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Closed

CEE Challenge 2026

Applications for the second round of CEE Challenge 2026 are closed and selection is in progress. Review eligibility, selection criteria and program details on the 2026 program page.

Applications closed

Applications Closed – Selection in Progress

Open CEE Challenge 2026
What selected teams get
Selected teams join the 2026 pitching track, take part in 1:1 meetings and compete for the published cash prizes.
Organized by
Deep Tech SummitPoland Innovative Foundation

Participation does not include or guarantee a paid pilot, grant, investment or procurement contract.

Eligible countries
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovakia
  • Hungary
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Belarus
  • Ukraine
  • Slovenia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Serbia
  • Montenegro
  • Kosovo
  • North Macedonia
  • Moldova
  • Albania
  • Bulgaria
  • Romania
  • Greece
  • Austria
Selection process

  1. 1. Formal and deep tech assessment

    The Organiser and Stage I Jury review submitted projects for formal completeness and assess whether they meet the deep tech criterion.

  2. 2. Finalist selection

    The Jury and Organiser evaluate eligible projects and select the finalists. They may request additional information.

  3. 3. Final presentations

    Finalists present during Deep Tech CEE Summit 2026 in Warsaw. The Jury selects the awarded projects.

2023–2025

CEE deep tech landscape

267 verified deep tech companies from 750+ applications, mapped across Central and Eastern Europe.

Startups invited to apply
5,000+
Startups in active contact
1,200+
Applications received
750+
Deep tech companies verified
267
Read the landscape
Deep Tech Applications by Edition
  1. 2023
    79 applications
  2. 2024
    101 applications
  3. 2025
    87 applications

Source: Deep Tech CEE Challenge data. Companies analysed: 267, verified as deep tech out of 750+ applications across the 2023–2025 editions.

What tracks can we run for you?

  • Corporate

    Technical or operational problems with a named company.

  • Mission

    Societal problems with an institutional counterparty.

  • Frontier

    High-potential opportunities at the edge of science and technology.

How participation works

  1. Explore the opportunities

    Browse open calls and proposed challenges.

  2. Review the call

    Each open call has its own problem brief, eligibility requirements, selection process, deadline and expected outcomes.

  3. Apply to an open call

    Submit your application through the route provided on that call.

  4. Follow the call-specific process

    The relevant brief and terms explain how applicants are assessed and what selected teams can expect.

Browse open calls

Who can participate

Each open call states who can apply, eligible countries or regions, organization or team requirements, relevant development stage, application deadline, selection criteria and what selected participants may receive.

For corporate partners

Turn your industry challenge into a deep tech opportunity

Bring us a technical or operational challenge your organization wants to solve. We take it from brief to partnership with you in three steps.

Discuss a challenge partnership

Partnership process

  1. Define the challenge

    We help shape it into a credible challenge brief.

  2. Engage innovators

    We explore how startups and researchers could respond.

  3. Explore partnership

    We discuss a partnership package aligned with your goals.

FAQ

Is a registered company required?

No. A Project may be submitted by a registered entity in a CEE country that is no more than six years old at the application date, or without a legal entity if the founder or at least one co-founder has their permanent place of residence in a CEE country. Applicants must have full capacity to perform acts in law and send a complete Application Form by the deadline.

What awards are given?

The Competition provides for Awards, Distinctions, and Special Awards. The list is updated on the 2026 Challenge page. Awards are presented to final Participants after Project presentations during Deep Tech CEE Summit 2026.

How does selection work?

The Competition has three stages. Stage I is a formal and content-related review against the deep tech criterion (scored 0 to 5). Stage II selects finalists. Stage III is presentations at Deep Tech CEE Summit 2026, where the Jury selects and awards the best Projects.

Applications Closed – Selection in Progress

Second application round closed on 2 October 2026.2026 terms and conditions