28DIGITAL
28DIGITAL is a Brussels-based non-profit open innovation ecosystem operator that funds, accelerates, and educates European digital startups and researchers through 23 pan-European offices, a Silicon Valley hub, and 350+ partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 28DIGITAL does
28DIGITAL is a Brussels-headquartered, Belgian-domiciled non-profit open innovation organisation founded in 2010 (originally as EIT ICT Labs, then EIT Digital, and rebranded to 28DIGITAL in October 2025 upon completing its 15-year cycle as a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology). It operates Europe's largest open innovation ecosystem, running 23 offices across Europe plus a Silicon Valley hub, a network of 350+ corporate, academic, and investor partners, and an equity portfolio of 300+ companies, having received cumulative EIT funding of €1.1 billion over its history.
Its core platform is the pan-European innovation ecosystem organised around three divisions: Knowledge (Master School with 22 universities, Summer School, Professional School, and self-paced courses on Coursera covering Generative AI Essentials, FinTech, and related topics), Market (acceleration programmes such as Speed Master, Sports Master, SPIN: Rise, SpeedTech, Venture Incubation Program, Mentor Me, Champions, and the Open Innovation Factory matching platform), and Investments (5% SAFE-equity venture incubation plus €5,000 growth and €25,000 final prizes, and Access to Finance support for Series A/B rounds). The underlying technology layer is the curated Open Innovation Factory matching platform, which evaluates startups on excellence, impact, and execution and routes them to programmes, corporate partners, and EU funding instruments. Centralised coordination of EU co-funded projects under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe (e.g., the €3.79M UNITE digital health programme) functions as a structural backbone.
Revenue mechanics are dominated by EIT/EU programme funding, supplemented by paid executive education (Sports Master €790–€1,900, Scale Smart €4,000–€8,000 per participant), corporate scouting commissions (e.g., the European Insurance Group climate-risk project), and equity stakes taken in incubated ventures via SAFEs. Most programmes remain free or subsidised for EIT-affiliated companies. The go-to-market is multi-modal: enterprise field sales to corporates, event/programme-driven demand generation, and channel partnerships through 22 universities and specialised entities (EPSI, EBAN Sports, PoliMi, FBK, SIBB, IE University). Customer segments span startups, researchers/academics, corporates/SMEs, students/professionals, and EU consortium partners.
28DIGITAL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 28DIGITAL
- Legal name
- 28DIGITAL
- Website
- https://28digital.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- 28DIGITAL is a Brussels-based non-profit open innovation ecosystem operator that funds, accelerates, and educates European digital startups and researchers through 23 pan-European offices, a Silicon Valley hub, and 350+ partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
28DIGITAL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG)
Keywords
Where 28DIGITAL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brussels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices13 records
Markets served
28DIGITAL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- EIT Funding: As a former Knowledge and Innovation Community of EIT, received €1.1 billion in funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Now operates independently while maintaining collaboration under Memorandum of Cooperation.
- EU Programme Management: Coordinates EU co-funded projects including Horizon Europe collaborations, managing project budgets and consortium partnerships
- Professional Education Programmes: Revenue from paid executive education programmes including Speed Master, Sports Master, Scale Smart, and SpeedTech. Scale Smart generates €8,000 per non-EIT company and €4,000 per EIT-supported company.
- Venture Programme Services: Venture Incubation Program takes 5% equity through SAFE agreements. Provides €5,000 Growth Package and up to €25,000 Final Prize to selected ventures.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Speed Master - 16-hour online programme for startup founders |
| Subscription | One time | Sports Master - 16-hour executive course for sports tech entrepreneurs |
| Subscription | One time | Scale Smart - 10-week US market entry programme |
| Other | One time | Venture Incubation Program - Two-stage startup support |
| Freemium | One time | SpeedTech - 6-week open innovation programme for Italian SMEs |
| Freemium | One time | SPIN: Explore - 9-hour online research commercialisation programme |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
28DIGITAL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
28DIGITAL operates Europe's largest open innovation ecosystem, connecting startups, corporates, universities, and investors through three service divisions: Knowledge (Master School, Summer School, Professional School for tech and entrepreneurship education), Market (acceleration programmes including Speed Master, Sports Master, SpeedTech, Scale Smart, Venture Incubation Program, Mentor Me, Open Innovation Factory matching platform), and Investments (venture building and equity support through SAFE agreements). The organization runs 23 European offices plus a Silicon Valley hub and coordinates EU-funded projects under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe.
