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European Innovation Council

EIC Business Acceleration Services

As an EIC-supported start-up or innovator, you can benefit from access to a range of tailor-made EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) available at any stage of development of your activities, and of the EIC research and innovation cycle. 

About the EIC Business Acceleration Services

Under Horizon Europe, at the EIC we strive to ensure that financial support is only the beginning of your journey as an EIC awardee, with mechanisms available to bring your innovations  to the market and grow your business. As an EIC-supported start-up or innovator, you can benefit from access to a range of tailor-made EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) available at any stage of development of your activities, and of the EIC research and innovation cycle. 

Who can benefit from these services?

  • EIC Awardees from the EIC Accelerator (including SME Instrument), EIC Transition and EIC Pathfinder (including FET Active and FET Open) funding schemes
  • Women TechEU awardees (implemented under the European Innovation Ecosystems)
  • STEP Seal holders
  • Members of the EIC Scaling Club
  • As an EIC Accelerator applicant invited to prepare a full proposal (successfully passed Step 1), you can benefit from 3 days of remote coaching, and get support with the preparation of the full proposal (Step 2 application).
  • Some of the services are also available to companies receiving the Seal of Excellence (under Horizon Europe), as well as to innovators and companies coming from other European or national initiatives that have entered into a specific agreement with the EIC.

The EIC BAS have no expiration date. Even if your project has ended, you are eligible to apply to our services. 

What services are available?

The EIC Business Acceleration Services are structured around three main pillars providing you with access to all that is needed to boost your growth: 

  • Contracts: Your presence at the EIC is your gateway to matching activities with a wide range of stakeholders. Since 2021, our programmes have led to:
    • +20,000 one-on-one meetings between EIC awardees and corporates, procurers and investors;
    • 595 deals;
    • EUR 350 million raised through investor outreach;
    • EUR 1.2 billion raised by EIC Scaling Club members since joining;
    • EUR 42 million turnover from trade fairs* 
      *Since 2024 only
    • 4 global expansion programmes in the US and Singapore
    • EUR 7.7 million raised through innovation procurement support, out of a total value of EUR 28.4 million in submitted tenders*
      *Since March 2024 only
    • 22 ongoing and 16 completed pilots following matches between innovators and buyers, supported with EUR 1.93 million.
  • Contacts:  As an EIC-supported researcher, innovator or entrepreneur, you can benefit from access to an ecosystem network comprising:
    • +280 partners offering over 650 services
    • +270 activities to date, bringing together more than 5,000 EIC awardees.
  • Skills: enjoy access to tailor-made coaching, mentoring, expertise and training delivered by specialised providers and adapted to your innovation stage. Our impact since 2021 includes:
    • +2,400 EIC awardees and applicants coached;
    • +90% EIC Women Leadership Programme alumnae reporting an increase in entrepreneurial skills;
    • 98% increase of capabilities to submit offers as suppliers in procurements;
    • 21 start-ups created following venture building and enterpreneurial training;
    • 16 CEOs onboarded following entrepreneurship training.

Gain contracts

*Previously known as EIC Soft-landing Programme or EIC Immersive Programme. 

Boost your network with new contacts

  • EIC Community Platform: Grow your network across the European innovation ecosystem and apply to the EIC Business Acceleration Services.
  • EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme: Access specialised sector-focused services offered by EIC Partners and discover the the EIC ACCESS+ grants, facilitating co-funded access to these services through a continuous open call, available until 31 May 2026. Eligible beneficiaries can receive up to EUR 60 000 to cover up to 50% of service costs from vetted EIC Partners.

Expand your skills

  • EIC Coaching Programme: Receive coaching and training tailored to your specific needs, starting as early as the stage of proposal preparation for EIC Accelerator (step 2).
  • EIC Community Programme: Connect with partners and boost your skills with peer-learning workshops and tailor-made training activities.
  • EIC Tech to Market Programme*: Accelerate your science-startup project and transition from lab to market through specialised support and Design Thinking methodologies.
  • EIC Women Leadership Programme: Strengthen your entrepreneurial skills and expand your network among female leaders with the support of a personal mentor and business coach.

*Service resuming in Q1 2026.

How to access the services

All open calls for business opportunities provided by the EIC Business Acceleration Services and the EIC Ecosystem Partners are published in the EIC Community Platform. 

EIC Community Platform

Sign up today with your EU Login credentials to apply to EIC Business Acceleration Services, find your next corporate partner to scale up, get support from peers and the EIC ecosystem, access coaching and matchmaking events, and much more.

Enter the platform

Work with us

The European Innovation Council is open for new collaborations with other business enablers. Check our open calls:

Calendar

 

2026

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

  • EIC Multicorporate Day @ Impact Circle, Boom (Belgium), 24 July

     

Find out more on the EIC Community Platform. 

Subscribe to the EIC BAS Newsletter

The EIC Business Acceleration Services newsletter and its open calls digest are your go-to source for the latest updates on open calls for applications, inspiring success stories, exclusive interviews, partner calls and other engaging news.

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