Let’s be frank: Frontier AI encodes values and power. If Europe relies on models built elsewhere, we give both away. Staying in control – culturally, politically, economically – starts with foundation models built in Europe, for Europe. It’s time to make independence our greatest innovation.
We bet on the race not on the horse; up to ten teams get the runway – and the freedom – to push the frontier their way. They compete in fully funded stages, worth up to €25M per team, with cuts after each round. Two years in, up to three teams remain. Each is backed to raise up to €1B to launch a frontier lab that can shift Europe’s AI trajectory.
A pan-European initiative led by SPRIND – the German Federal agency for breakthrough innovation. Think of it as a government-backed VC with the freedom to take real risks. We bring you and all European stakeholders together to build frontier AI labs across Europe that develop and deploy foundation models. Europe needs to be the counterweight next to the US and China.
May 2026
Application Deadline
June 2026
Proposal Screening and pitch
July 2026
Up to 10 teams are funded
Fall 2028
Up to 3 winners are announced and backed to raise up to €1bn
Want more info? Here are the nitty gritty details:
Details