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Startup funding this week: international, 5 Oct 2026

This week's startup funding for international: 12 new programs and 10 closing in the next 14 days.

This week at a glance

International startup founders have 12 newly announced opportunities and 10 closing deadlines to explore right now. These active calls span competitive innovation prizes, early-stage incubators, and research grants across multiple industries. Whether you are developing sustainable technologies or preparing a consumer business plan, this selection connects you with structured support and essential capital to help your venture grow.

Use this curated weekly summary to browse available funding calls and target the best fit for your team. Review the eligibility terms and stage requirements carefully for each listing. Once you identify a promising opportunity, explore the specific program details to prepare your submission before upcoming applications close.

New this week

Santander X Explorer lists no deadline. Early-stage founders in 13 countries can join this free 12-week entrepreneurship pre-incubation training program. It helps participants validate their concepts and develop them into viable projects.

Innovationspreis der deutschen Mobilitätswirtschaft lists no deadline. This honorary award recognizes outstanding products, projects, and designs across the mobility and logistics sectors. Winners are celebrated at the German Mobility Congress in Frankfurt am Main.

Businessplan-Wettbewerb Berlin-Brandenburg (BPW) closes on 10 November 2026. Regional founders in Berlin and Brandenburg receive expert feedback on their business concepts across three structured phases. Participants also compete for cash prizes of up to 20000.0 EUR.

DigiRess Circular closes on 15 December 2026. This German federal funding grant supports enterprises, municipal institutions, and startups developing digital solutions. It focuses on advancing resource efficiency and the circular economy.

Global Startup Program of WMF 2027 lists no deadline. International founders gain access to the Startup District at BolognaFiere to hold B2B meetings and pitch to global investors. The opportunity provides networking access and educational sessions.

2027 Global Climate Challenge closes on 2 November 2026. Tech-based ventures addressing climate adaptation and decarbonization in food or living systems can apply. Selected teams receive a 10000.0 USD grant, access to pooled prize funding, and a nine-month support program.

iF DESIGN AWARD 2027 closes on 4 November 2026. Designers and companies gain international recognition across disciplines including product, packaging, branding, interior architecture, and UI/UX. Selected winners receive juror feedback and an invitation to the Winners Gala in Berlin.

1066 Business Awards 2027 closes on 20 November 2026. Businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs across Hastings and Rother in East Sussex receive public recognition and an engraved award. The event offers local networking opportunities.

The Awards 2027 - Green Product Award & Green Concept Award closes on 17 January 2027. Sustainable products, services, and concepts across fourteen categories receive award seals and jury feedback. Entrants also gain public visibility through voting and publications.

Startups 100 Index 2027 closes on 9 October 2026. UK businesses founded within the last five years can secure a place in this annual index of promising new ventures. Listed companies gain brand visibility and exposure to investors, partners, and customers.

IdeaUP! The Ideas Competition closes on 10 December 2026. Innovative concepts ranging from early ideas to market-ready ventures can enter this annual competition. Winners receive prizes selected from a prize pool, including a dedicated EdTech award.

CfI: Engineering Biology for Defra and FSA Phase 1 closes on 14 October 2026. UK-based organisations can secure Phase 1 feasibility R&D contracts of up to 200000.0 GBP inclusive of VAT. The call supports engineering biology solutions addressing Defra and FSA societal challenges.

Closing in the next 14 days

Advanced Manufacturing: Measurement and Sensing Pilot closes on 7 October 2026. UK registered SMEs developing measurement, instrumentation, or sensing technologies can apply for this 9-month pilot. It delivers up to 80,420 GBP in total support, including a 75000.0 GBP grant and business connect services.

Full ADOPT Grant: Round 9 closes on 7 October 2026. Collaborative on-farm trial and demonstration projects in England can secure grant funding between 50,000 GBP and 200000.0 GBP. It tests innovative solutions for agriculture, horticulture, or agro-forestry challenges.

America's Startup closes on 8 October 2026. Undergraduate students across the United States can join this national collegiate startup competition. Finalists receive non-dilutive grant funding up to 50000.0 USD, investor mentorship, and national visibility.

Retail Boot Camp (RBC) closes on 8 October 2026. Retail, e-commerce, and brick-and-mortar entrepreneurs based in or launching in Wayne County, Michigan, receive intensive retail training and coaching. Participants also gain the opportunity to pitch for kickstart awards.

Transnational Eureka Lightweighting Call – 2026 closes on 8 October 2026. International consortia can access public R&D grant funding up to 750000.0 EUR for cross-border projects. The funding targets lightweighting design, advanced materials, and circular manufacturing across mobility, construction, and energy.

Innovation Loans Expression of Interest closes on 9 October 2026. UK registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises can access innovation loans between 100,000 GBP and 5000000.0 GBP. Funding supports late-stage R&D and pre-commercialisation projects aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy.

Startups 100 Index 2027 closes on 9 October 2026. UK businesses founded within the last five years can secure a place in this annual index of promising new ventures. Listed companies gain brand visibility and exposure to investors, partners, and customers.

Startup Competition Sikorsky Challenge 2026 closes on 10 October 2026. Ukrainian and international innovators working in deep tech, defense, energy, healthcare, and agritech receive training and pitch opportunities. Finalists can win cash awards or secure investor interest.

ESA BIC North Rhine-Westphalia closes on 11 October 2026. Early-stage founders and companies with a space connection can join this incubation program. Participating teams must be headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Funkenwerk Award closes on 11 October 2026. Students, researchers, and startup teams affiliated with universities in Bavarian Swabia can pitch live for coaching, mentorship, and non-cash prizes worth up to 1000.0 EUR per winner.

Everything closing soon is on the closing soon page.

By the numbers

The getfund catalog currently lists 265 open opportunities for startup founders across the globe. Competitions form the largest category with 89 available listings, followed closely by 76 grants for non-dilutive research and project financing. Founders looking for structured growth can explore 52 accelerators and 11 incubators. Additionally, 30 specialized support programs and 7 industry events are currently accepting applications.

Browse the hubs: Grants: United States, Grants: United Kingdom, Grants: Germany, Grants: Global, Competitions: United States, Competitions: United Kingdom, Competitions: Germany, Competitions: Global, Accelerators: United States, Accelerators: United Kingdom, Accelerators: Germany, Accelerators: Global.

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Frequently asked questions
How many total programs are currently available on getfund?
Founders can explore a total of 265 open programs in the catalog. This includes 76 grants, 89 competitions, 52 accelerators, 11 incubators, 30 programs, and 7 events across various regions and industries.
Which funding opportunities have the earliest deadlines in this digest?
The earliest deadlines include the Advanced Manufacturing Measurement and Sensing Pilot and the Full ADOPT Grant Round 9, both set for 2026-10-07. Several others follow immediately on 2026-10-08 and 2026-10-09.
How should founders verify specific eligibility criteria before applying?
You should open the dedicated getfund program page and visit the official website link provided there. Reviewing the official documentation ensures you meet all regional, structural, and stage requirements before submitting.