Frequently Asked Questions

Initially, the platform included a non-binary gender option. However, the EIC has reverted to a single 'Unspecified' option, which is treated as male. This change addresses the complexities of balancing gender identification with the EU's gender equality agenda.

One notable change is the automatic coverage of the 30% co-financing of the grant by the equity financing if blended financing is selected. Also, applicants need to estimate the co-financing of their Series A round and identify outside contributors.

Yes, if you select blended financing and request equity from the EIC Fund, that equity will be in addition to the 30% of the grant contribution that is automatically covered by the equity financing. This allows you to potentially secure more funding overall.

After submitting your Phase 1 application, expect to wait approximately 4 to 8 weeks to receive the results. Keep this timeframe in mind when planning your project timeline.

Once your Phase 1 application is approved, it generally takes 6 to 12 weeks for the grant agreement contract to be signed and the initial grant funds to be disbursed. This includes administrative processing time.

Each resubmission adds about 3 months to the total time needed to receive the grant. This is due to the spacing between application deadlines, so it's best to submit a strong application the first time.

The fastest possible timeline assumes a successful application on the first try. In this scenario, you could potentially receive Phase 1 funding within approximately 4-6 months from the start of application preparation.

From the start of application preparation to receiving the grant, Phase 1 can take approximately 4-6 months, depending on the exact timing of deadlines and processing times.

Focus on the functional aspects and benefits of your technology rather than divulging specific algorithms or trade secrets. Frame your descriptions in terms of outcomes and advantages. You can also explore using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) if necessary.

Prioritize the most critical features and milestones. Use concise language to describe each element, focusing on its importance and impact. Consider using diagrams or tables to present complex information efficiently.

Provide detailed explanations of your technology's features and benefits. Highlight your team's accomplishments and the challenges you've overcome. Showcase your deep understanding of the technology and its applications.

Avoid oversimplification. List all significant milestones that led you to the current stage of development. This demonstrates the progress and effort invested in the project, showcasing your team's dedication and expertise.

Yes, include relevant technical specifications to support your claims. Provide data sheets, performance metrics, or other evidence to demonstrate the capabilities of your technology. Ensure that the specifications are accurate and up-to-date.

Focus on the benefits and impact of your technology. Explain how it solves a problem or addresses a need. Use visuals, such as diagrams or charts, to illustrate complex concepts and make your proposal more visually appealing.

Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon when possible. Define any technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the evaluator. Structure your explanations logically and provide context for each feature or milestone.

Always state clearly why your technology is superior. Focus on specific advantages and benefits that your technology offers over competing solutions. Back up your claims with evidence or data whenever possible to strengthen your argument.

Clearly state the current stage of development and outline the remaining steps. Highlight the progress you've made and the expected timeline for completion. Emphasize the potential impact of the technology once it's fully developed.

A superior user experience can be a significant differentiator. While being ahead of the competition is ideal, a much better UX can attract users who are dissatisfied with existing solutions. Focus on highlighting and improving the user experience.

Being significantly cheaper can be a strong advantage, even without complete uniqueness. Cost is a major factor for many customers, so a lower price point can drive adoption and market share. Make sure your cost advantage is sustainable.

Market demand means that there are enough potential customers who genuinely need and want your product or service. They should have a tangible reason to choose your offering over existing alternatives, such as lower cost, higher quality, or a unique feature they can't find elsewhere.

A small market can be a challenge. While uniqueness is important, a lack of demand can hinder growth and sustainability. Consider if the market can be expanded or if the unique aspect justifies a higher price point that a smaller, niche market would pay.

Conduct market research through surveys, interviews, and analyzing existing market data. Look for evidence that people are actively seeking solutions to the problem your project addresses. Analyze competitor offerings and identify unmet needs.

I primarily look for two key components: whether the project is ahead of the competition with a unique aspect, and if there's a strong market demand for the product or service being offered. These factors help determine if the application has a good chance of success.

It's crucial. Your project needs to offer something unique or innovative compared to existing solutions. This could be a novel feature, a more efficient process, or a completely new approach to solving a problem. Aim for a 'leap' from the current state of the art.

Ideally, you want both a unique offering and strong market demand. However, a very strong advantage in one area can sometimes compensate for a weakness in the other. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your project holistically.

Think about the specific benefits your product offers to potential customers. Will it save them time, money, or effort? Does it solve a problem they currently face? The more concrete and compelling the benefit, the stronger the 'tangible reason' to buy.

