What is the EIC Accelerator ?
The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to start-ups and SMEs that:
- have a innovative, game changing product, service or business model that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones in Europe and even worldwide,
- have the ambition and commitment to scale up,
- are looking for substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors alone to invest
- Grant funding
Non-dilutive, up to € 2.5 million, for innovation activities only (TRL 5-8), to be completed within 24 months.
- Grant only - for companies aiming to reach the TRL 8 at the end of the project and continue further development without the EIC support
- Direct investment
Dilutive, up to € 15 million, for market deployment (TRL 9), «patient capital» principle with a 7-10 years perspective.
- Blended finance: a mix of non-dilutive grant for innovation activities (TRL 5-8) and dilutive equity for market deployment (TRL 9).
- Investment only: for mid caps companies and companies that have received a «grant only».
- EIC Accelerator Challenges
For projects that match any of the pre-defined topics of the EIC Accelerator Challenges. The overall budget for the EIC Accelerator Challenges in 2024 is €300 millions.
- EIC Accelerator Open
For projects that don't match the EIC Accelerator topics, the EIC Accelerator Open is open to proposals in any field of technology. The overall budget for the EIC Accelerator Open in 2024 is €375 million.
- Extensive support
Access to a range of tailor-made Business Acceleration Services (BAS) for beneficiaries to leverage investments:
- Access to global partners
- Access to coaches, mentors, expertise and training
- Access to innovation ecosystem and peers
- Streamlined application process
EIC Accelerator selection process comprises 3 steps. Each step passed successfully give access to the next step:
- Writing a short proposal
- Submission of a full proposal
- Face to face interview with the EIC Jury
The European Innovation Council work programme 2024 opens funding opportunities worth over €1.2 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies. The majority is dedicated to SMEs and start-ups to develop and scale up “deep tech” innovations in critical fields such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), space, critical raw materials, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
Who can apply?
Applicants from EU Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme:
- Single start-up or SME (including spin-outs)
- Small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) in need of rapid scale up of the TRL 9 activity. Mid-caps can apply for investment only.
- Natural persons or legal entities willing to set up an SMEs or a mid-cap.
Applicants from third countries:
- Applicants from third countries may relocate their company in order to become eligible. This must be done before submitting the full application (Step 2).
- Applicants from the United Kingdom can only apply for the "grant only" scheme
Concurrent applications:
- Applicants may submit only one application to the EIC Accelerator. Additional applications can be submitted after receiving the results of the original submission.
The EIC welcomes applications from innovators in all EU Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme. It particularly welcomes applications from startups and SMEs with female CEOs.
How to apply for the EIC Accelerator?
The application process consists of 3 steps:
- Step 1Write your short proposal
Short proposals may be submitted at any time and which will be evaluated remotely by EIC expert evaluators on a first come, first served basis;
- A maximum 12-page form where you must summarise your proposal and respond to a set of questions on your innovation, your potential market and your team;
- A pitch-deck of up to ten slides in pdf format;
- A video pitch of up to three minutes where the core members of your team (up to three people) should provide the motivation for your proposal.
You will normally receive feedback within approximately 4-6 weeks. If your application meets the basic criteria for EIC Accelerator funding, you will be invited to prepare a full proposal to submit to one of the periodic cut-off dates for Accelerator Open or Accelerator Challenge funding.
- Step 2Prepare your full proposal
If your short proposal received a GO, you have 12 months to prepare your full proposal and submit it to one of the cut-offs. Prepare your full proposal on Funding and Tenders portal. You will need to follow the structure and provide the information detailed in the templates, define the type of funding, prepare a new pitch deck and some additional documents.
- Step 3Pitch your innovation
If your application meets all of the criteria, will be invited to the face to face interviews with an EIC jury as the final step in the selection process.
Next cut-offs and interviews dates:
- 13 March 2024 - interviews: 10-14 June 2024
- 3 October 2024 - interviews: 20-24 January 2025
Applications that meet all the criteria at the remote evaluation stage and are assessed positively by the EIC jury but not recommended for funding, will be awarded a Seal of Excellence to help them secure funding from other sources.
This guide aims to assist potential applicants to the EIC Accelerator
These annexes give the opportunity to applicants who received a GO for Short proposal (Step 1) to familiarise themselves with the required information to prepare their full application. The annexes are expected to be available for use on the Funding and Tenders Portal around 15 February.
Direct submissions
- Fast Track scheme
The Fast Track scheme allows specific treatment of proposals that result from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects. Such projects can submit projects directly to the full application stage of the EIC Accelerator subject to a review of the ongoing project.
- Plug-In scheme
The Plug-In scheme is equivalent to the Fast Track, except that it applies to proposals that result from existing national or regional programmes. So far, 50 programmes have been certified for the scheme.
Do you need help ?
- NCPs
The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
- FAQs
Find answers to questions frequently asked by applicants about types of funding, eligibility, submission of proposals and much more
- BAS
All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS).
News
1211 full applications from start-ups and SMEs for the EIC Accelerator 3 October cut-off.
Three new deep-tech experts join the EIC!
68 companies selected for the EIC Accelerator funding following March 2024 cut-off.
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, meets the EIC-funded SMEs.
Revised EIC Fund investment guidelines have been published, applicable to companies selected under the EIC Accelerator scheme under Horizon Europe.
Join the EIC at the biggest European conference dedicated to renewable energy and efficient energy use – the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2024