Frequently Asked Questions

Open Calls are available to all eligible applicants, while Strategic Challenges have specific topic restrictions. Each funding arm has its own budget and guidelines, focusing on different types of companies and their impact on EU policy targets. Companies must decide which call they will apply to.

Successful Step 1 applicants receive 3 days of coaching. The Seal of Excellence is awarded based on Impact and Excellence, while Implementation determines funding decisions. Applicants can now be natural persons (individuals) if they form an SME before signing the contract. Equity components can be postponed by first applying for a grant.

The Strategic Challenges focus on the Green Deal, digital technologies, and healthcare. The Green Deal targets climate mitigation, clean energy, and sustainable mobility. Digital technologies include areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. Healthcare focuses on AI-driven diagnostics, cell and gene therapy, and e-health solutions.

A major improvement in the new EIC Accelerator is the introduction of concrete feedback for rejected applicants. Both successful and rejected Step 1 applications will receive comments from the evaluators. This feedback aims to help applicants understand why their proposal was unsuccessful and improve future submissions.

Step 1 requires a 5-page project summary, a 3-minute pitch video, and a pitch deck. The 5-pager should focus on the Excellence and Impact of the technology, while the pitch video should address all evaluation criteria. The pitch deck will likely follow the structure of previous Step 3 interviews.

UK companies can participate in the EIC Accelerator grant program but are not eligible for equity financing. This could be beneficial for UK companies, as non-dilutive grants are highly desirable, and there's no risk of receiving an unwanted equity counter-offer.

Unlike the EIC Pathfinder and Transition, the EIC Accelerator uses a YES/NO grading system for each evaluation step instead of scoring and ranking. This means applications are assessed based on whether they meet the criteria, potentially leading to a less transparent evaluation process. The evaluators will determine if the application is approved or rejected.

In the Innovativeness section, use comparison tables to clearly communicate your unique value propositions and highlight competitors' shortcomings. Axis graphics or overlapping-circles graphs can also be effective. Consider including technically oriented figures that compare your technology to alternatives, showcasing its advantages.

Images are crucial for simplifying complex information and making your application more engaging for evaluators. They can summarize large amounts of text, highlight key differentiators, and visually represent your technology and its impact. Effective visuals can significantly improve your proposal's score and chances of success.

While requiring slightly more skill, vector graphics software provides extensive features for designing and customizing images perfectly. The result is typically higher in quality and more customized. Vector graphics software also simplifies working with customized pictograms and imported vector graphics, avoiding tedious conversions.

Use timelines and schemes to illustrate the past and future developments of your project. Highlight the current point in time as a unique investment opportunity. Present TRL stages by segmenting past developments (TRL 1-6) from future developments (TRL 6-9), or summarize the entire project timeline in a full-width spread.

The Solution section should be highly visual, showcasing your product's features and how it operates. Use a variety of images, such as concept charts, product photos, screenshots of user interfaces, or diagrams of production machinery. Start with a concept graphic explaining how your innovation works, then move to images representing software and hardware components.

In the introduction, use images that quickly and clearly illustrate the problem your project solves. Think charts, graphs, or visuals that summarize key facts about the environmental, political, social, or commercial issue you're addressing. The image should tell a story, leading from one fact to another and highlighting the core problem or business opportunity.

Yes, the principles of using effective graphics and design apply to both the written proposal and the interview pitch deck. A professional writer or consultant should be aware of the impact of visuals on the evaluation process in both formats. Use images to clearly and concisely communicate your key messages during the interview.

The overall page design is crucial for increasing the application's appeal. Use a cover page, consistent colors, easy-to-read spacing and fonts, a table of contents, and visually separated headers and sub-headers. These simple steps can significantly improve the application's presentation and readability for evaluators.

You can use either vector graphic software (like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw) or slide software (like PowerPoint or Google Slides). Slide software is easier to use with many presets, while vector graphics software offers more customization and higher quality results. Choose the software you're most comfortable with to create clear and effective visuals.

