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
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
- Grant first – for companies reaching TRL 8 at the end of the project and possibility to apply for dilutive equity to reach TRL 9
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».
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.
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.
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
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
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 (fewer than 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 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.