Uniqueness can manifest in many ways. It could be a proprietary technology, a novel user interface, a unique business model, or a significantly improved performance metric compared to existing solutions. The key is that it sets you apart.

Look for commitments from retailers or companies if you're targeting businesses (B2B). For consumer products (B2C), try to secure pre-sales or gauge interest through surveys and market research. Positive responses indicate a potential market for your product.

Being in the prototype stage means you have a working model of your product or app. This model should demonstrate the core functionality and allow you to gather feedback. It's about proving your concept is viable before investing heavily in full-scale development.

Demonstrate that your product works as intended and meets its design specifications. Conduct tests to validate its performance, durability, and safety. Gather data to support your claims and showcase its unique features.

Once you've validated your prototype and gathered positive feedback, you can move on to the next stage of development. This might involve securing funding, scaling up production, or launching your product to a wider audience. Celebrate your progress and keep iterating based on user feedback.

Feedback is crucial because it helps you identify areas for improvement and validate your assumptions. It ensures you're building something that meets user needs and solves a real problem. Use feedback to refine your prototype and increase its chances of success.

While not always essential, retailer commitments provide strong validation of your product's potential. It shows that businesses are willing to invest in your product and believe it will be successful. Focus on building relationships with potential retailers and showcasing the benefits of your prototype.

Analyze the feedback carefully to identify patterns and trends. Prioritize the most important issues and develop a plan to address them. Use the feedback to iterate on your prototype and make it even better.

Focus on feedback related to the app's effectiveness and user experience. Ask users if the app helps them achieve their goals, if it's easy to use, and if they encounter any bugs or frustrations. Quantify the benefits if possible, like cost savings or time efficiency.

If your prototype lowers costs, calculate the percentage or absolute value of the savings. If it improves efficiency, measure the time saved or the increase in output. Use concrete data to demonstrate the value proposition of your solution.

Don't be discouraged! It simply means you need to focus on gathering more feedback and validating your concept. Consider offering free trials or demos to attract users and generate interest. Use their feedback to improve your prototype and increase its appeal.

Don't just cut footage together. Use small editing techniques like stock footage, effects, and titles to enhance the video's quality. Aim to create an entertaining video that captures the viewer's attention from start to finish. The goal is for evaluators to find the project interesting and the team impressive.

Embrace remote collaboration. Use video conferencing tools to conduct interviews and record footage. Consider having team members record short video clips individually and then edit them together. Be flexible and adapt your approach to accommodate their location constraints.

The goal is for the evaluators to think, "Wow, the project seems really interesting and the team seems great!" The video should leave a positive impression of both the project's potential and the team's competence and motivation. A bland video might negatively impact the first impression.

The EIC Accelerator pitch video is limited to 3 minutes, so a well-written script is crucial. It ensures you cover all relevant project aspects concisely, allowing for easy editing without losing the storyline. A strong script acts as a reliable guide for the video editor, ensuring a cohesive narrative even if parts are cut.

While extensive coaching may not be possible, provide general guidance on body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Encourage them to speak passionately about their project and its potential impact. Authenticity is key, so help them find ways to showcase their genuine enthusiasm.

Video editing is valuable for giving the footage a professional look and grabbing the viewer's attention. While professional production quality isn't a requirement, editing can significantly enhance the video's impact. Use editing to create a clear narrative, highlight key information, and maintain viewer engagement.

Focus on good lighting, a clean background, and stable camera work. Natural light is often best, and a simple, uncluttered background can make a big difference. Use a tripod or stable surface to avoid shaky footage. Ensure the audio is clear and free of background noise.

Recognize that each client has a unique starting point regarding content creation. Some may have extensive footage, while others have none. Tailor your approach to their specific needs and available resources. Also, consider the nature of their technology, as some are easier to visualize in video than others.

Your abstract should concisely summarize your project, following a structured approach: Problem, Market Pain Point & Competitors, Your Solution, Your Current State, Your Commercial & Market Impact, and EU Benefits. Ensure every sentence is packed with relevant information.

The EU regularly publishes a list of all evaluators involved in the SME Instrument program. Check the official EU funding portal or related documentation to find the most up-to-date list.

The acronym serves as a short project identifier, while the tagline provides a concise overview of your project. Both are crucial for quickly communicating the essence of your proposal to evaluators and, if funded, to the public.

Yes, if your project receives funding, the abstract, acronym, and tagline you provide will be published by the EU. Ensure they accurately and effectively represent your project.

The keywords you select determine the background and expertise of the evaluators assigned to review your proposal. Choose keywords that accurately reflect your project's focus to ensure appropriate evaluation.