Scale in Europe. Access Real Markets. Join the Top AI Network.
Are you building Europe’s next AI breakthrough business?
AI Launchpad is designed for AI founders grounded in cutting-edge research and ready to scale. We unite the continent’s top AI hubs through one coordinated platform — powered by Rise Europe and backed by ELIAS — giving you unparalleled access to local markets, networks, and support across Europe’s strongest startup ecosystems.
How Does It Work?
AI Launchpad in 3 Steps
Why Us?
Participate in either the Spring or Fall season, visiting a European AI hub for a curated 1–2 week program designed to match your market goals and maturity.
01
Seasonal Startup Mobility
AI Launchpad is supported by ELIAS and coordinated by Rise Europe — bringing together Europe’s most dynamic AI startup ecosystems under one trusted framework.
02
Trusted by Europe’s Best
Rather than a single accelerator, this is a decentralized mobility network. You apply via a local facilitator and move across hubs with shared purpose and aligned timing.
03
Not a Batch Program — A Network
Get matched with investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders. Join targeted sessions before and after your visit to maximize impact.
04
Curated Coaching & Connections
Our AI Experts and Entrepreneurs
Dr. Luisine Abrahamyan
Co-founder and CTO BeVi AI Startup
Morteza Amini
CEO and Co-Founder SciPub+
Dr. Matthias Bethge
Director Tübingen AI Center
Dr. Isabell Claus
Co-Founder thinkers.ai
Prof. Dr. Menna El-Assady
Assistant Professor ETH Zurich
Melanie Gabriel
Co-Founder Yokoy
Manuel Grenacher
CEO and Co-Founder Unique
Simeon Harrison
AI Supercomputing Trainer
Dr. Christopher Hartland
European Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson
Stephan Hofmann
CEO Minimist
Adam Jafer
Founder Voi Technology
Hedvig Kjellström
Professor, KTH
Jan Willem Kleinrouweler
Head of ML Engineering at appliedAI Institute for Europe
Sven J. Koerner
Founder thingsTHINKING
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krause
Professor at ETH Zurich
Prof. Dr. Georg Langs
Professor at Medical University of Vienna
Anna Kazakova Lindegren
AI Technical Specialist at IBM
Dr. Mikkel Marfelt
Advisor & Mentor DTU
Hannes Eder Öhrström
Business Development Coach KTH
Prof. Dr. Giorgia Ramponi
Assistant Professor UZH
Ted Schönbeck
Nordic CTO of Google Cloud
Taylor Peer
Founder Beat Shaper
Dr. Stefan Tuchschmid
CEO and Co-Founder Scanvio
Dr. Thomas Vain
Digital Lab Manager DTU
Clemens Wasner
CEO and Founder EnliteAI
Our Program
Visiting Hub Program. Rolling Admissions. Seasonal Mobility.
Unlike traditional accelerator cohorts, AI Launchpad works on a season-based model tied to local hub calendars. Each season connects trusted startups with new markets at the right moment — no rigid batch timelines.
Each Spring and Fall, selected startups visit one of ten top-tier European AI hubs for an approx. 2-week program. These visits are designed to connect you with the people, knowledge, and resources that accelerate your next strategic step — whether it's market entry, fundraising, or building a local partner base.
Current Season
Fall 2025
Visiting Hub Engagements:
Nominations Due:
Pre-visit Workshops:
October–December 2025
August 30, 2025
September 2025
Are you eligible?
Completing/ed higher education at a European University.
Teams of 2-4 entrepreneurial students/researchers.
Developed AI, now ready to go to market to test and sell.
Goal: Scale a VC-fundable start-up with European/global impact.