Frequently Asked Questions

The 'Green Deal' impact criterion was initially introduced for the May 2020 cut-off. However, the selection of Green Deal goals via checkboxes will likely remain for future deadlines, so always check the latest template.

You specify the Green Deal goals your project addresses by selecting the appropriate checkboxes in the 'Call Specific Questions' section of the application form. Be sure to choose all that apply to your project.

The new proposal template was released in March 2020 in preparation for the Green Deal deadline. You can find it on the official EIC website or application portal. Always download the latest version before starting your application to ensure you meet all requirements.

If you are resubmitting to a subsequent deadline, it's crucial to review the latest template and update your application to reflect any changes. This ensures your application meets the current requirements.

Each updated template includes a list of changes at the beginning of the document. This list highlights the new requirements and modifications, making it easier to update your application accordingly.

You must select the relevant Green Deal goals via checkboxes in the 'Call Specific Questions' section. Also, in the 'Impact' section, you need to detail and quantify your project's impact on the EU's Green Deal, providing explanations and references to support your claims.

The new investment guidelines for the EIC Fund were expected to be published at the end of March 2021. Review these guidelines carefully to understand the fund's investment priorities and criteria.

No, the pitch deck you create for Step 1 will not be used during the Step 3 interview. Prepare a separate presentation tailored to the interview format and focus on the key aspects they will be evaluating.

The due diligence process for equity investments from the EIC Fund typically takes around 3-4 months. This involves a thorough review of your company's financials, technology, and market potential.

The AI Tool designed to assist with Step 2 of the EIC Accelerator was expected to be ready in mid-April 2021. Check the EIC platform for updates on its availability and functionality.

NCPs will have a stronger role, receiving your application upon submission. However, their involvement might be optional, so clarify the specific procedures and support available in your region.

The EIC envisions integrating consultants into their platform in the long term, potentially for a fee. The platform also aims to connect startups with Venture Capitalists (VCs) and loan agencies to facilitate funding opportunities.

No, there won't be a specific template for the Step 1 pitch deck. However, a guide for creating the pitch video will be provided to help you structure your presentation effectively.

Ensure each document contains the core elements of your project: the problem, your solution, the market opportunity, and your team. Tailor the presentation of these elements to the specific medium.

The goal is to make a strong first impression. Since you can't predict which document the evaluator will review first, each one needs to be compelling and informative enough to stand on its own.

The key is to think about *how* you present the information, not just *what* you present. Use each medium's strengths to your advantage. The written proposal is for detail, the deck for visuals, and the video for the human touch.

The pitch video should focus on the human element, showcasing the team's mission, motivation, and the vision behind the project. It's an opportunity to paint a picture of how the innovation will change the world.

Having too much content is common. Use the different media to your advantage by presenting different angles or emphases of your project. This allows you to cover more ground without exceeding space limitations.

No, there isn't a strict structure. This allows for flexibility in how you present your information. However, ensure each document includes a clear problem statement, introduction, or motivation to provide context.

The written proposal should be precise, quantified, and in-depth. It needs to provide a technical understanding of the innovation, the team, and the market opportunity. Use numbers and ensure your narrative is well-supported.

Download the watermarked PDF file from the Funding and Tender Portal after submitting. Check if the design elements in the margins are still visible and appear as intended. This ensures your design translates well in the final submission format.

Yes, always include page numbers in your proposal. This makes it easier for evaluators to navigate and reference specific sections of your document. It's a basic but essential element of professional document formatting.

For more information on the different documents required, refer to the article "Writing an EIC Accelerator Application: Microsoft Word vs. Adobe InDesign (SME Instrument Writing)." This resource provides valuable insights into structuring and formatting each document effectively.

Use blue for hyperlinks to external webpages. For cross-references within the document, use a different color like orange, purple, or grey to distinguish them. This helps the reader quickly understand the link's destination.

Structure your bookmarks to reflect the document hierarchy. Use the document numbers (e.g., Document 1, Document 2) as the top-level hierarchy so that the structure is retained when the documents are merged into a single PDF. Then, nest the sections and subsections accordingly.

While the written content is the primary focus, the overall impression (consistency, quality, and design) is also important. A well-designed proposal can even improve your score after a resubmission, even without changes to the text itself.

