Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, InDesign is significantly better for handling documents with numerous embedded PDFs, such as CVs or support letters in Document 2. Its design focus and robust PDF handling capabilities make it superior to Word for managing large, visually rich documents.

Document 1 is the main proposal document. The page limit is 30 pages, but this extends to 33 pages when including the cover page and summaries. Section 1 can begin on page 4 and extend to page 33.

InDesign uses an artboard-type layout, requiring you to place text boxes before writing. While this may seem inconvenient initially, creating a template with connected text boxes allows for a Word-like typing experience. The added control over fonts and formatting outweighs this initial setup.

Yes, if you already have experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, you'll likely find InDesign relatively easy to pick up. The interface and many concepts are similar, making the transition smoother.

To showcase scalability, explain how your revenue scales with resource investment. Highlight whether increased operations lead to higher profit margins and if there's a linear or exponential relationship between profits and customer numbers. Emphasize any automation that reduces manual labor and increases efficiency.

The combination of scalability and profitability is more important than the specific business model itself. The EU is interested in high-impact projects that generate a multi-fold return on investment. Focus on demonstrating how your chosen model, regardless of its type, achieves these goals.

Yes, it's possible, but you need to demonstrate that the manual labor doesn't hinder scalability or profitability. Explain how you can still achieve significant growth and a high return on investment despite the reliance on manual processes. Highlight any plans to automate or optimize these processes in the future.

The EIC Accelerator has a strong focus on disruptive innovations and the creation of new markets because these types of projects often have the highest potential for scalability and profitability. However, other innovative projects can also be considered if they demonstrate a clear path to significant growth and return on investment.

When selecting a business model for your EIC Accelerator application, focus on scalability and profitability. The EU prioritizes projects that can demonstrate significant growth potential and a strong return on investment. Your chosen model should clearly outline how you'll achieve both.

Scalability is crucial because the EU wants to fund projects with a wide-reaching impact. They look for business models that can efficiently serve a large customer base without a proportional increase in resources. Demonstrating scalability shows your project's potential for significant growth and market penetration.

The EU's threshold for 'profitable' is higher than what most businesses consider profitable. They're looking for projects that can generate a multi-fold return on their investment, requiring substantial accumulated profits in the years following market introduction. This reflects their focus on high-impact, scalable ventures.

The EIC Accelerator seeks projects with the potential for substantial accumulated profits following market introduction. Given the investment sizes (often over €1 million), the EU expects to see the potential for accumulated profits exceeding €10 million in the years following the technology's market launch.

Evaluate profitability by considering the revenue generated per deployment or customer. Determine how many customers or sales are needed to reach a substantial revenue target, like €20 million annually. Also, analyze whether securing a single key customer could sustain your operations and future technological advancements.

Clearly articulate how your project supports specific EU policies and targets. Provide concrete examples and data to showcase the positive impact of your innovation on the EU's agenda. Highlight the alignment throughout your application.

Acknowledge and address any potential conflicts or trade-offs. Explain how you plan to mitigate negative impacts and maximize positive contributions. Transparency and a balanced approach are essential.

Refer to the official websites of the European Commission and relevant EU agencies. These resources provide detailed information on EU policies, strategies, and funding priorities. Use these resources to inform your application.

Promising feedback highlights the benefits and potential of your innovation. It should address how your product solves a problem, improves efficiency, or offers a unique advantage. Quantifiable results and testimonials are particularly strong.

Letters of support/intent are valuable proof of customer interest. They provide tangible evidence that potential customers are engaged with your innovation and see its potential value. Include specific details about their interest and intended use.

Traction isn't solely about revenue. Material contributions, access to facilities, and even strong support letters can demonstrate customer interest. The key is showing that your innovation is highly sought after and better than the competition.

Demonstrate 'willingness to pay' through signed letters of intent to purchase, pre-orders, or documented market research indicating demand at a specific price point. Even informal surveys showing price sensitivity can be helpful.

For long sales cycles, focus on demonstrating progress through key milestones. Highlight signed agreements, pilot projects, or successful demonstrations of your technology. Emphasize the commitment and engagement of potential customers throughout the sales process.

