Accelerator 2026

Innovate Accelerator 2026

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Applications Open for Innovate Accelerator: From an Innovative Product to International Markets, Partners and Investors

City of Split and Technology Park Split are launching Innovate Accelerator 2026, a programme designed to support the development and international growth of innovative technology and deep-tech businesses.

This intensive six-week acceleration programme is implemented in cooperation with international partner Tenity and is intended for entrepreneurs and startups that already have a developed product and want to accelerate sales, open doors to corporate partnerships and prepare for investment.

7 entrepreneurs will be selected for the first cohort of the Innovate Accelerator.

Who is the programme for?

Innovate Accelerator is intended for small business entities developing innovative products, services or technological solutions with international commercialisation potential.

The programme particularly welcomes entrepreneurs and startups developing technologically advanced solutions, with a clearly identified market application and readiness to take the next step towards pilot projects, first or new customers, international markets and investment.

The target technology readiness level is TRL 6–9, meaning a comparable level of product and market validation for digital products and services. Exceptionally, a solution at TRL 5 may be selected if its technology has been validated in a relevant environment and the team has a convincing plan for further validation, piloting or commercialisation.

Eligible applicants are entrepreneurs (micro and small enterprises) with their registered office in the City of Split. Other entrepreneurs may also apply if they intend to relocate or establish a business entity with its registered office in Split within 30 days of entering the programme.

Participants will be evaluated particularly on:

• technological innovation and the competitive advantage of the solution;
• level of technological and market validation;
• quality and capabilities of the team;
• product or technology maturity;
• clarity of the go-to-market approach and understanding of the target customer;
• readiness for a pilot project or cooperation with a potential customer;
• international growth and scaling potential, as well as investment readiness;
• the team’s motivation and readiness to actively participate in the programme.

About the programme

The programme focuses not on theory, but on concrete business results – new contacts, pilot projects, potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

Innovate Accelerator is delivered in a hybrid format, from the end of October to mid-December 2026. Participants will take part in two intensive two-day in-person bootcamps at Technology Park Split, combined with individual work with the Tenity team and online activities throughout the programme.

Each participant will undergo an individual analysis of their business goals, market and potential customers, followed by focused work on:

• structuring pilot projects;
• B2B sales;
• entering new markets;
• investment readiness;
• pitching and presenting to investors.

A key value of the programme is access to Tenity’s international network, connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, corporations and innovation partners across Europe and other markets.

A total of at least 35 targeted business, investment and mentoring connections is planned for the entire cohort, tailored to the needs of each individual entrepreneur.

During the programme, participants will also work on concrete business opportunities – from the first contact with a potential corporate partner to defining a pilot, PoC or letter of intent. The programme also includes investment preparation, connections with investors and individual feedback for each team.

The programme is delivered in English.

International support – Tenity

The programme is jointly delivered by Technology Park Split and Tenity, an international innovation and venture capital platform with hubs in Zurich, London, Singapore, Madrid, Istanbul and Tallinn, with more than 100 corporate innovation programmes and hundreds of collaborations between startups and corporations.

Tenity is an international innovation and investment platform that brings together two key models within one ecosystem – Open Innovation and Venture Capital.

Through Open Innovation, Tenity connects entrepreneurs and startups with corporations, markets and concrete business opportunities, while its venture capital investments provide access to capital and the investment ecosystem.

This combination enables entrepreneurs and startups not only to work on product development, but also to build market relationships, develop pilot projects and prepare for the next stages of growth and financing.

Continuous support

Following the six-week programme, TPS will continue working with the selected entrepreneurs in the accelerator according to their individual development plans.

Support includes:

• thematic training sessions and workshops, including tailored content based on participants’ needs;
• individual mentoring from external experts from the TPS mentor network;
• organisation of networking events and meetings with investors;
• international networking and promotion at international conferences through joint representation of accelerator programme participants;
• information on funding opportunities and support in planning the next development and commercial steps;
• access to relevant training sessions and other programme activities organised by TPS for startups and entrepreneurs;
• the possibility of using office space at TPS or a coworking space, subject to available capacity and the applicable TPS rules.

Support may last for up to three years from entering the Innovate Accelerator, including the introductory programme. The scope of support during this period depends on the progress of the entrepreneur or startup, active participation, programme conditions and the resources available to TPS.

Mandatory requirements for the startup/entrepreneur

• the product or technology already exists and can be demonstrated;
• there is a clear B2B or other commercial use case;
• at least one founder or decision-making representative participates in the programme;
• the participant commits to attending both two-day in-person sessions in Split (10–11 November and 24–25 November);
• the participant has the capacity to actively participate throughout all six weeks.

Following the administrative review, the applications received will be evaluated by TPS and Tenity according to the stated criteria, and seven programme participants will be selected.

Applications

Applications are open until 23 October.

The application form is available at the following link .

The programme is implemented as part of Technology Park Split. Its financing is provided through the City of Split’s Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme for the period 2024–2030.