Product overview
28DIGITAL operates as Europe's largest open innovation ecosystem, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs across three divisions: Knowledge, Market, and Investments. The Knowledge division includes the Master School, Summer School, and Professional School (offering programs like Generative AI Essentials) for education and skills development. The Market division encompasses acceleration programs including Speed Master, Sports Master, SpeedTech, Venture Incubation Program, Mentor Me, Access to Finance, Champions competition, and the Open Innovation Factory matching platform. The Investments division focuses on venture building and funding support. Additional programs include SPIN (Explore and Rise) for researcher commercialization, and Scale Smart for US market entry. Self-Paced Online Courses are delivered through Coursera in partnership with 20+ European universities. The organization supports early-stage ventures from idea validation through Series A/B funding, with specific programs for sports tech, deep tech, and corporate training segments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Master School Joint tech Master's programmes involving nearly 20 universities, offering degrees in areas such as FinTech for Business, training digital innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.
- Summer School Summer programme for students and early-career participants to learn how to develop tech business ideas and build entrepreneurial skills.
- Professional School Professional training programmes including Generative AI Essentials, designed to equip professionals with skills to drive digital transformation in companies.
- Speed Master
- Sports Master
- SPIN: Explore
- SPIN: Rise
- SpeedTech
- Venture Incubation Program
- Mentor Me
- Access to Finance
- Champions
- Open Innovation Factory
- Scale Smart
- Self-Paced Online Courses
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported scaleups raised over €50 million in Series A funding in single year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 28DIGITAL
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
28DIGITAL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature2 records
28DIGITAL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CARDIO-HUBcoreOne of three first joint interregional digital health projects under UNITE programme coordinated by 28DIGITAL. Focused on cross-border health data sharing. Total UNITE budget €3,788,000 for three projects entering implementation spring 2026.
- NEODATA+coreSelected as one of three first UNITE digital health projects coordinated by 28DIGITAL under Horizon Europe. Addresses digital health solutions scaling across European regions.
- RAD-TRACK EUcoreOne of three inaugural UNITE programme projects coordinated by 28DIGITAL. Focused on personalized remote care and cross-border health data sharing.
- EntopyminorEntopy won the TIM Smart Infrastructure Challenge recognized by 28DIGITAL partnership. Entopy's Decision Intelligence platform uses Digital Twin technology and AI for operational data interpretation.
- STMicroelectronicscoreCorporate partner in 28DIGITAL's 350+ partner ecosystem. Partner in Strategic Domains for deep tech innovation and startup support.
- RaiffeisencoreCorporate partner in 28DIGITAL's ecosystem supporting financial sector innovation and startup scaling.
- EurobankcoreCorporate partner contributing to 28DIGITAL's innovation ecosystem in Southern and Eastern Europe.
- Women4CyberminorIndustry group partner supporting cybersecurity talent development and diversity initiatives within the ecosystem.
- European Green Digital CoalitionminorIndustry initiative partner collaborating on sustainable and green digital transformation across Europe.
- European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI)coreCo-creator of Sports Master executive programme. EPSI brings sports industry expertise, networks, and executive speakers to the programme.
- EBAN SportscoreEuropean Business Angels Network Sports community co-develops Sports Master curriculum and provides investor network access for sports tech startups.
- Applejack LabcoreLead programme partner for SPIN: Rise REWIRE Health Tech & Wellbeing Commercialisation Lab, providing venture-building and fundraising strategy expertise.
- Instituto Pedro NunescorePortuguese technology transfer organization providing IP training, innovation management, and industry engagement for REWIRE programme.
- B4i - Bocconi for InnovationcoreBocconi University's entrepreneurial hub hosts SPIN: Rise Smart Manufacturing programme, providing bootcamp venue in Milan and mentorship network.
- SIBBcoreBerlin-Brandenburg digital association leads Cybersecurity Launchpad with 200+ tech industry partner network access for market readiness.
- Verhaert Strategic InnovationcoreEuropean innovation organization leads Evolve DualTech programme, providing CASSINI Business Accelerator expertise for dual-use technology commercialisation.
