“A great opportunity for innovators looking for substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors alone to invest.“
Cheryl Scott, Industry and Innovation Lead

What is the EIC Accelerator ?

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.

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 (fewer than 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 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.

If your application meets all of the criteria, will be invited to the face to face interviews with an EIC jury as the final step in the selection process.

Next cut-offs and interviews dates:

  • 3 October 2024 – interviews: 13-17 January 2025
Further information
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