Frequently Asked Questions

The EIC template can be overcrowded with information, potentially turning the pitch deck into a text-heavy document. This can make it difficult to convey a simple, inspiring message to the jury.

The SlideBean approach omits aspects like company mission and risk mitigation, focusing instead on telling a captivating story. It prioritizes clarity and engagement over overwhelming the audience with facts.

Justification for EU funding can be added to the last slide of the pitch deck, or simply addressed during the Q&A session. The jury will likely ask about it anyway.

The EIC Accelerator pitch interview is part of the evaluation process where startups and SMEs are questioned by a jury from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Agency for SMEs (EASME). It's a chance to present your project and answer questions to justify your application for funding.

While there was a template created in 2017, it is now considered outdated. The European Commission doesn't provide a strict, in-depth guideline, so applicants need to be creative and adapt their pitch decks to the specific project.

The SlideBean approach focuses on a leaner structure and storytelling. Key slides include problem, solution, product, market size, business model, underlying magic, competition, differentiators, marketing, team, and traction & milestones.

The SlideBean approach is recommended because it prioritizes storytelling and a leaner structure. This helps to keep the jury engaged and makes it easier to convey a clear message.

Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are technologies considered essential for driving innovation and economic growth. Some EU grant programs prioritize projects that utilize or develop KETs. Check if the funding call emphasizes KETs and highlight their relevance in your application if applicable.

Yes, some EU grant programs specifically target projects related to the Green Deal. These programs aim to support companies and initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability and address climate change. Look for calls that explicitly mention the Green Deal or related environmental objectives.

The EIC Accelerator has a strong support network of professional writers and expert consultancies. These professionals can provide guidance and assistance with preparing a compelling application. Consider contacting a professional writer specializing in EU grant applications to improve your chances of success.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) indicates the maturity of your technology. The EIC Accelerator requires projects to be at a certain TRL, demonstrating that the technology is beyond the initial research phase and closer to commercialization. Understand the required TRL for the call and ensure your project meets the criteria.

While EU grants offer significant funding, explore national or regional grant programs as well. These local alternatives often have less competition and may have requirements that better suit your startup. Consider the Cyprus Entrepreneurship Fund (CYPEF) as an example of a national program supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The topic of the funding call is the single most important aspect. It defines what the evaluators are looking for and which companies have the highest chance of success. Carefully review the call's focus area and ensure your project aligns with its objectives.

Currently, the EIC Accelerator is designed for single applicants only. You cannot apply as a consortium of multiple companies. While the predecessor program, SME Instrument, allowed consortia, the EIC Accelerator as of 2020 requires a single company to lead the application.

The EIC Accelerator focuses on innovative and disruptive projects from for-profit businesses that have reached a certain Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The program looks for companies with high-growth potential and groundbreaking ideas that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones. Make sure your project aligns with these criteria to increase your chances of success.

Yes, applying in your native language can significantly simplify the application process for local grants. This can help you better articulate your project and avoid potential misunderstandings. However, always confirm the official language requirements of the specific grant program.

The number of times you can apply depends on the specific funding call. Some calls have restrictions due to limited cut-off dates or imposed freeze-periods. Check the specific rules of the grant program to understand if re-submissions are allowed and plan your application strategy accordingly.

The EIC Accelerator blended financing, formerly known as SME Instrument Phase 2, provides both grant and equity financing to startups and SMEs. It offers substantial financial support, up to €17.5 million, along with coaching to help businesses grow and scale their innovative technologies within the EU.

Keep an eye on official announcements from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Commission (EC). Regularly check their websites and subscribe to newsletters for the latest updates on proposal requirements, funding opportunities, and related developments.

One proposed solution is to leverage online form fields for direct input of cost items, subcontractor details, and budget allocations. This would enable algorithms to quickly assess the information and track project progress more efficiently, reducing the burden on evaluators.

The suggestion is to create dedicated calls for projects aligned with specific political targets, such as a 'Green Deal Call' for environmental projects. This approach would allow for fair evaluation within each call, ensuring that all applicants are assessed against the same criteria.

Financial projections, costs, and work packages could be visualized using automatically generated charts, similar to platforms like Eurostat. This would make applications leaner and allow the implementation section to focus on tasks, risks, and team members rather than financials.

The concept involves creating an online platform where past EIC Accelerator applicants can participate in pitch sessions outside the standard application process. This would provide additional opportunities for companies to secure funding and connect with investors.