- Fondazione LINKS & FEAT VenturescoreItalian foundation hosts VECTAR aerospace and robotics programme at FEAT House in Turin, providing ecosystem connections and industry mentoring.
- EurasantécoreHealth innovation campus in Lille hosts Health Pioneers programme, one of Europe's largest hospital-university health ecosystems providing clinical validation opportunities.
- IE UniversitycoreHosts Climate Innovation Bridge programme with access to IE Climate Tech Lab, Venture Lab, and Knowledge & Technology Transfer Office for commercialisation support.
- EIT Digitalcore28DIGITAL was formerly EIT Digital KIC before rebranding. Maintains collaboration under Memorandum of Cooperation with EIT.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
28DIGITAL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's corporate innovation and startup accelerator operating across Europe and Latin America. Directly comparable as a corporate-backed open innovation platform running accelerators, corporate-startup matching, and equity investments.
- Station F: World's largest startup campus based in Paris, hosting 1,000+ startups and running multiple accelerator programs. Directly comparable to 28DIGITAL as a European open innovation platform combining workspace, acceleration, and corporate-startup matching.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform operating 50+ industry-specific accelerator programs and corporate-startup matching services. Closely comparable to 28DIGITAL's Open Innovation Factory model of connecting corporates, startups, and investors across verticals.
- Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator active across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, taking equity stakes in incubated founders. Directly comparable to 28DIGITAL's venture incubation model, though operating on commercial VC economics.
- Beta-i: Portuguese-based open innovation organization running corporate-startup programs (Beta-i, Lisbon Challenge, Web Summit) across Europe. Comparable to 28DIGITAL as a European open innovation intermediary connecting corporates, startups, and governments.
- UnternehmerTUM: Germany's leading university-linked entrepreneurship and innovation center affiliated with TU Munich. Comparable to 28DIGITAL's Master School and SPIN programmes for research commercialization and deep-tech venture building.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: One of the world's largest global accelerator networks running 50+ programs across sectors and geographies. Comparable as a globally scaled accelerator/incubator platform, but with a for-profit VC model versus 28DIGITAL's non-profit structure.
- Y Combinator: The world's most prominent startup accelerator. Comparable as a benchmark accelerator operator with equity-based economics, but operates globally with a single US-centric program versus 28DIGITAL's pan-European multi-program structure.
Others
- European Innovation Council (EIC): EU's flagship innovation funding instrument providing grants and equity to European startups and scaleups. Adjacent rather than competing — EIC is a primary funding source for many startups that 28DIGITAL supports through its accelerator pipeline.
Regional players
- EIT Health: Sister EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community focused on health innovation across Europe. Comparable as a parallel EIT KIC operating accelerator programmes, master schools, and EU-funded project coordination in a different vertical.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
28DIGITAL social profiles
Digital presence28DIGITAL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
28DIGITAL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
28DIGITAL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
28DIGITAL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments39 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 28DIGITAL
What does 28DIGITAL do?
28DIGITAL operates Europe's largest open innovation ecosystem, connecting startups, corporates, universities, and investors through three service divisions: Knowledge (Master School, Summer School, Professional School for tech and entrepreneurship education), Market (acceleration programmes including Speed Master, Sports Master, SpeedTech, Scale Smart, Venture Incubation Program, Mentor Me, Open Innovation Factory matching platform), and Investments (venture building and equity support through SAFE agreements). The organization runs 23 European offices plus a Silicon Valley hub and coordinates EU-funded projects under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe.
Is 28DIGITAL a public or private company?
28DIGITAL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 28DIGITAL founded?
28DIGITAL was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is 28DIGITAL based?
28DIGITAL is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does 28DIGITAL make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. EIT Funding is the primary driver. The others are EU Programme Management, professional Education Programmes and venture Programme Services.
Who are 28DIGITAL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wayra (Telefónica), Station F, Plug and Play Tech Center, Antler, Beta-i and UnternehmerTUM. Broad incumbents are Techstars and Y Combinator. European Innovation Council (EIC) is listed as an others. EIT Health is listed as a regional player.
Does 28DIGITAL have an API?
No public API is recorded for 28DIGITAL.
What industry is 28DIGITAL in?
28DIGITAL's product category is Open Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAHAH, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers, with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 7373.