If your technology is complex, use a schematic graph or mindmap to explain its basic principles before diving into the specifics of your innovation. This helps evaluators understand the underlying technology. Alternatively, you can use an image to illustrate the 'missing link' and how your solution fills the need, showing the overall strategy for solving the problem.

Consider collaborating with a professional writer or grant consultant who has experience in page design and illustration. They can help you create visually appealing and effective images that enhance your proposal. Investing in professional design can significantly improve your chances of success.

No, the content of your proposal should always be your primary focus. However, don't neglect the visual presentation. While formatting and design shouldn't be the first priority, a well-designed proposal can significantly improve its chances of success by making it more engaging and easier to understand.

Consistent font sizes, color schemes, and resolution quality across all images enhance the application's overall appeal. This consistency creates a professional and polished look, signaling attention to detail and increasing the reviewers' confidence in your proposal. It shows you've invested time and effort into presenting your innovation effectively.

Make sure each page includes some type of visual element, such as an image, photo, table, or figure. Use formatting tweaks like lines, boxes, and pictograms to enhance visual appeal. Illustrations are particularly effective for conveying key messages and drawing the reader's attention.

Illustrations can compress complex messages into easily digestible visuals. They help readers quickly understand principles and concepts that might take longer to explain in text. Visuals are particularly useful for illustrating scientific principles, multi-channel commercial strategies, or the impact of your innovation.

While you can use existing images, it's often better to create dedicated illustrations. Existing images might have poor formatting, low resolution, or fail to address the specific requirements of the EIC Accelerator template. Recreating images ensures consistency in font sizes, color schemes, and resolution, enhancing the proposal's overall appeal.

To ensure high image quality, recreate relevant images instead of relying solely on existing ones. This allows you to control font sizes, color schemes, and resolution, creating a consistent and professional look. High-quality images contribute to the overall appeal and success chances of your application.

Focus on illustrations that visually represent aspects unique to the EIC application. This includes the timing of your innovation, Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), financing history, non-bankability, or the need for EIC support. Also, consider illustrating projected GHG emission savings, scientific principles, or complex commercial strategies.

Images are crucial because they quickly convey information and capture reviewers' attention. Reviewers often scan the application visually first, so compelling images can significantly improve the proposal's perceived quality and overall score. They help communicate complex ideas concisely and can highlight key aspects of your innovation project.

This is Part 1 of a series. Look for Part 2 of this article for more in-depth guidance on designing effective images for your EIC Accelerator application. The second part will likely provide further tips and strategies to improve your proposal's visual presentation.

While retailers and distributors offer access to large customer bases, they may not have the same level of trust or incentive to actively recommend your product. This can impede scalability and slow down market entry compared to partners with stronger customer relationships and influence.

Leveraging the trust of partner networks is a powerful approach to building customer relationships and driving market adoption. By strategically aligning with trusted partners, you can overcome skepticism, accelerate growth, and ultimately achieve greater commercial success.

Consider which partners hold the most authority in your target market. Think about how their endorsement could build trust with customers. Explore diversifying your existing strategy with additional partners and sales channels to maximize your potential for growth and profitability.

Your commercial strategy should detail the specific measures you'll take to scale within your target markets. It should also describe a network of carefully selected partners who are imperative to reaching your target customers. Clearly outline the roles of these partners in commercializing your product.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) represent a 'first-level' partner. They integrate your technology directly into their existing products and distribute it to end-users. Because OEMs already have established trust with customers, their adoption of your technology immediately lends credibility.

Focus on securing validation from trusted third parties or demonstrating early product success. Getting established partners to invest time and money in your company can also signal trust to other interested customers. These actions can significantly accelerate your product's deployment and market acceptance.

