradamus Consortium official page
- Techstars official page
- launchspace official page
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) official page
- Start Up Energy Transition (SET) official page
- Innovate UK official page
- US Department of Energy - Golden Field Office official page
- EIT Urban Mobility official page
- EIT Culture & Creativity official page
Logos and program names belong to their owners; getfund is an independent guide.