“Fit 4 Programme”, Scaling up the Luxembourg way
Luxembourg has taken a new step in strengthening its startup and scaleup ecosystem with the selection of five companies for the inaugural cohort of the Fit 4 Scale programme. Announced in recent weeks and now moving toward its launch phase, the initiative is led by Luxinnovation in partnership with the Ministry of the Economy and targets companies with strong growth potential and international ambition.
Fit 4 Scale forms part of the government’s wider ten-point action plan aimed at reinforcing the country’s position as a hub for innovative, high-growth businesses. While Luxembourg has long supported early-stage startups, this programme is designed to address a critical transition point. It focuses on companies that have moved beyond initial validation and are preparing to scale operations, revenues, and teams across borders.
The selection process was deliberately rigorous. After the call for applications closed in December 2025, ten companies were shortlisted and invited to pitch their scaleup strategies in person. These sessions included detailed presentations followed by questioning and discussion, allowing evaluators to probe not only business models and markets but also leadership readiness and execution capacity.
Final decisions were made by a panel of five independent lead mentors, all experienced entrepreneurs with strong track records in scaling companies and raising capital. The mentors included Christophe Bianco of Excellium Services, Genna Elvin of Tadaweb, Robert Glaesener of Talkwalker and Internaxx, Tom Michels of Salonkee, and Xavier Buck of EuroDNS. Their involvement signals the programme’s emphasis on peer-to-peer entrepreneurial guidance rather than purely institutional support.
The five companies selected for the first cohort are A352, AIRMO, ClimateCamp, Kidola, and Partao. While active in different sectors, they were assessed against a common set of criteria. These included the strength and originality of their value propositions, evidence of market traction, international growth ambitions, and the quality and complementarity of their teams. Mentors also placed strong emphasis on whether founders were likely to fully engage with the intensive one-to-one support that sits at the core of Fit 4 Scale.
From early March 2026, the selected companies will be formally onboarded into the programme. Over several months, they will receive tailored mentoring from their assigned lead mentors, along with expert-led sessions focused on key scaling challenges such as sales expansion, financial structuring, and organizational growth. The programme also includes AI acceleration support, guidance on access to capital, increased visibility, and targeted assistance for internationalisation.
Fit 4 Scale is described by organisers as a demanding journey that requires active commitment and clear execution from participating companies. In return, it offers a structured yet flexible support framework grounded in real entrepreneurial experience. According to Minister of the Economy Lex Delles, the programme is a strategic pillar in Luxembourg’s scaleup strategy, helping transform strong local companies into internationally competitive players while reinforcing their contribution to innovation and economic impact.
The programme will run until October 2026, concluding during Luxembourg Venture Days, where participants are expected to showcase progress made during this first national scaleup cohort.