Frequently Asked Questions

The EIC Jury could quantify the number of flaws identified in each application and discuss their severity, assigning a weighting factor to each flaw. This would translate the subjective conviction of individual Jury members into a quantifiable score for a fairer ranking of companies.

The Seal of Excellence is a certificate given to companies, but its meaning has become diluted over time. To improve its value, the EIC Board could attach a recommendation document to the SoE, categorizing the company into a clear bucket with a timestamp, signaling its attractiveness for private capital investments.

For narrowly rejected applicants, the EIC could consider a remote follow-up interview about 4 weeks after the initial interview, allowing them to report on the identified flaws and their mitigation. This could be part of a "Runners-Up" announcement with a delayed timeline.

If the jury believes a company will never be funded due to significant red flags, the ESR should include a clear recommendation advising the applicant that the chances of receiving funding are very low. It should suggest applying with a different project or not reapplying at all.

When rejecting a proposal with flaws, the jury should suggest a resubmission and clearly indicate the nature of the flaws in a realistic manner. The feedback should justify why the applicant is being sent back to the proposal stage, highlighting critical areas for revision.

Avoiding quotas per panel ensures fairness to all applicants by prioritizing the selection of the best companies overall, rather than forcing each panel to fund a minimum number of projects. The final decision should be centralized to ensure the most promising companies receive funding.

The EIC can leverage grant funding by including clauses in the grant agreement that incentivize desired behaviors, such as prioritizing European expansion and discouraging foreign acquisitions. Converting the grant to a loan under certain conditions can be a powerful tool for influencing company decisions.

Phase 2, known as Innovation Development & Demonstration, focuses on bringing a technology from the prototype level to commercial readiness. This phase involves significant development work and receives the largest amount of funding, ranging from €0.5 to 2.5 million. The goal is to prepare the innovation for market entry.

After Phase 2, companies can leverage Phase 3 for support with market entry. This phase provides access to the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) for guidance and advice. While Phase 3 doesn't offer direct financial support, it helps SMEs navigate the challenges of commercializing their innovation.

Phase 3 provides non-financial support for market entry. This support is offered through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which provides guidance and advice on various project-related topics. This helps SMEs navigate the complexities of entering the market with their newly developed innovation.

While Phase 1 is officially optional, it's highly recommended. Successfully completing Phase 1 significantly increases the chances of securing funding for Phase 2. Projects that struggle to gain approval in Phase 1 are unlikely to succeed in the subsequent phase.

Phase 1 of the SME Instrument provides €50,000 in funding to support the feasibility study. This funding helps SMEs conduct the necessary research and analysis to determine the viability of their project. It's a crucial step in securing further funding in later phases.

The SME Instrument is divided into three phases. Phase 1 focuses on feasibility studies, Phase 2 supports innovation development and demonstration, and Phase 3 provides support for market entry. Each phase has a different purpose and level of funding available to SMEs.

To determine if your company is eligible for funding from the EU, you should consult the provided resource: 'Can My Company Receive Funding from the EU?'. This resource will provide detailed information on eligibility criteria and requirements for the SME Instrument and other EU funding programs.

Phase 1 projects typically last around 6 months. This timeframe allows SMEs sufficient time to conduct a thorough feasibility study, develop a robust Business Plan, and assess the overall potential of their project. Proper planning and execution during this phase are essential for success.

Phase 1, also known as the Feasibility Study, aims to assess the technical, commercial, and financial viability of a project. It involves developing a comprehensive Business Plan to determine if the project is a worthwhile investment. This phase helps SMEs understand the potential of their project before moving to larger-scale development.

The H2020 SME Instrument is a €3 billion funding scheme within the EU's Horizon 2020 program, which has an overall budget of €80 billion. It aims to support Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in their research and innovation efforts. Over six years, it has provided funding to thousands of SMEs.

For EU funding, an SME is defined as a company with fewer than 250 employees, an annual turnover of less than €50 million, and a balance sheet total of less than €43 million. Meeting all three of these criteria is essential for qualifying as an SME. This definition is important because many EU funding programs are specifically targeted at supporting SMEs.

Being registered in an EU-28 country means your company is officially based and operates within one of the member states of the European Union. This includes countries like Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, and many others. Registration typically involves complying with the specific legal and regulatory requirements of that particular country.

The European Commission provides a wealth of information and frequently asked questions on their website. This is a great resource for understanding the nuances of EU funding programs and eligibility requirements. Be sure to check their official website for the most up-to-date details.

Your project proposal should clearly outline the objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes of your project. It should also demonstrate the project's alignment with EU priorities and its potential impact. Be sure to address the technical, commercial, and financial aspects of the project in detail, highlighting the expertise of your team.

Increasing your chances of securing EU funding requires careful planning and a strong application. To find out how to increase your chances for funding, please read How To Improve Your Chances of Getting Funded. This resource will offer valuable tips and strategies to enhance your proposal.

Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) means your technology has been tested in a relevant environment and has proven its efficacy. This indicates that your technology is beyond the initial research phase and is ready for real-world application. It's a crucial factor in demonstrating the maturity and potential of your project to EU funding bodies.

Your company is likely eligible if it's registered in an EU-28 country or one of the associated countries listed. Additionally, you must be an SME (less than 250 employees, under €50 million turnover, and under €43 million balance sheet). You'll also need three task leaders covering the technical, commercial, and financial aspects of your project, and your technology should be at Technology Readiness Level 6, meaning it's been tested in a relevant environment.

