Frequently Asked Questions

Quantifying the 'expected impact' is crucial because it demonstrates the tangible benefits of your innovation in relation to the Green Deal's targets. This allows the evaluators to assess the real-world contribution of your project and its potential for positive change.

To be eligible, your startup must address at least one of the Green Deal's targets, such as mitigating climate change, promoting clean energy, fostering a circular economy, or preserving biodiversity. Your application needs to quantify the expected positive impact of your innovation on these targets.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the step 2 interviews might be conducted via video conference calls instead of in-person meetings. There is also a possibility that interviews could be cancelled or delayed to ensure a fair opportunity for all participants.

Yes, the May deadline emphasizes the inclusion of women-led companies. At least 25% of the selected startups must have women in leadership positions such as CEO, founder, or director. If this threshold isn't met, the EU may invite additional companies with women leaders to the second evaluation stage.

Innovations that contradict the Green Deal's targets or focus on improving the efficiency and use of fossil fuels are not eligible for funding. The focus is strictly on solutions that contribute to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The Green Deal deadline boasts a significantly larger budget compared to regular EIC Accelerator deadlines. Specifically, the budget allocated for the May 19th deadline is €300 million, almost double the usual €160 million budget per deadline.

The best source of information is the official EIC (European Innovation Council) website. You can find detailed guidelines, application forms, and updates on the program and its various deadlines, including the Green Deal cut-off.

These statistics specifically relate to companies that received funding through the European Commission's programs. While the insights may be helpful in understanding broader funding trends, they may not be directly applicable to all types of funding sources.

The statistics presented are based on an annual report published by the European Commission in 2018. While the data is from a few years ago, it still provides valuable insights into funding trends and preferences.

Most funded companies are quite small, typically having under 3 employees. This indicates that the funding programs are often targeted towards early-stage startups and micro-enterprises. It's encouraging news for smaller businesses with innovative ideas.

Yes, coaching is very important. The report indicates that most funded companies need coaching, particularly in areas like market understanding and business strategy. Seeking expert advice can significantly improve your chances of success by refining your approach and addressing potential weaknesses.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 refer to different stages of a funding program offered by the European Commission. Phase 1 is often a smaller grant for feasibility studies, while Phase 2 provides larger funding for development and demonstration activities.

The information is derived from an annual report published by the European Commission. This report contains statistics and insights related to companies that have received funding through their programs.

The majority of funded companies, specifically 76%, operate with a B2B (business-to-business) revenue model. This suggests that the funding programs may prioritize companies that sell products or services to other businesses rather than directly to consumers.

While Phase 1 is optional, it's highly recommended to complete it before applying for Phase 2. Companies that complete Phase 1 are twice as likely to receive Phase 2 funding. This suggests that Phase 1 provides a valuable foundation and increases your credibility.

The vast majority of funded companies apply as single entities. Specifically, 84% of Phase 2 and 95% of Phase 1 funded companies applied alone. This suggests that the European Commission tends to favor applications from individual companies rather than collaborative projects.

Yes, the European Commission provides funding to companies through various programs. The report referenced in the post provides insights into the types of companies that have been successful in securing this funding.

High production costs clearly demonstrate a need for significant financial support. This makes it easier to justify the funding request to the EIC Accelerator. Be sure to provide a detailed breakdown of your production costs in your application.

The official EU website for the EIC Accelerator is the best source for the most up-to-date guidelines and requirements. Look for the latest program documents and application instructions. Regularly checking the website will ensure you have the most current information.

B2C projects can strengthen their applications by securing retailer or distribution agreements. These agreements demonstrate that there is a market demand for the product. Letters of intent from potential customers or pilot programs can also be valuable in showcasing customer interest.

Patenting your solution is highly beneficial, especially for hardware projects. It provides strong evidence of the innovative nature of your project. A patent helps demonstrate that your technology is unique and defensible, making your application more competitive.

B2B revenue models are significantly more favored, representing 76% of funded projects. B2C projects can face challenges in demonstrating customer interest during the pre-commercial stage. Securing retailer or distribution agreements can help B2C projects showcase market validation and improve their funding prospects.

Focus on clearly articulating the problem your project solves, the innovative nature of your solution, and its potential market impact. A strong business plan with realistic financial projections is essential. Highlight any unique aspects of your technology or business model to differentiate yourself from the competition.

While focusing on healthcare, cleantech, energy, analytics, and transportation can be advantageous, it's not a strict requirement. If your project falls outside these areas, ensure you clearly articulate its market need, innovation, and potential impact. A strong business plan is crucial.

No, it doesn't exclude pure software projects entirely. However, hardware innovations often have an easier time demonstrating the need for funding due to higher production costs and a clearer path to patenting. Software projects need to strongly emphasize their innovative nature and market potential.

Historically, the most frequently funded projects are in high-value industries like healthcare, cleantech, energy, analytics, and transportation. While budget distribution may evolve, these sectors have consistently shown strong potential for securing funding. Focusing on these areas can increase your chances of success.

