EIC Accelerator Step 1 Success Lessons

I just had a ChatEIC user reach out to me for help with the EIC Accelerator Step 2 because they passed Step 1 successfully, so I thought I would share some of my insights on the process since ChatEIC has been live for quite a few weeks now.

This is a brief case study on how applicants work with ChatEIC, an AI writing tool I developed for the EIC Accelerator, combined with my review service. That means the applicants got the Starter Pack, which includes detailed training materials and also opted for a full review of their proposal before the submission.

ChatEIC generates Step 1 proposals in minutes. The 1.0 version was quite simple, but the 2.0 version is more advanced, featuring detailed input validation to guide users on required data and AI-driven deep research to ensure well-referenced narratives, including market analysis and policy impact.

But even with these features, I still recommend using my personalized proposal review service since having a consultant with proven success in the EIC Accelerator proofread everything adds significant value.

Below, I summarize key lessons learned from common mistakes made in Step 1 applications, with a focus on projects that passed Step 1 successfully, helped by ChatEIC and my personal review service.

Commitment

I recently reviewed an evaluation report for a project that passed Step 1 but received negative comments about team commitment. Evaluators saw team members as mere part-time staff and insufficiently dedicated.

This surprised me, as I consistently flag commitment issues in my reviews. After going back and checking the proposal and my feedback, I found that the applicant had ignored my explicit warning, labeled "100% commitment for all team members. No exceptions!". This oversight introduced a major red flag, yet they successfully passed Step 1.

This highlights a recurring issue: applicants often fail to implement critical feedback.

Expertise

A frequent challenge for DeepTech companies is demonstrating commercial expertise, since they are often more technically oriented. I commonly advise applicants to align descriptions with commercial strengths.

For example, if a team member is a researcher, emphasize their experience in growing teams, scaling production, or collaborating with industry. For a CTO, highlight prior industry work or affiliations. While Step 1 may tolerate minor misalignments, it's risky to repeat such mistakes in Step 2.

A single mistake can lead to rejection, so ensuring sufficient commercial expertise is critical.

Commercial Strategy

The commercial strategy is often overlooked in the EIC Accelerator Step 1 template, but is scrutinized by evaluators. This discrepancy is frustrating, as applicants unfamiliar with the process may not know to include it. Initially, I omitted commercial strategies in Step 1 during 2023/2024, but after noticing evaluators' focus shifting in 2025, I began incorporating a short section in my proposals as well as ChatEIC.

A key distinction: a commercial strategy outlines how you reach customers and achieve sales (e.g., distribution, partnerships, sales channels, acquisition cycles, etc.), while a marketing strategy focuses on raising awareness (e.g., content, engagement, conferences, ads, etc.). Even the EIC (and its partners) get this wrong since one guidance document even claimed that a commercial strategy should consist of the marketing plan.

One ChatEIC applicant received criticism for their commercial strategy but still passed Step 1. A simple tip for Step 1 is to include partners who can distribute your product to demonstrate distribution, similar to how Letters of Intent (LOIs) demonstrate traction.

Such partnerships signal commercial reach, even if seasoned entrepreneurs might find this approach simplistic. In the EIC context, it's effective.

Risks

I want to commend a recent ChatEIC user who passed Step 1 and received praise for their risk section. It's surprising that the EIC Accelerator template omits a risk section, yet evaluators grade it harshly. This oversight feels almost intentional.

ChatEIC and my templates always include a risk section to address this, even if the official template omits it.

The approach for the risk section is straightforward: briefly describe risks and provide detailed mitigation plans. The EIC emphasizes high-risk projects but is more risk-averse than typical investors. Listing a significant but well-mitigated risk can still lead to criticism if not carefully framed.

The key is to include multiple risks, keep descriptions short, and pair them with long and comprehensive mitigation strategies. Evaluators dislike unaddressed risks, so thorough mitigation is essential.

There are many more lessons, but I will leave the rest for a future newsletter.

Get Support

Need help with the EIC Accelerator? Here are some options:

• Starter Pack (lowest-risk entry with AI writer): The Starter Pack contains all the templates you will need and detailed instructional modules in video and text form. This is a very comprehensive package that will tell you everything you need to know based on previously successful applications. This includes free credits for the EIC Accelerator AI writer, ChatEIC.

• Advisory (personalized support): You write in-house but receive personal 1-on-1 support from me, templates, instructions, and reviews of all documents. Personal strategy calls and reviews to perfect every section. This also includes an AI tool for Step 1 as well as guidance on using AI for the proposal writing. Strategy calls cover the specific templates as well as the EIC criteria and use of AI tools. Pitch coaching for the interviews and support for all resubmissions are included as well. Learn more (Rasph).

• Writing (complete end-to-end service): All proposal sections are written for you and submitted on your behalf with minimum input from your side. Pitch coaching for the interviews and support for all resubmissions are included as well. Learn more (Segler Consulting).

• Review (personal review): Get a personal review of your grant proposal with detailed comments. Learn more (Segler Consulting).

Other resources:

• Subsdy: Looking for the perfect grant opportunity in the EU? There are about 1,000 active grants and tenders (usually multiple added a day!), so feel free to try out Subsdy, the AI tool for grant discovery.

• Find the newest Grant Updates here: Subsdy News

• Sharing: Recommend this newsletter to a friend: Newsletter

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.

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.

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

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 2025 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 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 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, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Additional technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. 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

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

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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