Applications are open for the 9th Eureka International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Eureka IIEC 2026), a global platform for entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, and innovators seeking to develop their ideas, connect with industry experts, and explore international opportunities.

Jointly organised by Eureka Technology Innovation & Investment (Eureka TechIN) and the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM), with support from the Eureka International Group, the competition aims to strengthen collaboration, accelerate innovation, and help promising ideas move towards practical implementation.

The competition will bring participants into an international innovation ecosystem where they can present their projects, receive expert feedback, establish valuable connections, and compete for a total prize fund of €27,500.

About the Competition

Taking place in Zagreb, Croatia, Eureka IIEC 2026 provides a platform for individuals and teams with business ideas and innovative projects to showcase their work to an international audience.

The competition is designed for innovators at different stages of development, including those refining an early-stage idea and those working towards building a startup or expanding an existing solution. Through expert engagement and international networking, participants can gain insights to help them assess their ideas' potential and identify opportunities for further development.

Beyond the competition itself, Eureka IIEC seeks to encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and support innovation-driven growth.

Thematic Areas

Applicants can submit ideas and projects addressing challenges in the following eight thematic areas:

• Green and renewable energy
• Smart production
• Health technologies
• Biotechnology and bioengineering
• Innovations in the agri-food sector
• Digital technologies
• Artificial intelligence and computing infrastructure
• Data centres

These areas reflect important developments across technology, industry, sustainability, and scientific innovation. Applicants are encouraged to present solutions that address relevant challenges and demonstrate potential for practical application.

Prize Fund

The competition offers a total prize fund of €27,500, distributed across the top three positions as follows:

• First place: €10,000 for one team.
• Second place: €5,000 for each of two teams.
• Third place: €2,500 for each of three teams.

The prizes provide an opportunity for successful teams to gain financial recognition for their innovative ideas and support their next steps.

Competition Timeline

• Application deadline: 19 October 2026.
• Semi-finals: 26–27 October 2026.
• Grand final: 17 November 2026, in Zagreb, Croatia.

Applicants should consult the official competition information for the applicable submission arrangements and any additional requirements for participation in the semi-finals and final.

Applicants are encouraged to present their ideas clearly, explain the problem their innovation seeks to address, and demonstrate its potential value and future development opportunities.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 19 October 2026.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity.