Cohort 1, 2026-2027
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● Cohort 01 · Applications open · 01.06.2026 → 31.08.2026

Ascent
to the summit.

The tripartite incubation programme for action sports startups. Surf, skate, snow, BMX, trail, climbing. Twelve intensive months, five startups per cohort, a direct line to the industry.

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In partnership with
ActionSporTech EuroSIMA Mont X
ascent.actionsportech.fr
01 / The programme

EuroSIMA Surf Summit 2026 to Surf Summit 2027, twelve months of continuous progress

A full cycle, designed like an expedition. Base camp in autumn, the ridge in spring, the summit the following summer. Each startup keeps its own line.

01 One-to-one mentoring

A dedicated mentor

A strategic call every two weeks with your lead mentor, plus an expert pool you can tap into on demand. Private Slack channel for operational blockers.

1 call / 2 weeks (45 min)
02 Cohort collective

One workshop per month

Half-day sessions on the levers that matter: product, tech, go-to-market, fundraising, sustainability. Operators, not theorists. One peer-to-peer session every month.

1 workshop / month · 1 peer session / month
03 Continuous support

Funding and network

Support on BPI, French Tech and regional grants. Warm intros to investors from month 6. Access to the EuroSIMA network (200+ members) and Mont X (Canada).

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02 / Key dates

Seven milestones, one heading

The launch takes place at the EuroSIMA Surf Summit, so does Demo Day. In between, monthly workshops, a bootcamp in the Cévennes, and two public checkpoints.

  1. 01

    June 2026

    Call for applications opens

    Applications begin

  2. 02

    Sept 2026

    Cohort of 5 selected

    Individual notification

  3. 03

    Late Sept 2026

    Official launch

    EuroSIMA Surf Summit, Belambra Club Les Estagnots, Seignosse

  4. 04

    Oct 2026

    Cohort kick-off

    Individual 360° diagnostic

  5. 05

    April 2027

    Mid-term Demo Day

    Public checkpoint

  6. 06

    July 2027

    Bootcamp Cévennes

    4-day immersion

  7. 07

    Autumn 2027

    Final Demo Day

    EuroSIMA Surf Summit 2027

03 / Who's in

A demanding cohort, six transparent criteria

ASCENT selects five startups whose product, market or method reshape the industry. Public weighting, three-party jury, no opaque filter.

30% Innovation and originality
20% Environmental and social impact
20% Economic viability
10% Scalability and internationalisation
10% Team quality
10% Action sports industry fit

Requirements

Project rooted in the action sports ecosystem, team of at least two people, stage past ideation, with a working MVP or early traction signals.

Participation terms

Participation fee of €3,000 excl. tax per startup for cohort 1. Two mandatory on-site events, kick-off at the Surf Summit and the final Demo Day. Everything else runs hybrid or digital.

Applications

Five seats, twelve months, three partners. Submit your application now.

Apply now