€10,000 AI Entrepreneurs Lab Founder Bootcamp

The AI Entrepreneurs Lab is a free five-day, in-person founder bootcamp run by 28DIGITAL under the EIT Community AI & Robotics, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Up to 15 Master's and PhD level founders spend a week in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam testing an AI or robotics venture idea against real customers, mentors and investors. It ends with a Demo Day where up to five teams win EUR 10,000 each to take the venture forward.

What you get:

• A place in a cohort of up to 15 applied AI and robotics founders
• Hands-on mentoring on customer discovery, commercial models, pitching and investor readiness
• Direct feedback and introductions from founders, startups, corporates and investors
• A chance at one of up to five EUR 10,000 prizes awarded at Demo Day
• Winners present at the EU Apply AI Summit in Brussels on 17 November 2026, subject to European Commission confirmation
• Travel and accommodation support for the Top 15 may be provided, subject to programme rules and budget

What you'll do:

• Days 1 and 2 in Paris: challenge your assumptions and work alongside experienced founders
• Day 3 in Brussels: turn an AI project into an AI venture, with trust and the EU AI Act as business value

• Master's or PhD students or graduates; bachelor's graduates may apply if they show exceptional founder potential
• Resident or established in an EU member state, or in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye or Ukraine
• Individuals or teams of up to two, applying in a personal capacity rather than for an employer or university
• An idea in a Deep AI or robotics domain, or a recently incorporated startup at pre-market launch stage
• No strict age limit; applicants up to 35 at the deadline are particularly encouraged
• Application form, one CV per team member and a short creative presentation of the idea
• Full attendance at the five-day in-person bootcamp is expected
• One application per person