This refers to the possibility of allowing companies to apply directly for equity financing with an open budget, accessing a pool of private investors. This would offer an alternative to the current blended finance model, which combines grants and equity.

The EIC Accelerator program is designed for startups and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that are developing highly innovative technologies with the potential for significant impact. The program aims to support these companies in scaling up and commercializing their innovations.

There's a push to ensure that the evaluation criteria primarily focus on innovation, business models, and financial success. Currently, projects addressing societal challenges or with female CEOs may receive preferential treatment, which some argue obscures the focus on core business fundamentals.

The EIC Accelerator may evolve by separating grant and equity options, becoming a VC-Hub for past applicants, adjusting evaluation criteria to focus on core business aspects, and simplifying bureaucracy through better use of online forms and data visualization.

Yes, securing €2.5 million in non-dilutive grant financing is still a significant opportunity for UK startups and SMEs. It can provide crucial resources for research, development, and scaling up your business.

The current agreement states that UK companies can access grant funding but not equity financing. Any future changes would depend on negotiations between the UK and the EU.

Yes, the UK government has explicitly acknowledged that UK entities cannot participate in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund under Horizon Europe. This is outlined in official documentation.

Non-dilutive funding means that you don't have to give up any ownership or equity in your company to receive the funds. It's essentially free money to help grow your business.

One potential solution is to establish a subsidiary or parent company within an EU member state, such as Ireland. This would allow the EU-based entity to apply for both grant and equity financing.

Yes, UK companies can still apply for the grant portion of the EIC Accelerator, which provides up to €2.5 million in funding. However, they are not eligible for the equity financing component, which can provide up to €15 million.

The grant is non-dilutive funding, meaning you don't have to give up equity in your company to receive it. Equity financing, on the other hand, involves selling a portion of your company in exchange for investment.

The declaration can be found in Article 6 on page 21 of the official Horizon Europe documentation. This document confirms the UK's exclusion from the EIC Fund.

Due to Brexit agreements, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund are prohibited from investing in UK companies. This restriction prevents UK applicants from accessing the equity financing offered through the EIC Accelerator.

A UK company can receive a maximum grant of €2.5 million from the EIC Accelerator. This funding is intended to support innovation and growth within the company.

After the screen test, review the footage with your consultant or writer. Use their feedback to optimize the content, script, and execution of the shoot. This ensures you make necessary adjustments before the final recording session.

The script should be comprehensive and rich in content to minimize the need for additional footage collection later. It's better to include extra content in the initial script and cut it during editing than to require a re-shoot due to insufficient footage.

If your team lacks video expertise, your consultant should provide a shortlist of best practices. This includes tutorials, FAQs, tips and tricks, and recommendations for camera settings and lighting, all tailored to short EIC Accelerator pitch videos.

A two-stage production process, including a screen test and a real recording, typically yields superior results. The screen test allows for corrections and improvements, leading to a higher-quality final product with less effort and overhead.

The first step is planning the process. This involves discussing the core responsibilities of the shoot and clearly defining who is responsible for each aspect of the video production. This ensures everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

A screen test is a practice run where you create a sample video to the best of your ability. It allows you to test your lighting, camera settings, microphone, and overall execution. This low-stakes practice helps identify and correct any issues before the final recording.

The responsibility for editing the final pitch video depends on the agreement you have with your consultant or any third-party contractors. It could be handled by the consultancy, a contractor, or even a member of your own team.

After the recording, the footage needs to be edited. This involves colour grading, basic corrections, and audio enhancements to ensure the highest quality. The editing can be done by the consultancy, a third-party contractor, or a team member, depending on your agreement.

You should discuss all available resources, including existing footage, hardware like cameras and lights, and the skills of your team members. Knowing what you have available will help you plan the video shoot effectively and identify any gaps you need to fill.

A well-prepared script is crucial because it allows you to plan the production in advance, clearly identifying the content, speakers, and setting. This helps avoid costly re-shoots and ensures the video's storyline is clear and engaging for the EIC Accelerator evaluators.

The 'equity affair' refers to delays in the disbursement of equity financing to companies that were granted funding in 2019. Some companies only received part of their equity financing in 2021, causing frustration and uncertainty.

The EIC faces a challenge: it wants to attract excellent companies and simplify the application process, but the high volume of applications forces it to increase evaluation barriers, ultimately making the process more complex and consultant-dependent.

The application process has become more complex, with the addition of in-person pitch interviews in 2018 and video submissions in 2021. These changes aim to filter applicants but also increase the burden on them.