What is the EIC Accelerator?

The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to start-ups and SMEs that:

  • Develop high risk/high impact innovation;
  • Aim to create new markets or disrupt existing ones;
  • Developed deep-tech- built on scientific discovery, radical thinking or technological breakthroughs;
  • Reached TRL 5-6: Technology already validated in lab, ready to be demonstrated in a relevant/real/customer environment; 
  • Face challenges in attracting funding from private investors and requires de-risking. 

Who can apply?

You can apply if you meet one of the following eligibility conditions:

– You are legally registered Israeli company that meets the EU definition of a Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) or a small mid-cap of up to 499 employees (mid-caps can only apply for commercialization and market deployment activities and are not eligible for grant only funding), legally registered in Israel or Europe.- You are an entrepreneur(s) who plans to incorporate an SME in Israel or Europe. 

– You are intending to invest in an eligible SME or a small mid-cap (if selected for funding, the contract will be signed with the eligible company).

Funding 

The funding offered is divided into two components: 

  1. Grant: Non-dilutive, up to EUR2.5 million, for innovation activities (TRL 5-8)
  2. Direct equity investment: Dilutive, up to EUR 15 million, for market deployment (TRL 9) and scale-up (above TRL 9)
  • Blended finance: A mix of a non-dilutive grant for innovation activities (TRL 5-8) and dilutive equity for market deployment (TRL 9).
  • Grant only: If you can prove sufficient financial means (e.g., revenue, investors, shareholders) to fund and scale your innovation.
  • Investment only: SMEs that have received a “grant only” in the past or are mid-cap companies.

Submission options 

  1. EIC Accelerator Open

Fully bottom-up projects, open to proposals in any field of technology 

  1. EIC Accelerator Challenges

For projects that match one of the pre-defined topics of the EIC Accelerator Challenges 

How to apply for the EIC Accelerator?

A diagram of a full proposal Description automatically generated

The application process includes 3 steps:

  1. Step 1 Short proposal                                                                                                                

Open for submission all year long and contains the following submittal items:

  • 12-page proposal in a structured template form of 7 questions about your innovation, potential market and team
  • 10-slide pitch-deck in a PDF format
  • An up to 3-minute-long video pitch featuring up to 3 core team members, presenting the motivation for your proposal

Evaluation: GO/NO GO feedback will be provided within 6 weeks by 4 independent evaluators. If you received at least 3 GOs out of 4, you will be invited to submit a full proposal (by the end of the next calendar year).

  1. Step 2  Full proposal 

Open for submission twice a year (according to predefined deadlines), for applicants who successfully passed Step 1. Includes the following submittal items:

  • 50-page proposal and annexes in a structured template form 
  • 10-minute long pitch-deck in a PDF format (can be more than 10 slides)
  • An up to 3-minute-long video pitch featuring up to 3 core team members, presenting the motivation for your proposal (you can use the same one as in Step 1 or upgrade it)

Evaluation: GO/NO GO feedback will be provided within 9 weeks by 3 evaluators. The decision needs to be unanimous.

Next cut-off date: 3 October 2024

  1. Step 3 Pitch and interview: Applicants who successfully passed Step 2 will be invited to face-to-face interviews in Brussels with an EIC jury as the final step in the selection process.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email