European Innovation Council: EIC Accelerator

Overview

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

What for

Develop and scaleup innovations

Develop and scaleup innovations with the potential to create or disrupt markets (TRL 6-8). Patient capital principle.

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.

Grants and investments

Lump sum contribution below € 2.5 million, for innovation activities (TRL 6-8), to be completed within 24 months.

• Grant only - for start-ups and SMEs with capacity to scale-up. To be provided only once during the implementation period of the Horizon Europe programme (2021-2027) 

EIC Accelerator Challenges

• For projects that match any of the pre-defined topics of the EIC Accelerator Challenges. The overall budget in 2025 is €250 million.

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 2025 is €384 million.

Investment component

To fill the gap for high - risk innovation to a stage where they can be fully financed by other investments. € 0.5 - € 10 million. Higher amounts available in STEP ScaleUP (LINK)

• Blended finance: a grant component & direct equity or quasi-equity such as convertible loans.
• Investment only: for mid caps companies and companies that have received a «grant only».

Successful applicants also receive 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: