Frequently Asked Questions

Work with a professional writer or consultant to strip down your project to its core. Re-assess your past accomplishments, customers, prototype, selling points, and future potential to identify the most compelling narrative.

Avoid topics that directly violate key EU targets, such as those concerning fossil fuels, embryonic research, dangerous human testing, or sensitive political issues. Focus on areas that align with the EU's positive agenda.

Future-proof technologies are resilient to upcoming changes. Ensure that your project isn't reliant on outdated practices or technologies that are likely to be phased out in the near future, such as fossil fuels.

Acknowledge potential threats from established competitors, such as pricing leverage, product copying, or customer poaching. Outline a commercial strategy that addresses these challenges and demonstrates a realistic path to growth.

A broad vision captures the full potential of your technology and its impact. It demonstrates that your project goes beyond just profit and feasibility, showcasing a grander story that resonates with evaluators and highlights the project's significance.

Research EU directives, targets, and policies, as well as key enabling technologies defined by the European Commission. Align your project's narrative with what the EU prioritizes to maximize its perceived impact and relevance.

Scalability is crucial. The EU wants to see that your company can grow significantly and gain market share. Demonstrate a realistic plan for scaling your operations and achieving your envisioned economic impact.

Search for "EIC Accelerator template PDF" on Google. Check the PDF for its current version and the history table at the beginning of the document. The table will list the details of any changes made.

No, the EIC Accelerator is currently exclusively a single-applicant program. Consortia were allowed pre-2019, but the program has since changed to focus on individual startups and SMEs.

While the EIC Newsletter exists, its content has been infrequent and often just reposts information from other sources. It's best to rely on other channels like Twitter and the official call page for more timely updates.

Staying updated is vital for preparing a successful application. Proposal templates and EIC strategies can change without announcement. Missing these changes could lead to immediate rejection or a less competitive proposal.

Unfortunately, there isn't one single place. Updates are spread across multiple channels, including Twitter, the official call page, Google, newsletters, and newsrooms. Regularly checking these various sources is crucial to stay informed.

Due to Brexit, UK companies are currently only allowed to apply for grant financing under the EIC Accelerator, not for equity (blended finance). The UK's future participation in Horizon Europe (2021-2027) is also uncertain.

Yes, informative websites by consultancies specializing in the grant, as well as initiatives like Access4SMEs and Access2EIC, can be valuable resources. Also, monitor relevant hashtags on social media like #eicaccelerator on Twitter.

The official EIC Accelerator call page contains a collection of documents. This collection includes a complete list of the companies that have been financed and brief information on their respective projects.

Use the search function in the EU's Newsroom and filter by EASME (Executive Agency for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises) or EIC (European Innovation Council). You can also use keywords like "Innovation" to find relevant content.

Follow the official EIC Twitter account (@EUeic). Monitor their timeline and replies for updates on interview invitations, delays, and other general changes. This is often the fastest way to receive important news.

To qualify as an SME, your company must have a staff headcount below 250, an annual turnover of €50 million or less, and a balance sheet total of €43 million or less. Meeting these criteria is essential for EIC Accelerator eligibility.

The EIC Accelerator seeks companies with a strong innovation component and the potential for disruptive impact. These businesses typically have strong IP protection, often categorized as DeepTech companies, and are focused on scaling their operations.

Yes, companies from certain non-EU countries can apply. Specifically, selected countries associated with the Horizon 2020 program are eligible, including countries like Iceland, Norway, Albania, and others listed in the blog post.

No, the EIC Accelerator is specifically for for-profit businesses. The program aims to support companies looking to scale their operations on a European or global level, so non-profits are not eligible.

The first step is to register your company on the EU's Funding and Tenders Portal. This will give you a Participant Identification Code (PIC) which is necessary for applying for grants and other support options on the platform.

Blended financing combines grant funding with equity investment. While many countries are eligible for both, some, like the UK in 2020, were only eligible for grant support. Check the specific program guidelines for your country's eligibility.

Yes, you need to declare any up- or down-stream relationships with other entities like subsidiaries, shareholders, or parent companies. The declaration threshold is 50% for natural persons and 25% for legal persons (companies).

Scaling refers to expanding your company's operations, market reach, and impact on a significant level. The EIC Accelerator supports businesses with the ambition and potential to grow substantially within the EU or globally.

