Apply today for EPoSS and PEOMS Start-up Awards!

Who is eligible?

• European start-up companies founded after January 1, 2022 with innovative business idea, product or service and high growth potential
• Early or mature stages of development, concepts, ideas or business cases
• Related to Smart Systems technologies for different application areas, such as manufacturing technologies, energy, mobility, flexible electronics, wearables, food, agriculture or medical technology.

How do I apply?

Please find the detailed application guidelines and the EPoSS Start-up Award Outline in the download section below. Applications must be submitted to the EPoSS office via contact@smart-systems-integration.org by May 8, 2026. (Portugal-based applicants seeking to apply for the POEMS start-up award as well, please see the following info box.)

Finally, if you are invited: Pitch for the Award!

• Pitch with a maximum ten-slide PowerPoint presentation and showcase your product in front of a jury consisting of EPoSS senior experts from industry and research as well as national funding organisers.
• The jury will assume the role of a potential business partner interviewing  you and selecting the most innovative and promising ideas.
• The award will be handed over during the official EPoSS evening dinner.

Good luck! And if you have questions, please contact the EPoSS office via contact@smart-systems-integration.org.

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The POEMS Startup Award targets innovative start-ups from Portugal developing activities within semiconductor-related areas, including technology- and design-driven solutions. The award aims to highlight high-potential ventures and connect them with the national and European semiconductor ecosystem, in alignment with the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the activities of the POEMS Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors.

Who is eligible?

• Portuguese start-ups legally established in Portugal and founded after January 1, 2022, with an innovative business idea, product or service and strong growth potential.
• Applicants may be at early or mature stages of development (including concepts, ideas, or business cases).
• Activities must be clearly linked to semiconductor-related areas (e.g. chip design, advanced packaging, semiconductor materials, devices, or enabling software and hardware design tools), including design-based start-ups relying on semiconductor-enabled systems or components.

Your benefits

The winner of the POEMS Startup Award will receive a €2,500 voucher, redeemable for a range of services available within the POEMS portfolio, including:

• Access to strategic networking events
• Consultancy hours covering technology, business, and funding advisory support

In addition, the winner will benefit from enhanced visibility through POEMS communication channels and will be invited to join the POEMS start-up community, gaining privileged access to the European Network of Chips Competence Centres (ENCCC).

How to apply

The application requirements are the same as for the EPoSS award, see info box above.  Find the detailed application guidelines in the download section below. For your application to be considered for the POEMS Startup Award, please put the email poems@poemscentre.eu in CC and submit your application by May 8, 2026.

Finally, if you are invited: Pitch for the Award!

• Pitch with a maximum ten-slide PowerPoint presentation and showcase your product in front of a jury consisting of EPoSS and POEMS senior experts from industry and research as well as national funding organisers.
• The jury will assume the role of a potential business partner interviewing  you and selecting the most innovative and promising ideas.
• The award will be handed over during the official EPoSS evening dinner.

Good luck! And if you have questions, please contact the EPoSS office via contact@smart-systems-integration.org or the POEMS Coordination Team at poems@poemscentre.eu.