Don't just describe your product development and target markets. Instead, detail the specific steps you'll take to scale within those markets. A strong commercial strategy should outline a network of carefully selected partners who are crucial for reaching your target customers and driving significant growth.

Second-level partners are intermediaries or stakeholders essential to the value chain but considered optional. These could be service providers like mechanics, consultants, or certifiers. Their recommendations carry weight with customers, making them valuable allies in building trust and driving adoption.

Identify the commercial channels that hold the highest level of authority and trust within your target market. Consider which partners' endorsement would carry the most weight with your potential customers. Aligning with these influential partners can greatly enhance your credibility and market penetration.

New startups often face skepticism from potential customers, especially in B2B settings. Established companies may be hesitant to commit to a new business that might not last. Building trust through social proof (validation by trusted third parties) or a strong track record is essential for overcoming this hurdle.

When assessing a team, focus on their background, the relationships between team members and departments, and the overall track record of both the company and individual team members. A strong team is crucial for demonstrating the ability to implement and execute the proposed innovation developments. The EIC Accelerator template covers the team in great length, so it's important to clarify the team's quality early on.

Yes, the track record can extend to the past successes of individual team members. For example, highlight if a founder successfully scaled a production process or exited a profitable technology startup. Any past achievements that demonstrate relevant experience and expertise should be included to strengthen the team's overall profile.

Focus on the founding team's dynamics and their stakeholder network. Understand how the team was formed and how well they connect with customers, regulators, and commercial partners. A strong network demonstrates the team's ability to navigate the commercial landscape and build crucial partnerships for scaling the business.

Focus on three key areas: team background (education, industry origin, and balanced expertise), team relationships (founding team dynamics and stakeholder network), and team track record (past successes). By thoroughly assessing these aspects, you can build a strong case for the team's ability to execute the project and achieve its goals.

When assessing the team's background, consider their education, industry origin, and the balance of in-house expertise. Ensure there's a mix of technical and commercial skills to demonstrate the team's ability to both develop and market the innovation. A well-rounded team inspires confidence in the project's potential for success.

Showcase accomplishments like technology milestones, awards, prizes, and secured financing (seed, angel, VC, or grants). Also, highlight any other acknowledgements that demonstrate a high barrier to success. These achievements demonstrate the company's ability to overcome challenges and achieve significant results.

Analyze the incentives to validate the long-term commitment of team members. Pay special attention to the company's ownership structure and future projections regarding equity investments and potential dilution. A committed core team is essential, so avoid relying heavily on interns, freelancers, or contractors who may have lower commitment levels.

The ideal team should have a strong technical background balanced with commercial expertise. Avoid teams that are exclusively marketing-focused or purely technical. A balanced team, even if R&D-heavy, demonstrates the capacity to both develop and commercialize the innovation. An advisory board can supplement the team, but shouldn't be the sole source of commercial knowledge.

The team's track record is arguably the most important factor. Investors and evaluators understand that past success is a strong indicator of future success. Highlight the company's past accomplishments, such as technology milestones, awards, secured financing, and other achievements that demonstrate a high barrier to success.

Team relationships are very important. Highlight how the team was formed, how members are incentivized, and their overall commitment to the company's success. Assess how well-connected the team is to important stakeholders like customers, regulators, and commercial partners. Strong relationships demonstrate a solid foundation for commercialization and scaling.

Provide enough detail to tell a complete and impressive story. Don't just give 'yes' or 'no' answers. Elaborate on each point and explain why the current timing is perfect for investment, market needs, and competitive advantages. Be comprehensive but avoid being too wordy.

No, don't give up. There's no limit to how many times you can submit an application. If your initial score was close to the threshold, revise and improve your proposal for resubmission. Persistence is key, as it often takes multiple attempts to secure funding.

You should dedicate at least 50 days to prepare a great application. Rushing the process is a common reason for low scores. Take the time to properly read the Work Programme and template, and treat the application as a well-crafted financing proposal, not a lottery ticket.