If you declare a relationship with another company, you will also need to provide financial data for that associated business. This information is used to determine the SME classification, ensuring accurate eligibility assessment.

Yes, the UK is eligible for grant support but not blended financing for the remainder of 2020. Check the latest program guidelines for updated information on UK eligibility after 2020.

The grant is paid as 70% of the total eligible project costs. This means you need to demonstrate how you will cover the remaining 30% through co-financing. Be prepared to explain your co-financing strategy in your application.

Blended finance is a combination of a non-refundable grant and an equity investment. The grant portion helps cover immediate project costs, while the equity investment provides longer-term capital in exchange for a share of your company's ownership. It's a way to access both grant and equity funding through a single application.

Yes, pay close attention to the official evaluation criteria. Even if some criteria, like gender equality, don't directly relate to your business model, you must address them convincingly in your proposal. Consider the reviewer's perspective and preempt any potential concerns.

Equity financing is targeted at high-risk projects that may not yet be attractive to the market. Companies with low or limited turnover and negative EBITDA are often considered good candidates for equity financing through the EIC Accelerator.

The European Commission may offer a counteroffer if they believe your project budget doesn't align with their assessment. Be prepared to justify your budget thoroughly and consider that the final funding amount may differ from your initial request.

No, you cannot apply for equity-only financing. You can apply for a pure grant or blended finance, which is a combination of grant and equity. Equity financing always requires a grant component in the EIC Accelerator program.

Success rates are typically low, between 2% and 5%. However, with a well-written application and persistence in improving it after feedback, you can increase your chances significantly, potentially to 30% or higher. Focus on addressing all evaluation criteria and understanding the reviewer's perspective to maximize your success.

Don't be discouraged! Use the feedback from the reviewers to improve your application. Dedicate time to refine your proposal, addressing any weaknesses identified. Persistence and continuous improvement are key to increasing your chances of success in future applications.

The initial reviewing process (steps 1 and 2) is the same for both grant and blended finance applications. However, the management of the funding differs. Grants are managed by the European Commission, while equity is managed by EIC governing bodies with support from the European Investment Bank Group.

You can request up to €17.5 million for a single project, potentially more with justification. This can be a combination of a maximum €2.5 million non-refundable grant and up to €15 million in equity investment from the EIC Fund. Remember, you must offer company ownership in exchange for the equity.

Unfortunately, no. The EIC has decided not to postpone the May deadline, which means applicants rejected after the March interviews are unable to re-apply for the Green Deal cut-off.

While the increased budget means more projects can be funded, the competition remains fierce. Focus on a strong application that clearly demonstrates innovation and impact.

The original total budget for the EIC Accelerator in 2020 was €819,04m. This has now been increased to €969,04m due to the COVID-19 pandemic and high application volume.

Yes, the EU is encouraging applicants to present COVID-19 related innovations. Projects addressing the pandemic's challenges are likely to be prioritized during the evaluation process.

You can find official news about the EIC Accelerator budget increase on the europa.eu News website. This is the official source for announcements from the European Commission.

No, the budget for the October cut-off remains unchanged at €164,74m. The budget increase was specifically targeted at the March and May cut-offs.

32% of the total 2020 budget (€310,09m) is now dedicated to the March cut-off. This significant allocation reflects the high volume of applications received during that period.

No, the EIC Accelerator interviews will be held remotely for a total of 10 days, from May 11th to May 20th. This decision was likely made due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The Green Deal cut-off in May has a budget of €300,40m, representing 31% of the total 2020 budget. This shows the importance of green initiatives within the EIC Accelerator program.

The EIC Accelerator budget was increased by €150m due to a record number of applications received in the March 20th cut-off and the EU's focus on COVID-19 related innovations. This increase aims to support more innovative projects in the face of the pandemic.

Due to the high volume of applications, it is expected that the success rates for the March EIC Accelerator call will be below 1% or close to it. This highlights the intense competition for funding.

If your proposal is rejected after the interview (step 2), you will have to wait until the October deadline to reapply. This is a 5-month wait, unlike those rejected in step 1 who have time to revise and resubmit for the May deadline.

The Green Deal deadline for the EIC Accelerator is on May 19th. This deadline is specifically for projects that contribute to the European Green Deal objectives.