The European Innovation Council received 476 full applications from start-ups and SMEs for the EIC Accelerator 11 January cut-off. Blended finance continues to be in high demand - 290 companies (61% of total applicants) requested grants combined with equity investments. 80 companies asked for grants only and 103 companies applied for grants first, with a possibility of equity investments at a later stage.
14% of the total proposals were submitted by companies with female CEOs. The applicants come from 30 different countries, with the highest number of participants coming from Israel (65), Germany (56), France (40) and Italy (33). 57 applications origin from widening countries.
Proposals are now being evaluated by independent experts. Successful companies will then be invited to pitch in front of a jury of investors and business experts in March, with selection decisions expected in April.
Funding opportunities in 2023
It was the first EIC Accelerator cut-off this year, covering only Open call for proposals. In 2023, the Accelerator offers €1.13 billion of funding in grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments from €0.5 up to €15 million. Start-ups and SMEs can apply for EIC Accelerator funding at any time through the EIC platform by sending a video pitch, a slide deck and responding to a short set of questions about their innovation and the team. They receive feedback within 4 weeks. If selected, they can send a full application by one of the periodic cut-off dates – 22 March, 7 June, 4 October 2023.
Details
- Publication date
- 20 January 2023