• What is MediaMotorEurope? Where can I find more information?

MME is a 6-month mentoring programme (September 2020 until February 2021) co-funded by the European Commission under the umbrella of Startup Europe, that will support high-potential European deeptech innovators (AI, ML, VR, IoT, Big Data, Blockchain, etc.) with solutions for the media sector in upscaling their business and soft-landing to new markets. Find out more here.

• When will the programme run and when are the next Open Calls?

There will be three support cycles of the MME mentoring programme, each lasting 6 months. Each support cycle will have its own open call on the F6S platform.

The preliminary dates are as follows:

• Open Call 1: 18 April – 17 July 2020 at 17h00 CEST (Support cycle: September 2020 – February 2021)
• Open Call 2: 1 September – 30 October 2020 at 17h00 CEST (Support cycle: January – June 2021)
• Open Call 3: 1 April – 27 May 2021 at 17h00 CEST (Support cycle: July – December 2021)

Official open call dates will be announced here and on MME social media – stay tuned and submit your application on time!

• Where can I apply?

All applications are done on F6S (sole entry point). A dedicated application page will be created for each open call, and this information will be announced on the MME website, MME page on F6S and MME social media, to ensure that you are always up to date!

• What is MME’s understanding of the media sector and creative industries?

To help define a scope for the programme, MME has some well-defined media sector challenges in which solutions can be applied.

In principle, the programme is designed for deeptech startups and scaleups with solutions for the creative industries. Apart from the media industry, the creative industries include publishing, music, films, and audio-visual work, visual and performing arts, photographic, advertising, architecture activities, design, cultural heritage, festivals, and cultural events.

Suitable for the programme are those applicants whose technological and product/services innovations are created and/or implemented in the mentioned above industries (but not only) and whose solutions are most often connected or based on Artificial intelligence, Virtual & Augmented Reality, IoT, Cloud computing, Audio & Video Streaming, Collaborative robotics, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Computer animations, Gaming, Human-Computer interfaces/interaction, Interactive computer installations, 5G, etc.

Please also read the answer to the next question.

• I have a deeptech solution but I don’t necessarily target the media sector – should I apply?

MME is looking for startups and scaleups offering deeptech solutions which may be applied to the media sector, but do not necessarily have to have applicability to the media sector.  Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, Big Data, Blockchain, 5G, Cloud Computing, and other deep technologies are welcome to apply!

• Am I eligible to apply for MediaMotorEurope?

You can find the complete eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions here (when opening the page, please scroll down).

• What are the services available for selected startups? How will my MME journey look like after being accepted?

If you are accepted to the programme, you will be assigned to one of the four MME innovation hubs. This assignment will be done based on your profile and on which hub can support you best. A dedicated coach who will be responsible for tailoring the MME programme to your needs, will welcome you to the hub through an online meeting.You will then be invited to work with mentors across Europe that can best help you to take your business to the next level. The coach will present you relevant pitching opportunities – both to investors as well as to the industry, at relevant events. And let’s not forget that our network of hubs will be looking for relevant opportunities to be connected with potential clients, anywhere in Europe, where your solution may solve their challenges.

• Where are the MME innovation hubs located? Will I be assigned to one hub and what does this mean? Can I select the hub myself?

The hubs are located in Brussels (Belgium), Bergen (Norway), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Sofia (Bulgaria). You will be assigned a coordinator and a main coach associated with the hub that best matches your profile, to ensure that you can get the most relevant support. You are not required to travel to your hub, as most or all of the support is currently happening remotely. Your assigned coordinator will not only draw on the best coaches in the hub, but can draw on all across the four hubs. And even if you are assigned to one hub, events and other activities and resources are available to you at the other hubs.

• Does the MME programme provide funding to the startups?

No. MME is a mentoring programme; it is not a cascade funding project neither has a funding scheme available. As a Startup Europe project, all services are provided free of charge.

Despite no financial support being provided, MME covers partially some of the travel expenses associated with the programme activities. In addition, one of our benefits is matchmaking with investors and showcasing & pitching at the coolest tech events!

• Is there any financial support available for travel and accommodation expenses to the MME events?

Yes! In the case that travelling will be possible (currently all MME activities take place remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic), each selected startup will be invited to participate in a media industry event in Europe (travel costs’ reimbursement up to €600). The top three startups of the programme will be invited to participate in a media industry event outside Europe (travel costs’ reimbursement up to €1500).

• Can I apply several times?

Startups can only submit one application per open call. If you do not get selected in one open call, you are welcome to apply to the upcoming open calls. Please read the terms and conditions before applying.

• What are the plans of having the program on site/remotely with regard to the COVID-19 situation?

For the coaching sessions and workshop sessions by the experts these are all planned remotely, due to both the COVID-19 situation as well as the geographical spread of the scaleups.

MediaMotorEurope has the possibility of offering travel vouchers to attend selected events. These will be made available if the situation changes and international travel is again recommended.

• What are the differences between MediaMotorEurope and the STADIEM project? If I am selected to MME, am I eligible to apply to STADIEM?

You can find the distinction between MediaMotorEurope and STADIEM here. There is no obstacle for MediaMotorEurope selected startups to apply to the STADIEM open calls – please refer to its own programme rules.