The EIC Accelerator supports individual Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular Startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. In some cases small mid-caps (up to 500 employees) are supported.
The EIC Accelerator provides substantial financial support with:
- grant funding (non-dilutive) of up to €2.5 million for innovation development costs,
- investments (direct equity investments) of up to €15 million managed by the EIC Fund for scale up and other relevant costs. Companies working on technologies of strategic European interest can apply for EIC investments of more than €15 million.
In addition, EIC selected companies receive coaching, mentoring, access to investors and corporates, and many other opportunities as part of the EIC community.
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.
Subsidy:
- Grant: max. €2.5M
- Investment component: Between €0,5M and €15M
- Applicants can choose to apply for a blend of grant and equity, grant only, grant first or equity only.
Total Budget available: €630,9M
Deadline: 3 stage application process
- Short proposal: apply anytime
- Full proposal: 05 October 2022
- Interview rounds: They will be held approximately 8-9 weeks after the cut-off dates
Consortium: single SMEs and start-up (and individuals intending to establish a start-up/SME) established in EU Member State Countries.
EIC Accelerator Open Call and Challenges
The Open Call, is open to any type of technology and research area. Next to that, 2 EIC Accelerator Challenges are implemented in 2022. Both the Open Call and Challenge Calls share the same eligibility criteria and conditions. Total Budget available: €536,9M.
Titles of the 2 EIC Accelerator Challenges:
- Technologies for Open Strategic Autonomy
- Technologies for ‘Fit for 55’
More information at https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en