Hyperlinks, cross-references, and bookmarks make your proposal more interactive and easier to navigate. They show attention to detail and help avoid repetition by linking related sections, such as Risk Mitigation Strategies to Market Barriers and Risk Analysis. This improves the reader's experience and can increase your chances of success.

Introduce figures and tables at the end of a sentence in brackets (e.g., Table 1 & Figure 2). This encourages you to explain the concept in the text first, rather than relying solely on the reader looking at the visual aid.

Check out part 2 of this blog post series for more in-depth formatting tips. The link to the article will be available once it's published, so keep an eye out for it.

Yes, using colors strategically can be very effective. Use colors like red and green to intuitively highlight certain aspects of your proposal, such as competitive differentiators, market problems, or Unique Selling Points (USPs).

Overdoing formatting can be distracting to evaluators. Aim for a balance where formatting enhances readability without overwhelming the text. Prioritize a clean and professional look that allows the content to shine.

Incorporate symbols like checkmarks, crosses, or numbered lists to visually separate list items from the main text. This creates a clearer structure and enhances readability. Use colors strategically to highlight key aspects like competitive differentiators or USPs.

Use indents to improve readability, especially for separating headers and paragraphs. They're also useful for short lists. However, avoid excessive indents if space is limited, especially in lengthy lists spanning multiple pages.

While the official proposal template suggests a minimum of 11 pt font size, you can use 9 pt for footnotes and graphics without any issues. This helps to differentiate them from the main body of text.

Format headers according to their hierarchy. Header 1 should be the most prominent, while Header 5 should resemble regular text. Use varying font sizes, backgrounds, or underlining to visually distinguish the headers.

The equity contribution is primarily aimed at high-risk companies with limited or no revenue and negative EBITDA. Profitable companies seeking scaling support may not be the ideal target for this type of financing.

The EIC Accelerator guidelines suggest offering a minority ownership stake. This should be at least 10% and can go up to a maximum of 25% of your company.

The maximum grant amount you can request from the EIC Accelerator is €2.5 million. This is separate from the potential equity contribution, which can be up to €15 million.

Funding for product deployment and marketing activities is typically better suited for equity financing. If you request a grant for these activities, it might be deemed ineligible or transferred to the equity financing option.

You need to describe your plans for the company's future, including potential exit strategies like buyouts, IPOs, or liquidations. The EU is looking for a return on investment within 7-10 years, with a maximum timeframe of 15 years.

You need to describe how your company's valuation has progressed (if applicable) and provide future projections. Include the reasoning and data supporting these projections to demonstrate a clear understanding of your company's potential growth.

Understanding and clearly articulating customer needs is crucial. Your proposal must demonstrate a deep understanding of the problem you're solving for your target customers and how your innovation directly addresses those needs in a superior way compared to existing solutions.

Start by clearly introducing a major problem that your project addresses. Then, tie that problem directly to your product or service through its unique value proposition. Finally, explain your strategy for overcoming market barriers and how your innovation specifically meets customer needs.

The EIC Accelerator offers significant funding opportunities for startups. You can potentially receive up to €2,500,000 in grant funding, along with the possibility of up to €15,000,000 through equity financing. This makes it a valuable resource for scaling innovative projects.

While improvements are good, the EIC Accelerator prioritizes truly innovative solutions. If your technology is similar, you need to clearly demonstrate a fundamental difference or a breakthrough that makes it significantly more effective or disruptive than existing alternatives. Quantify the improvement whenever possible.

Your overall narrative should communicate that your company is uniquely positioned to address the identified problem and meet customer needs. Emphasize what makes your approach different and why other solutions fall short. Show that you are the only company who can truly solve the problem.

Market barriers are the obstacles that prevent your product or service from reaching its full potential in the market. These can include competition, regulations, or lack of awareness. Your proposal should outline a clear strategy for overcoming these barriers and achieving market success.

Instead of focusing on 'doing what competitors do but better' or combining existing features, clearly articulate the unique technology or approach that sets your project apart. Show how this unique element directly solves a major problem and meets customer needs in a way that others can't.

Your unique value proposition is the specific benefit that customers receive from your product or service that they cannot get anywhere else. It's the reason why customers choose you over competitors and should be directly linked to your innovative technology or approach.

The EIC wants to understand why your project specifically requires EU funding and support. Clearly articulate the unique value and impact of EU involvement, highlighting aspects like cross-border collaboration, addressing European challenges, or creating jobs within the EU.