EIC Accelerator

Who can apply

Single start-ups and SMEs (including spin-outs), as well as natural persons or legal entities planning to establish an SME, can apply. Small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) can apply for the investment component only. Applicants must be based in an EU Member State or a country associated with the Horizon Europe programme.

Maximum support

Grant component below €2.5 million and equity investments from €1 to €10 million.

What can be paid for

• Innovation activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8
• TRL 9 activities for small mid-caps scale-up (investment only)
• Business Acceleration Services (mentoring, coaching, and networking)

Key conditions

• Grant innovation activities must be completed within 24 months.
• Applicants may submit only one application at a time.
• Grant only is provided only once during the Horizon Europe (2021-2027) programme period.
• Third-country applicants must relocate the company before submitting the full application.
• For blended finance, the investment component is evaluated and decided within 2 to 6 months.

How to apply

Application involves several steps, starting with a short proposal (a 12-page form, pitch deck, and 3-minute video) submitted at any time. If successful, a full proposal is prepared and submitted on the Funding and Tenders portal. Top-ranked applicants are then invited to an interview with an EIC Jury.