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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The grant's core objective is to support the commercialisation of new, disruptive technologies by European companies with high growth potential. It aims to help businesses bridge the gap from innovation to market, creating new markets or fundamentally changing existing ones.
Target recipients are primarily 'top-SMEs' and small mid-caps, including natural persons planning to establish such entities.
This grant is SECTOR-AGNOSTIC, though it also includes thematic calls in European priority areas.
The geographic scope covers EU Member States and countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme. Projects are expected to have an international impact.
Key initial screening criteria include: demonstrating disruptive innovation, focusing on market-oriented solutions, having high growth potential, and achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher.
The grant operates through recurring open calls with periodic cut-off dates for full proposals, forming a key part of the broader Horizon Europe program.

Financial Structure

Grant Component: Up to €2.5 million.
Grant Funding Rate: The grant is limited to covering 70% of eligible project costs, implying a 30% co-financing requirement from the applicant.
Equity/Risk Capital Component: Ranges from €0.5 million to €10 million through the EIC Fund. Higher amounts may be available for technologies deemed of European strategic interest.
Total EIC Fund Investment Range: The EIC Fund generally invests between €0.5 million and €15 million per company.
Funding Types: Support can be provided as a 'grant only' or as 'blended finance' (a combination of grant funding and direct equity participation or quasi-equity instruments such as convertible loans).
Eligible Costs: Innovation activities within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-8 are eligible for the grant component. Activities above TRL 8 are eligible for the equity component.
Ineligible Costs: Basic research and pure development activities are explicitly excluded from this funding instrument.
Payment Mechanism: An initial pre-financing payment is provided upon the signing of the Grant Agreement for the grant component.
Financial Guarantees: A due diligence process is required for proposals applying for blended finance.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Size

Eligible: Single SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise), Single Small Mid-cap (eligible for investment component only), or an Individual (natural person) with plans to establish an SME.
SME Definition:
Employs fewer than 250 persons.
Has an annual turnover of no more than €50 million OR an annual balance sheet total of no more than €43 million.
For non-autonomous companies (e.g., those with a participation relationship of 25% or more with other companies), these criteria must be met on a consolidated basis.
Exceptions to the consolidated calculation are permitted for larger shareholdings by venture capital companies, public participation companies, universities, or non-profit research centers.
Small Mid-cap Definition:
Employs fewer than 500 persons.
Otherwise meets all other criteria of the SME definition (turnover/balance sheet).

Geographic and Legal

Applicants must be legal entities registered in EU Member States or countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme.
For applicants from third countries, relocation of the company to an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country is required before submitting the full application (Step 2).
Applicants from the United Kingdom are eligible to apply only for the 'grant only' scheme.

Project Stage and Focus

The project must have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 (technology demonstration).
Funding targets innovation activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8 (for the grant component).
Activities beyond TRL 8 are eligible exclusively for the equity (investment) component.
Ineligible: Basic research or pure development, as these are supported under other Horizon Europe pillars or regional subsidies.

Funder Relationship

Applicants may submit only one application to the EIC Accelerator at any given time.
Subsequent applications are permitted only after receiving the results of a previous submission.
A 'grant only' award can be received only once during the Horizon Europe programme implementation period (2021-2027).

