€25,000 for the start-ups building baby and kids gear.
ARkid funds a €25,000 accelerator programme for early-stage start-ups in the baby and kids gear industry, run jointly with The Kids Industry. Up to five start-ups, twelve weeks in Q1 2027. Their products go into 3D & AR and in front of the brands, retailers and distributors who decide what reaches the shop floor.
- Applications open until 30 November 2026
- Programme: January–March 2027
- No equity taken
Five start-ups, twelve weeks.
A focused quarter for a small cohort: each start-up leaves with a 3D digital twin of its product, the material to sell it and the contacts to list it.
- Programme fund
- €25,000
- Funded by ARkid
- Start-ups
- 5
- Up to five in the cohort
- Weeks
- 12
- January to March 2027
- Equity
- 0%
- No shares, no fees
Buyers decide before the samples ship.
In this category a new product reaches families through buyers, distributors and trade fairs. Samples are expensive, slow to ship and rarely survive the season. A 3D digital twin lets a buyer see, configure and place the product in AR before production volumes exist.
Established brands already sell this way. The accelerator gives start-ups the same starting position, and The Kids Industry opens the doors to the people who list products.
Everything a product needs to be listed.
The €25,000 covers the programme in full. Start-ups pay nothing and give up no shares.
- 01
A 3D digital twin of your product
ARkid Studio builds a production-grade twin of your hero product from your CAD data or prototype: materials, colourways and moving parts included.
- 02
12 months of ARkid Catalogue
Embed the twin on your own site, show it in AR with no app required, and share it with every retailer that lists you.
- 03
Imagery from ARkid Creator
Creator, the AI virtual photo studio, renders pack shots and lifestyle scenes from the twin, so your launch material does not wait for a photoshoot.
- 04
Industry mentoring
Fortnightly sessions with practitioners from The Kids Industry network: product safety and certification, retail buying, distribution and pricing.
- 05
Introductions
Meetings with brands, retailers and distributors matched to your category and your markets, prepared together with you.
- 06
Demo day
At the end of March 2027 the cohort presents to an invited audience of buyers, distributors and investors from the industry.
Start-ups with a product families can hold.
The programme is built for early-stage hardware companies in the category. If you are unsure whether you fit, apply anyway and tell us why.
- Category
Baby, juvenile or kids gear
Strollers, car seats, nursery furniture, sleep, feeding, carriers, toys and play. Physical products for families with children.
- Stage
A working prototype or more
From first prototype to Series A. If you are already selling, even better; if you are still at the sketch stage, apply next year.
- Company
Founded in 2022 or later
An independent start-up with at least one founder working on it full-time. Subsidiaries of established brands are not eligible.
- Location
Anywhere, sessions in English
Mentoring and reviews run remotely. Kick-off and demo day take place in person in Europe; the venue is announced with the cohort.
From application to demo day.
Applications close at the end of November. The cohort is announced before the holidays and starts in the second week of January.
- 01 · Until 30 Nov 2026
Apply
Send the application below. It takes about 15 minutes; a pitch deck helps but is optional.
- 02 · 1–18 Dec 2026
Selection
ARkid and The Kids Industry review every application together. Shortlisted start-ups get a 30-minute call. Every applicant hears from us by 18 December.
- 03 · Week of 11 Jan 2027
Kick-off
The cohort meets in person. We agree each start-up’s goals for the quarter and you hand over the CAD data or prototype for your twin.
- 04 · Jan–Mar 2027
Build and mentor
Studio builds and reviews the twin with you, it goes live in Catalogue, Creator renders your imagery. Mentoring and introductions run alongside.
- 05 · End of Mar 2027
Demo day
Each start-up presents its product, in 3D & AR, to buyers, distributors and investors. The twin and the contacts stay with you.
What the panel looks for.
A joint panel of ARkid and The Kids Industry reviews every application against four questions.
- 01
Product
It solves a real problem for parents or children, and safety is designed in, not added later.
- 02
Team
Founders who know the category, can build the product and will make time for the programme.
- 03
Route to market
A credible path to retail or direct sales, and a view on which markets come first.
- 04
Fit
A twin, mentoring and introductions in Q1 2027 would change what you achieve in the next twelve months.
A joint programme with the kids industry.
Two partners, one programme: the 3D & AR infrastructure on one side, the industry network on the other.
- Funds and runs the programme
ARkid
ARkid funds the €25,000 programme and delivers its 3D & AR side: the digital twins (Studio), the platform (Catalogue) and the imagery (Creator). ARkid works with 130+ brands and retailers in the baby and juvenile products industry.
About ARkid - Programme partner
The Kids Industry
The Kids Industry brings the network: the practitioners who mentor the cohort, the introductions to brands, retailers and distributors, and the audience for demo day.
beta.thekidsindustry.com
Before you apply.
Does ARkid take equity or charge a fee?
No. There are no shares, no fees and no obligation to buy anything after the programme.
Is the €25,000 paid out in cash?
No. The fund covers the programme for the whole cohort: the production of the digital twins, the Catalogue licences, the Creator imagery, the mentoring and demo day. Start-ups receive the work, not a transfer.
What happens to the 3D twin after the programme?
It is yours to keep using. Catalogue is included for 12 months; after that you can continue on one of the regular plans.
How much time does the programme take?
Plan on about half a day a week: kick-off, a mentoring session every two weeks, the reviews of your twin and the preparation for demo day.
We only have a prototype, no CAD data. Can we still apply?
Yes. Studio can work from a physical prototype as well as from CAD data. Tell us what you have in the application.
Who sees our application?
ARkid and The Kids Industry, and only for the selection of the cohort. We treat what you send as confidential. More in our privacy notice.
Apply for the Accelerator 2027.
Tell us about your start-up and your product. Short and specific beats long and polished.
- 01Applications close on 30 November 2026.
- 02Shortlisted start-ups get a 30-minute call in early December.
- 03Every applicant hears from us by 18 December 2026.
- 04Questions before you apply: hello@arkid.app.
The 2027 cohort is being selected.
Applications closed on 30 November 2026. Every applicant hears from us by 18 December; the programme runs from January to March 2027.
Building something for babies and kids, and want to hear about the next round? Tell us about your start-up