Open Calls

U2V Launches Europe-Wide Push To Fund University Spin-Off Deeptech

U2V (University2Ventures) has announced a first close of its inaugural venture fund, Fund I, which is targeting €60m to invest in pre-seed and seed deeptech university spin-offs across Europe. The fund focuses on startups emerging from academic research that are developing technologies with industrial and commercial applications.

Benefits

Startups backed by U2V receive early-stage venture capital and access to an industrial network that the fund says includes more than 500 corporate partners. The fund’s model is built around supporting early technical validation, pilot projects and go-to-market development, particularly for technologies requiring close collaboration with industry.

U2V also works closely with European universities and technology transfer offices, highlighting their relationships with institutions such as TU Munich, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, DTU Denmark, Politecnico di Milano, and École Polytechnique.

Who can apply

The fund targets:

  • University spin-offs and startups commercialising academic research
  • Companies at the pre-seed or seed stage
  • Founders working in AI and novel computing, industrial technologies, and cleantech
  • Startups based in Europe, as defined by the fund’s stated geographic scope

How to apply

Founders are encouraged to approach the fund directly through its official channels by sharing a pitch deck and outlining the academic origin of the technology, its commercial potential, and industrial use case.

About the fund

U2V (University2Ventures) was founded by Philipp Semmer, Michael Schmitt, and Johannes Triebs. Fund I is targeting €60m in total; the amount raised at first close has not been disclosed publicly, although the firm has described it as being in the “strong double-digit millions”.

Jungheinrich, through its venture arm Uplift Ventures, is an anchor investor in the fund, alongside family offices, founders and industry executives.

The League Opens Free Cyprus Basecamp For Young People To Build Agentic AI Systems

Overview

The League is opening applications for its first Agentic AI Basecamp, a free, in-person programme in Cyprus for participants aged 16 and over. The Basecamp offers 15 seats, and its eight-Saturday sprint will run at Space307 from 3rd October to 21st November 2026, every Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00. Applications open on 10 September and close on 25 September 2026.

The programme is the entry point into The League, a year-round educational ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between school and professional life. It is built around real company projects, expert mentorship, and continuous evidence-building, with participants joining independent programmes one at a time.

The wider Agentic AI Basecamp entry point is listed as running from October to December 2026 and includes the first Saturday sprint, eight Saturdays, plus a December Hackathon.

What Makes It Different

The League is neither a school, nor a university, nor a one-off camp. Its model is based on the idea that young people need proof of how they work, specifically how they break down unclear tasks, take ownership, collaborate, recover from setbacks, and deliver visible results.

The programme responds to a gap seen on both sides of the talent pipeline. Companies often struggle to identify young talent that can execute, collaborate, and take ownership, while teenagers are often pushed to choose a career direction without real exposure to industries, constraints, teams, or feedback.

What Participants Will Build

The Agentic AI Basecamp is an eight-Saturday sprint focused on building one real system from scratch. Sessions take place at Space307, described by the organisers as a working technology company environment rather than a classroom.

The first two weeks will cover what today’s AI can and cannot do, Python, and the use of git and GitHub in a real team context. Weeks three and four focus on building an agent loop, including an AI system that takes real actions and the use of a third-party AI API.

In weeks five and six, participants will develop their own agentic system around a real problem of their choice, wrap it in their own API, and work with Linux and real servers. The final two weeks cover Docker and deployment, including health checks, logs, testing against an evaluation set, and a final Demo Day.

Benefits

By the end of the Basecamp, every participant is expected to leave with a working agentic AI system they designed, built, and published online. They will also have a development record showing how the project evolved and what they personally contributed.

Participants will also complete an independent technical defence at Demo Day, receive written feedback from a professional mentor and join The League alumni community. Together, these outcomes are intended to give participants evidence they can show to a university or first employer.

The wider aim is not only technical output, but professional development. The programme is designed to build independence, ownership, teamwork, communication, resilience, judgement and career direction through real experience.

Who Can Apply

The Basecamp is open to people aged 16+. There are 15 seats available, and the first Basecamp starts on 3rd October 2026.

The programme is especially relevant for teenagers and young people who want early exposure to real technology work, AI systems, team-based problem-solving and professional mentorship before choosing or committing to a future study or career path.

How Selection Works

Applicants must complete an application form. The process also includes a short interview, described as a conversation rather than an exam. Fifteen offers will then be made for the first Basecamp.

The Wider League Ecosystem

The Agentic AI Basecamp is the first programme currently open for applications, but The League is designed as a wider year-round ecosystem. Planned programmes include an MIT MISTI Bootcamp in January 2027, a GameDev & Interactive Tech Sprint from late January to March 2027, a JASS Bootcamp at the end of March 2027, a Software & Product Sprint from April to June 2027, and a Talent Showcase in June 2027.

Each programme has its own application, interview, age range, and calendar. Completing the Basecamp brings participants into The League, but does not automatically secure a place in later programmes such as MIT MISTI or JASS.

How To Apply

Applications for the Agentic AI Basecamp open on 10 September and close on 25 September 2026. The programme is free, offers 15 seats, and will take place at Space307 in Cyprus.

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