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Segler Consulting

The Difference Between Innovation and Features (EIC Accelerator)

January 17, 2020 • By Stephan Segler, PhD
EIC AcceleratorFundingHorizon EuropeSME Instrument / EIC Accelerator
Here are some tips regarding applications for the EU's start-up grant (up to €2,500,000 via grant + €15,000,000 through equity financing). 
The central component for the grant application is the innovative nature of the project, meaning that it not only addresses customer needs and has a significant market impact but is based on a unique technology or approach. This is key since it can be easy to confuse 'innovation' with a 'collection of features' and try to convince through narratives such as: 
  • "We do what competitors do but better"
  • "We have a wholesome approach that combines multiple existing features"
 
A unique technology (patented or not) must be difficult to copy and cannot be a simple extension of other existing products. The proposal must present a clear narrative by introducing a major problem in the introduction which then ties into your product or service through its unique value proposition. Afterwards, it addresses your strategy to overcome market barriers and describes how your customers needs relate to your innovation. The overall narrative should communicate: 
  • "We are the only company who can address the problem and meet customer needs"

 

 

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:

EIC Accelerator Step 1 Deadline 2025

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Days
00
Hours
00
Minutes
00
Seconds

EIC Accelerator Step 2 Deadline 2025

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12
March
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1
October
EIC Accelerator Step 2 Deadlines: March 12th 2025 and October 1st 2025

EIC Accelerator Step 3 Deadline 2025

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2
June
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?
January
EIC Accelerator Step 3 Interview Dates: Week of June 2nd 2025 and January 2026

 

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.

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.

EU, UK & US Startups: Alternative financing options for EU, UK and US innovation startups are the EIC Pathfinder (combining Future and Emerging Technologies - FET Open & FET Proactive) with €4M per project, Thematic Priorities, European Innovation Partnerships (EIP), Innovate UK with £3M (for UK-companies only) as well as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants with $1M (for US-companies only).

Any more questions? View the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

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