Hardware-related projects are more frequently funded, accounting for over 60% of successful applications. This is likely due to the higher production costs associated with hardware, making the need for funding more apparent. Additionally, hardware innovations often have a clearer path to patenting, demonstrating their innovative nature.

Phase 1 proposals were limited to a concise 10-page document. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) allows for a more detailed 30-page proposal. Use this extra space to fully elaborate on your project's technical aspects, commercial strategy, and team expertise.

The official funding threshold for Phase 1 was 13 out of 15 points. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) requires a slightly lower threshold of 12 out of 15 points. However, remember that competition is fierce, so aiming for a score well above the threshold is crucial.

Since Phase 1 is no longer available, consider alternative methods for assessing your project's feasibility. This could include conducting market research, developing a prototype, or seeking feedback from potential customers and investors. Use these insights to strengthen your EIC Accelerator proposal.

While the application templates share similarities, there are significant variations. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) requires more in-depth information and justification due to the larger funding amount. Pay close attention to the specific requirements of the EIC Accelerator template to ensure your proposal is complete and competitive.

Phase 1 of the SME Instrument, which offered €50,000 grants, was discontinued after September 2019. The focus shifted to the larger-scale Phase 2, now known as the EIC Accelerator. This means the EIC Accelerator is the primary funding option for SMEs seeking substantial support.

Yes, a key difference is that Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) includes an in-person interview as part of the evaluation process. This interview is a critical step before final grant approval. Prepare to thoroughly defend your proposal and answer questions from the evaluation panel.

Yes, securing Phase 2 funding is generally more competitive. This is primarily due to the significantly larger grant amount available. Therefore, you need a very strong and well-developed proposal to succeed.

Phase 1 focused on feasibility studies, providing smaller grants for initial project assessment. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) supports the actual implementation of technical and commercial developments. Think of Phase 1 as testing the waters and Phase 2 as building the ship.

When subcontracting work in your EIC Accelerator project, you need to demonstrate that you're getting the best possible value. This means justifying your choice of subcontractors based on cost, expertise, and quality. Be prepared to explain why you selected specific subcontractors and how their contributions are essential to your project's success.

Focus on demonstrating the technical feasibility and commercial viability of your innovation. Clearly outline your implementation plan, market strategy, and the potential impact of your project. A strong team with relevant experience is also crucial for success.

The 'environment' refers to the testing conditions. It progresses from simplified (non-realistic) to simulated (replicating real-life) to real (actual field applications). This progression demonstrates increasing confidence in the technology's performance.

You can find more detailed NASA descriptions of TRLs, including differentiations for software and hardware, in the NASA PDF document. This document provides significantly more information compared to the EC definitions, offering valuable insights for your application.

The level of detail required for describing the current TRL, especially TRL 6, in an EIC Accelerator application can be quite individual. Focus on justifying your chosen TRL based on the specific questions in the official EIC Accelerator template. Provide clear evidence and data to support your claim.

In the simplified TRL descriptions, 'components' refer to individual features or parts of the technology. The 'system' represents the complete technology, whether it's hardware or software. Validating components is a step towards validating the entire system.

The official TRL definitions are provided by both NASA and the European Commission, ranging from TRL 1 (basic principles observed) to TRL 9 (actual system proven in operational environment). While similar, NASA's descriptions offer more detailed information. Applicants should consult both to understand the nuances.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a system for classifying the maturity of a technology. They range from basic principles being observed to the actual system being proven in an operational environment. These levels help assess the stage of development of an innovation, especially in research and development contexts.

You can simplify TRLs by focusing on the progression from idea to proven system. Consider stages like 'Idea stage,' 'Components validated (simulated environment),' and 'System complete and proven.' This simplified approach can be easier to apply to diverse technologies and business models.

The European Commission uses TRLs to evaluate the maturity of technologies applying for funding through the EIC Accelerator. Understanding TRLs helps applicants accurately represent the current stage of their innovation. This allows the EC to assess the project's feasibility and potential for success.

Besides understanding TRLs, you can explore resources on choosing a good project for the EIC Accelerator. Also, look for general descriptions on how TRL levels are considered in an application. Finally, seek out design resources to help with the overall proposal design.

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable if the official TRL keywords don't precisely match your innovation. The important thing is to demonstrate a clear understanding of the technology's development stage. Focus on the underlying principles and provide a strong justification for your chosen TRL.

The EU prioritizes projects that offer long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits for Europe. This includes addressing climate change, reducing unemployment, boosting innovation, promoting gender equality, integrating ethnic minorities, ensuring sustainability, improving infrastructure, and facilitating the adoption of future technologies. Demonstrating these broader impacts is crucial for a successful application.

You can find information about current EU policies and directives on the official EU website. Look for documents related to the specific areas your project addresses, such as climate change, employment, or innovation. Understanding these policies is crucial for aligning your project with EU priorities.

Boosting innovation is a key objective for the EU. Projects that introduce new technologies, develop innovative solutions, and drive economic growth are highly valued. Highlight the innovative aspects of your project and its potential to contribute to technological advancement.