EIT Water WAVEMAKER Baltics 2026 offers early-stage innovators a pathway to the European stageEIT Water WAVEMAKER Baltics 2026 is calling on early-stage startups, spin-outs and student ventures developing innovative solutions across the water, marine and maritime sectors.The initiative offers emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their solutions, gain visibility and connect with industry leaders, investors, mentors and innovation ecosystem partners from across Europe. The WAVEMAKER Baltics 2026 Regional Final will take place on 26 September 2026 in Klaipėda, Lithuania, in partnership with Portathon 2026. Five selected regional finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions in Klaipėda, with each finalist eligible to receive up to €200 in support to help them attend the regional final. The three best pitches will each receive a free one-year EIT Water membership for 2027, providing an opportunity to become more closely connected to EIT Water’s growing European innovation community. The overall regional winner will take the next step and compete at the European WAVEMAKER Business Creation Award Final, taking place during the EIT Water Launch Event in Málaga, Spain, on 15 October 2026. There, regional winners will compete for a €5,000 award and the opportunity to showcase their solutions on a European stage. WAVEMAKER Baltics is more than a pitching competition. It provides promising ventures with an opportunity to test their ideas in front of experts, strengthen their networks, gain valuable exposure and explore potential partnerships that can help move their solutions closer to the market. Key dates and opportunities:
EIT Water is Europe’s innovation community for water, marine and maritime systems, connecting regional ecosystems and supporting entrepreneurs and innovators in developing and scaling solutions to some of Europe’s most pressing water-related challenges. The application deadline for EIT Water WAVEMAKER Baltics 2026 was extended until 7 September 2026.  |