Associated countries are non-EU nations that have agreements with the EU to participate in certain programs, including research and innovation funding. These countries, such as Norway, Iceland, and Turkey, can often apply for EU funding opportunities under specific conditions. Check the specific program guidelines to confirm eligibility for your country.

Having three task leaders – one each for the technical, commercial, and financial aspects – demonstrates a well-rounded and capable project team. This structure ensures that all critical areas of the project are adequately managed and addressed. It shows the EU that your project has the necessary expertise to succeed.

EU funding is available across a wide range of industries, but some are more commonly funded than others. To see if your project is eligible for funding in one of the 13 topics, please read What Types of Industries Receive Funding? This resource will provide insights into the sectors that align with EU priorities.

Yes, in some countries, a 'Seal of Excellence' can help you secure national funding. Countries like Sweden, Cyprus, and others recognize the seal. Check the specific conditions and deadlines for these national programs, as they may have specific requirements.

The evaluation report uses a scale to rate different aspects of your proposal. Scores range from 'Insufficient' (0-1.49) to 'Very Good to Excellent' (4.5-5). The maximum possible score for a proposal is 15, reflecting high marks across all categories.

A high score, even one above the funding threshold, doesn't guarantee funding. Limited budgets and a high number of applicants mean that only the highest-scoring proposals within the budget can be funded. It indicates your proposal is strong but faced tough competition.

An evaluation report provides feedback on your proposal from multiple evaluators. It assesses aspects like 'Impact,' 'Excellence,' and 'Quality' using a scoring system. You can typically expect to receive this report 1-2 months after the submission deadline.

The 'Seal of Excellence' signifies that your proposal met a high-quality threshold. While it doesn't guarantee funding from the initial program, it can open doors to alternative funding opportunities. It demonstrates the merit of your project to other funding bodies.

Generally, proposals need a score of 13.5 to 14 or higher to be considered for funding. However, this can vary depending on the specific call and the number of applicants. Aim for the highest score possible to increase your chances.

You'll need to research the specific funding agencies in countries that recognize the 'Seal of Excellence.' Look for information on their websites regarding eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and program guidelines. Be sure to check frequently, as these details can change.

Absolutely! You can resubmit your proposal as many times as you like. Each submission provides an opportunity to improve based on the feedback received in the evaluation report. Use the feedback to strengthen your proposal's weaknesses.

Carefully review the evaluation report for specific areas of improvement. Even with a good score, there might be aspects that can be strengthened, such as the clarity of your impact or the robustness of your methodology. Focus on addressing the evaluators' concerns.

Thoroughly address all feedback from the evaluation report, strengthen your proposal's weaknesses, and ensure it aligns perfectly with the call's objectives. Seek advice from experienced proposal writers or mentors to gain additional insights and improve your application.

Your pitch deck should primarily focus on the business model, including innovation, competition, customer journey, go-to-market strategy, user needs, and financial projections. The jury is more interested in the investment potential than specific scoring criteria during the pitch.

The most important thing is to present an excellent investment opportunity with a great ROI. Your pitch should be so compelling that it stands on its own, even if the written application were not available.

The written application needs to be comprehensive and address all evaluation criteria in detail, following a 'more is more' approach. The pitch deck, on the other hand, should focus on the core business model and investment opportunity, using a 'less is more' strategy to highlight key aspects within the limited time.

A well-designed pitch deck is crucial because the jury will likely judge your application largely based on the information presented in it. It needs to clearly and concisely convey the most important aspects of your project to make a strong impression.

Even if the evaluators have read your application, stick to the 'less is more' approach in your pitch. Focus on presenting a compelling investment opportunity, and be ready to answer targeted questions about specific sections of your proposal during the Q&A.

The 'more is more' approach means including as much relevant information as possible in your written application to address all evaluation criteria. Missing even a single criterion can negatively impact your score, so completeness is key.

Yes, it's actually beneficial. The pitch deck should omit less critical information like gender dimension or job creation details, which were important for the written application. You can address these points if the jury raises questions during the Q&A session.

The written application is evaluated by four reviewers who grade Documents 1-3 according to pre-defined criteria. These criteria are available in the ESR (Evaluation Summary Report). The application should directly address these criteria to maximize its score.

The 'less is more' approach means focusing on the most crucial aspects of your project in the pitch deck due to time constraints. Highlight the key investment opportunity and be prepared to elaborate during the Q&A rather than trying to cram everything in.

The Q&A session allows the jury to clarify any questions they have about your project. This is your opportunity to provide more details on aspects you only hinted at during the pitch and address any concerns they might have.

Yes, you can use screenshots, especially when showcasing software or UI dashboards. To enhance the look of simple screenshots, consider using device overlays (like laptop or smartphone screens) available on platforms like FreePik. This can be done using Adobe Photoshop and can significantly improve the impact of your visuals.

Document 4, the pitch deck, needs a well-designed presentation. SlideBean is a great resource dedicated to creating better pitch decks for startups and SMEs. The free version provides useful examples from companies like Uber or Airbnb. Use these examples as templates to craft a suitable pitch for the EIC Accelerator interviews.

Color is crucial for a grant application. Decide on a specific style for the entire proposal before working on images or headers. It's best to use a single main color or a primary and secondary color to avoid overwhelming the reader. Use a color picker tool like the Adobe Color Wheel to experiment with different styles and create color combinations that work well together.