EIC Accelerator Interviews: Step 2 vs. Step 3
This year, the EIC Accelerator Step 2 interviews were introduced as an additional evaluation stage within Step 2.
Here are my thoughts on how these new Step 2 interviews differ from the long-standing Step 3 interviews.
EIC Accelerator Interviews
Duration: The interview lasts 60 minutes instead of 35, and there is no pitch. That means the entire interview is pure Q&A, without the ability to present the technology or company.
Evaluator: The interview is conducted by a single evaluator, usually a consultant with at least adjacent experience in the field. By comparison, Step 3 uses a panel of five or more jury members, including programme managers and European Investment Bank representatives.
Focus: The interview sticks very closely to the actual proposal and does not follow the due-diligence or VC-style focus seen in the final Step 3 interviews. That means the interview is much more rigid and less free-flowing because the evaluator has to stick to the criteria and proposal structure, while the Step 3 jury members are usually able to ask whatever they like.
Format: The Step 2 interview is online, while the Step 3 interview is in person in Brussels.
How to Prepare
There are two things that are absolutely critical when preparing for these Step 2 interviews, and they differ from regular Step 3 interview preparation.
First, you have to know the EIC rules inside and out. In short, that means you have to understand:
Deep Tech: A sophisticated background that underlies your technology.
Hardware vs. Software: The body of work that forms the core of your IP and innovation.
Risk: The project must appear high risk while showing strong mitigations.
Team: Gender balance, hiring plans, and team development must be addressed.
TRL: TRL 5 must be completed, and the project should be positioned at TRL 6.
VC Strategy: The EIC Fund should act as a springboard for VC investment.
Grant Funding: Covers TRL 6–8 only.
Equity Funding: Covers TRL 6–9, but it is cleaner to focus on TRL 8–9.
Timing: The EIC Fund process typically takes 2–3 years.
Second, you have to know your proposal inside and out. You can view the interview as a quiz on the proposal to determine whether everything actually matches what the EIC is looking for, at least on paper.
That means even if you have not read the proposal in a while, you have to study it before the interview. If you did not write the proposal yourself, you must study it especially diligently.
Hell Yes or Hell No
The EIC Accelerator Step 1 has shown a divergence in how proposals are awarded go-or-no-go scores. Two scores are given to the proposal. The first is based on the evaluator comments, which rate each criterion as very good, average, or poor. The second is the go-or-no-go grade: each evaluator gives a single go or no-go, which then determines whether the applicant advances.
One is a qualitative decision that tells applicants how much the evaluators liked the proposal, while the other is a quantitative decision that tells the applicant whether the evaluators thought it could be funded.
The gap between these two scores seems to be growing because a very good qualitative score does not directly guarantee a pass in Step 1, and vice versa.
A proposal can receive a go in Step 1 even though its qualitative score is below that of another proposal that was rejected.
This suggests that the EIC has started to implement more of a gut-feel, go-or-no-go scoring system that looks at the overall proposal and whether this is a technology the EIC would like to have in its portfolio, rather than just trying to grade homework.
Of course, the two scores are still related because a very well-written proposal is likely to receive a go, while a poor proposal is less likely to. But it is still an observation to keep track of because it suggests that the EIC might drop the qualitative grading and simply settle for the go-or-no-go.
Prepare Your Application
Need help with the EIC Accelerator or other grants? Here are some options:
- Starter Pack (lowest-risk entry via AI writer ChatEIC and content)
- Advisory (personalized guidance to help you write)
- Co-Writing (full proposal writing with continuous client alignment)
- Writing (complete end-to-end service, including writing and submission)
- Review (personal proposal review by an expert)
Other resources:
- Baibylon: Your AI Agent Inbox
- Subsdy (AI grant discovery)
- My Subsdy Profile
- Newsletter (share this newsletter with a colleague)
- Subscribe via Telegram (get updates in the Telegram channel)
- Flaxd: Strategic Startup Consulting
These tips are not only useful for European startups, professional writers, consultants and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) but are generally recommended when writing a business plan or investor documents.
Deadlines: Post-Horizon 2020, the EIC Accelerator accepts Step 1 submissions now while the deadlines for the full applications (Step 2) under Horizon Europe are listed below. The Step 1 applications must be submitted weeks in advance of Step 2. The next EIC Accelerator cut-off for Step 2 (full proposal) can be found here. After Brexit, UK companies can still apply to the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe albeit with non-dilutive grant applications only - thereby excluding equity-financing. Switzerland has resumed its participation in Horizon Europe and is now eligible for the EIC Accelerator.
EIC Accelerator Step 1 Deadline 2025
Contact: You can reach out to us via this contact form to work with a professional consultant.
AI Grant Writer: ChatEIC is a fully automated EIC Accelerator grant proposal writer: Get it here.
EIC Accelerator: EIC Accelerator delivers flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The initiative targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees. Technology areas include Biotech, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. Get Started
EIC Pathfinder: EIC Pathfinder delivers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The initiative requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Primary technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials. Get Started
EIC Transition: EIC Transition delivers up to €2.5 million in funding to overcome the 'valley of death' gap between laboratory research and market deployment, emphasizing technology maturation and validation. The initiative supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Key technology domains include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics. Get Started
EIC STEP Scale-Up: EIC STEP Scale-Up delivers significant equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies prepared for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The initiative targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have obtained pre-commitment from qualified investors. Primary focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero objectives, and Biotechnologies. Get Started
EIC Pre-Accelerator: EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a pilot initiative delivering €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. This program is exclusively accessible to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to foster regional innovation development. The initiative encompasses deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains. Get Started
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges: EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges represents a new pilot initiative delivering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech innovations through ARPA-style staged funding mechanisms with integrated demand-side engagement. This initiative targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Primary focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics applications and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, with TRL 4 entry requirements and demonstrated end-user commitment. Get Started
Eureka Network: The Eureka Network delivers various international collaborative R&D initiatives such as Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, providing funding from €50K to €6.75M per project based on the specific initiative. This network emphasizes market-driven innovation and deep-tech advancement across multiple technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Eligible participants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars particularly focused on R&D-performing SMEs. Get Started
Eurostars: Eurostars represents a joint EU-Eureka initiative delivering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program adopts a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities. Get Started
Innovation Partnership: Innovation Partnership enables collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The initiative supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects concentrate on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches. Get Started
Innovation Fund: The EU Innovation Fund delivers substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The initiative targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible participants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects. Get Started
Innovate UK: Innovate UK delivers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular emphasis on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization. Get Started
Industrial Partnership: Industrial Partnership delivers €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The initiative supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Get Started
LIFE Programme: The LIFE Programme delivers €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The initiative supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Eligible participants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges. Get Started
Neotec: Neotec represents a Spanish initiative delivering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence. Get Started
Thematic Priorities: EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas. Get Started
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