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Challenge catalogue

CEE Challenge 2026

Applications for the second round of CEE Challenge 2026 are now open. Review the full brief for eligibility requirements, selection criteria and programme details.

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

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 and 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.

Apply to this call

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, organisation 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 organisation wants to solve. We’ll help shape it into a credible challenge brief, explore how startups and researchers could respond, and discuss a partnership package aligned with your goals.

Discuss a challenge partnership

  1. Define the challenge

  2. Engage innovators

  3. Explore partnership

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.

Apply to the 2026 open call

Second application round closes 30 September 2026.2026 terms and conditions