• EIT Culture & Creativity to extend its pan-European network into the IBC Accelerator Programme
• Collaboration designed to accelerate proof-of-concept development and real-world deployment

London, 25 February 2026 – IBC today announced a new strategic partnership with EIT Culture & Creativity – the institutional partnership for culture and creativity, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – appointing it as its European Innovation Partner for 2026. Announced at the IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme’s Kickstart Day 2026, the partnership reflects the two organisations shared commitment to advancing the broadcast and audiovisual industry and has the potential to meaningfully accelerate collaborative progress. Together, the two organisations aim to create clearer pathways from proof-of-concept to deployment across the global media and entertainment (M&E) ecosystem – starting with the Accelerator Programme.

“This new partnership promises to further accelerate innovation across the IBC community,” said Michael Crimp, Chief Executive Officer of IBC. “Kickstart Day is where many of the industry’s next breakthroughs begin, so it’s the right moment to announce this collaboration. Working with EIT Culture & Creativity, we are strengthening the pathway for M&E innovators to engage with the international media leaders who come to IBC to invest, form partnerships, and bring new solutions to market.”

Added Anette Schaefer, CEO of EIT Culture & Creativity: “This partnership connects Europe's creative innovation ecosystem in the broadcast and audiovisual sector with its extensive industry network in a way that is practical, visible, and impactful. IBC is the ideal partner to help us demonstrate that culture and creativity sit at the heart of technology transformation.”

The partnership combines EIT Culture & Creativity’s pan-European network – supporting entrepreneurship and growth across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors – with IBC’s global reach through its conference, exhibition, and media platforms.

Under the agreement, EIT Culture & Creativity is contributing thought leadership and access to its ecosystem of start-ups, research institutions, creative clusters, and investors to support the Accelerator Programme. This kicked off with participation in a high-level, invitation-only strategic roundtable on innovation strategies that took place on the eve of Kickstart Day. The roundtable focused on key trends and issues shaping the broadcast and audiovisual industry, including trusted media, intellectual property, authenticity, rights management, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Accelerator Programme’s Kickstart Day, held this year at BBC Broadcasting House, brings together leading broadcasters, streamers, technology vendors, start-ups, and academic partners to pitch and form collaborations around real-world industry challenges. It marks the start of a six-month fast-track innovation cycle culminating in live Proof of Concept (PoC) demonstrations in the Accelerator Zone at IBC2026 from 11–14 September.

Since its launch in 2019, the IBC Accelerator Programme has become a recognised platform for cross-industry collaboration, enabling media organisations and technology partners to work together in a structured, fast-track environment. Real-world projects are driven by industry “Champions” – including broadcasters, studios and content owners – who define the challenges, with “Participants” – vendors and innovators contributing expertise to develop practical, scalable solutions.

ENDS

About IBC

Delivering innovation and empowering people, IBC is where the future of the global Media and Entertainment industry is defined and actioned. Energising the market, enabling content everywhere and inspiring new conversations, IBC brings the creative, technology and business communities together to collaborate, learn and unlock new opportunities.

At IBC2026, exhibitors and speakers from around the globe will showcase game-changing innovations and tackle the media sector’s most pressing trends and issues – changing perceptions and meeting the needs of the world-leading broadcasters, content owners, rightsholders, service providers, and others attending the four-day conference and trade show.

With a focus on inclusivity, IBC propels change – driving thought leadership, sparking discussion, shifting expectations, accelerating creativity, and enabling real business outcomes.

IBC’s mission is to empower our 250,000-strong global community to explore new opportunities, build knowledge, and play an active role in the technological transformation and broader change sweeping the industry worldwide.

For further information, please visit: https://show.ibc.org/

About EIT Culture and Creativity

EIT Culture & Creativity is the institutional partnership dedicated to transforming Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries to become more sustainable, resilient, and competitive. Established in 2023 by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an EU body, the organisation offers funding, knowledge, and tailored support.

As part of Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, we connect research, industry, academia, and cultural institutions to drive systemic innovation. Our vision is to empower the CCSI as a vital force for economic, social, and environmental transformation. Our mission is to drive responsible growth through innovation, education, business creation, and societal impact.

Our initial strategic focus is on five sectors — architecture, gaming, fashion, cultural heritage, and audiovisual media — offering targeted support to innovators to scale ideas, translate innovation into impact, and redefine entrepreneurship for the creative economy.

EIT Culture & Creativity operates in over 30 countries, with its headquarters in Cologne and regional hubs in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bologna, Helsinki, Košice, and Vienna.

Media Relations:

Platform Communications for IBC

Nick Field / Reece Hainesborough / Molly Cole

ibcprteam@platformcomms.com

+44 (0) 20 3832 3690