Application Process

Application Stages and Timeline

Step 1: Short Proposal Submission (Pre-proposal)
Submission: Can be submitted at any time via the tender & portal.
Evaluation: Applications are grouped and evaluated on the first Tuesday of each month.
Feedback: Typically provided within 4-6 weeks.
Outcome: A 'GO' (invitation to prepare a full proposal) or 'NO-GO'.
Step 2: Full Proposal Submission
Eligibility: Requires a 'GO' from Step 1.
Submission: Can be submitted at any time, but evaluations are grouped by periodic cut-off dates.
2025 Cut-off Dates: March 12, 2025 and October 1, 2025.
Evaluation: Conducted remotely by three EIC expert evaluators.
Results: Expected within 8-9 weeks.
Outcome: A 'GO' (invitation to interview) or 'NO-GO'.
Step 3: Interview
Eligibility: Requires a 'GO' from Step 2.
Format: A pitch presentation to an EIC jury in Brussels.
Schedule: Takes place within 4-5 weeks after receiving Step 2 results.
Interview Dates for 2025 Cut-offs: March 12 cut-off interviews are June 2-6, 2025. October 1 cut-off interviews are January 19-23, 2026.
Results: Provided within 2-3 weeks after the interview.
Step 4: Negotiation and Due Diligence
For 'grant only' proposals: Grant Agreement signing and first pre-financing payment are initiated.
For 'blended finance' proposals: Additional flexibility to negotiate an investment component of up to €2 million is provided. Relevant project information is forwarded to the EIC Fund for investment assessment. The due diligence process can take 2-6 months.

Required Documentation and Materials

For Short Proposal (Step 1):
A concise summary of the proposal.
Responses to specific questions regarding the innovation, market potential, and team.
A pitch-deck (maximum 10 slides in PDF format).
A video pitch (up to 3 minutes long), featuring core team members (up to 3) explaining the motivation behind the proposal.
For Full Proposal (Step 2):
A comprehensive full business plan.
An updated pitch deck (in PDF format).
A 3-minute video pitch.

Support and Assistance

National Contact Points (NCPs): Offer guidance, practical information, and general assistance.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Provides support with partner searches, understanding European regulations, and navigating access to European funding.
Business Acceleration Services (BAS): Offers comprehensive support including coaching, mentoring, networking opportunities, and matchmaking events to connect beneficiaries with global partners and innovation ecosystems.
Seal of Excellence: High-quality proposals that meet all criteria but are not funded may receive a Seal of Excellence, which can aid in securing alternative funding sources.

Evaluation Criteria

The EIC Accelerator uses a 'go/no-go' evaluation system, meaning no scores are assigned, and success at each stage is mandatory to proceed. Innovation and Disruptive Potential

The project must demonstrate 'disruptive innovation' and be a 'game changer', aiming to launch a new market or profoundly alter an existing one.
Applications are assessed on their potential for high growth and ability to achieve significant international impact.
Emphasis is placed on the business's strong commitment to innovation and value creation.

Market and Team Readiness

Proposals are evaluated on the potential size and viability of their target market.
The capability of the core team to effectively execute the proposed innovation and scale up operations is critical.
Successful applicants must pitch their proposal directly to an EIC jury.

Strategic Alignment and Impact

Projects must clearly align with the EIC Accelerator's primary goal of facilitating the commercialisation of innovative technologies.
Proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute to and strengthen the European innovation ecosystem.
The grant aims to support high-risk innovations that private investors might be hesitant to fund independently.
For thematic calls, preference is given to projects that specifically address pre-defined topics of strategic importance to Europe.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Applicants must strictly adhere to the specific criteria of the European SME definition.

Risk Management and Intellectual Property

While specific IP policies are not detailed, the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) due diligence is emphasized as a key factor for SME success in grant-related communications.
The grant is specifically designed to address 'high-risk' innovation, bridging critical funding gaps where private investors may be reluctant due to perceived risk.

Unique Aspects

Blended Finance: This distinctive feature combines direct grant funding with equity investment, offering flexible financial support tailored to deep-tech commercialisation.
Strategic Interest Focus: Projects aligned with European strategic interests may be eligible for higher equity investment amounts.
Fast Track/Plug-In Schemes: Special provisions allow projects originating from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects, or certified national/regional programs, to bypass initial application stages and proceed directly to the full proposal phase, subject to review.
Patient Capital: The EIC Fund employs a 'patient capital' approach, providing long-term, risk-tolerant investment intended to de-risk projects and attract further private and public co-investments.

Cross-cutting Considerations

The program actively encourages and welcomes applications from innovators across all EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe.
There is a particular emphasis on encouraging applications from start-ups and SMEs led by female CEOs.

Grant Details