# EIC Accelerator

**Program Type:** Grant + Equity Investment  
**Focus:** Breakthrough innovation for single startups/SMEs  
**Funding Amount:** Up to €2.5M grant + optional equity up to €15M  
**Geographic Focus:** EU member states and associated countries

## Program Overview

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator supports individual startups and SMEs with breakthrough innovations that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. The program provides a blended finance approach combining grant and equity funding.

## Key Features

### Funding Structure
- **Grant Component**: Up to €2.5M
- **Equity Component**: Optional up to €15M (through EIC Fund)
- **Total Potential**: €17.5M per company
- **No repayment required** for grant portion

### Innovation Requirements
- **Breakthrough innovation**: High-risk, high-impact projects
- **Market-creating potential**: Opens new markets or radically transforms existing ones
- **Technology Readiness Level (TRL)**: 5-8 (from prototype to market-ready)
- **EU dimension**: Activities in EU or associated countries

### Applicant Profile
- **Single SMEs**: Individual companies (no consortia)
- **EU-based**: Registered in EU member state or associated country
- **Innovation capacity**: Strong technical and business teams
- **Growth potential**: Clear path to scale-up

## Application Process

### Stage 1: Short Application
- **Format**: Online submission
- **Requirements**:
  - Company description and team
  - Innovation description
  - Market opportunity
  - Go-to-market strategy
  - Financial projections
  - **Pitch deck**: Up to 10 slides in PDF format
  - **Video pitch**: Up to 3 minutes featuring core team members
- **Evaluation**: 4 weeks
- **Success Rate**: ~10-15% advance to Stage 2

### Stage 2: Full Application
- **Format**: Comprehensive business plan
- **Requirements**:
  - Detailed technical description
  - Full business plan with 5-year projections
  - IP strategy
  - Risk assessment and mitigation
  - Updated pitch deck (15 pages max)
  - Updated video pitch (3 minutes max)
  - **Ownership control declaration** (for equity component)
- **Evaluation**: 4-6 months
- **Success Rate**: ~20-25% receive funding

## Deadlines

- **Continuous intake**: Short applications can be submitted anytime
- **Full applications**: Periodic cut-off dates (check EIC website for 2026 dates)
- **Evaluation timeline**: 4-6 months from full application deadline

## Eligibility Criteria

### Company Requirements
- **Legal entity**: Registered company in EU or associated country
- **Size**: SME classification (<250 employees, <€50M turnover)
- **Independence**: Not controlled by non-SMEs
- **Innovation focus**: Breakthrough technology or business model

### Project Requirements
- **TRL 5-8**: From prototype validation to market-ready product
- **Market potential**: €50M+ market opportunity
- **EU competitiveness**: Addresses European challenges or opportunities
- **Sustainability**: Positive environmental or social impact preferred

### Team Requirements
- **Technical expertise**: Scientific or technical background relevant to innovation
- **Business acumen**: Entrepreneurial experience and market understanding
- **Growth mindset**: Capacity to scale rapidly
- **Diversity**: Balanced team composition

## Budget Categories

### Eligible Costs
- **Personnel costs**: Salaries, social security contributions
- **Travel and subsistence**: Business travel, conferences
- **Equipment and infrastructure**: Technical equipment, IT systems
- **Subcontracting**: Specialized services, testing, certification
- **Other specific costs**: Prototyping, IP protection, marketing

### Ineligible Costs
- **Debt servicing**: Interest payments, loan repayments
- **Land and buildings**: Real estate purchases
- **Operating losses**: Normal business operations
- **Marketing costs**: General advertising and promotion

## Success Factors

### Innovation Excellence
- **Technical breakthrough**: Novel technology or approach
- **Market disruption**: Creates new market or radically transforms existing one
- **Scalability**: Clear path to significant market share
- **IP protection**: Strong intellectual property position

### Business Excellence
- **Market understanding**: Deep customer insight and validation
- **Competitive advantage**: Sustainable differentiation
- **Financial viability**: Clear path to profitability
- **Team capability**: Experience and track record

### Impact Excellence
- **Economic impact**: Job creation, revenue generation
- **Societal impact**: Addresses major challenges
- **Environmental impact**: Positive sustainability outcomes
- **EU strategic alignment**: Supports European priorities

## Post-Funding Support

### Business Acceleration Services
- **Mentorship**: Access to experienced entrepreneurs and investors
- **Training**: Business development and scaling workshops
- **Networking**: Connection to ecosystem partners and customers
- **Investor relations**: Support for follow-on funding rounds

### Monitoring and Reporting
- **Progress reporting**: Quarterly technical and financial updates
- **Milestone tracking**: Achievement of agreed objectives
- **Risk management**: Proactive issue identification and resolution
- **Performance evaluation**: Impact assessment and success metrics

## Application Tips

### Preparation Phase
- **Market validation**: Customer interviews, prototype testing
- **Financial modeling**: Realistic revenue projections and cost structures
- **IP strategy**: Patent filing and protection strategy
- **Team building**: Key hires and advisory board formation

### Application Phase
- **Compelling story**: Clear value proposition and market opportunity
- **Technical credibility**: Demonstrated innovation and expertise
- **Business viability**: Realistic financial projections and go-to-market strategy
- **Impact demonstration**: Quantified environmental and social benefits

### Pitch Deck Essentials
- **Problem-solution fit**: Clear problem definition and innovative solution
- **Market opportunity**: Size, growth, and competitive landscape
- **Technology advantage**: Technical differentiation and barriers to entry
- **Business model**: Revenue streams and path to profitability
- **Team capability**: Experience and complementary skills
- **Financial projections**: Realistic growth trajectory and funding requirements

## Contact Information

- **Website**: [EIC Accelerator](https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en)
- **Application Portal**: Funding & Tenders Portal
- **Support**: National contact points and EIC advisors
- **Events**: Regular webinars and information sessions

## Related Programs

- **EIC Pathfinder**: For breakthrough technologies (TRL 1-4)
- **EIC Transition**: For innovation development (TRL 4-5)
- **Horizon Europe**: Broader EU research and innovation funding
- **National programs**: Country-specific startup funding

*Last updated: November 2025*