A well-positioned value chain means having suppliers, logistics, and other necessary components in place. This demonstrates that you've thoroughly planned the project's execution and can deliver your innovation effectively. It shows a well-supported and thought-out project.

While you can summarize key customer interest points in the main document, include detailed evidence (letters, data, etc.) in the appendix. This allows evaluators to delve deeper and verify your claims. Reference the appendix in your main text.

The interview week has been extended to 10 days, likely due to a significantly larger number of applicants being invited for interviews. This suggests a very low success rate for the March call.

While the success rate varies, the high volume of applications for the March deadline suggests a success rate below 1% or close to it. This makes the competition very intense.

Applicants rejected in step 1 have the advantage of being able to reapply for the May deadline, unlike those who are invited to interview but ultimately rejected.

The March 2020 deadline received a record number of applications, almost 3,968, which is significantly higher than the regular ~1,900 applications.

Yes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIC Accelerator interviews are being conducted remotely via video calls.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) announced the postponement of the interview week on Twitter. You can check their official Twitter account for the specific announcement.

You specify the Green Deal goals your project addresses by selecting the appropriate checkboxes in the 'Call Specific Questions' section of the application form. Be sure to choose all that apply to your project.

The 'Green Deal' impact criterion was initially introduced for the May 2020 cut-off. However, the selection of Green Deal goals via checkboxes will likely remain for future deadlines, so always check the latest template.

Each updated template includes a list of changes at the beginning of the document. This list highlights the new requirements and modifications, making it easier to update your application accordingly.

The application now requires you to specify the gender of the CEO. This is due to the EIC Accelerator's new rule to have a 25% quota for female CEOs. This information is found in the 'Call Specific Questions' section of the application form.

The new proposal template was released in March 2020 in preparation for the Green Deal deadline. You can find it on the official EIC website or application portal. Always download the latest version before starting your application to ensure you meet all requirements.

If you are resubmitting to a subsequent deadline, it's crucial to review the latest template and update your application to reflect any changes. This ensures your application meets the current requirements.

Provide references that support your claims about the project's impact on the Green Deal. This could include scientific studies, industry reports, market data, or other credible sources that validate your assertions.

You must select the relevant Green Deal goals via checkboxes in the 'Call Specific Questions' section. Also, in the 'Impact' section, you need to detail and quantify your project's impact on the EU's Green Deal, providing explanations and references to support your claims.

The AI Tool designed to assist with Step 2 of the EIC Accelerator was expected to be ready in mid-April 2021. Check the EIC platform for updates on its availability and functionality.

The new investment guidelines for the EIC Fund were expected to be published at the end of March 2021. Review these guidelines carefully to understand the fund's investment priorities and criteria.

No, there won't be a specific template for the Step 1 pitch deck. However, a guide for creating the pitch video will be provided to help you structure your presentation effectively.

NCPs will have a stronger role, receiving your application upon submission. However, their involvement might be optional, so clarify the specific procedures and support available in your region.

No, the pitch deck you create for Step 1 will not be used during the Step 3 interview. Prepare a separate presentation tailored to the interview format and focus on the key aspects they will be evaluating.

The due diligence process for equity investments from the EIC Fund typically takes around 3-4 months. This involves a thorough review of your company's financials, technology, and market potential.

The EIC envisions integrating consultants into their platform in the long term, potentially for a fee. The platform also aims to connect startups with Venture Capitalists (VCs) and loan agencies to facilitate funding opportunities.

The written proposal should be precise, quantified, and in-depth. It needs to provide a technical understanding of the innovation, the team, and the market opportunity. Use numbers and ensure your narrative is well-supported.

Ensure each document contains the core elements of your project: the problem, your solution, the market opportunity, and your team. Tailor the presentation of these elements to the specific medium.

The pitch video should focus on the human element, showcasing the team's mission, motivation, and the vision behind the project. It's an opportunity to paint a picture of how the innovation will change the world.

The key is to think about *how* you present the information, not just *what* you present. Use each medium's strengths to your advantage. The written proposal is for detail, the deck for visuals, and the video for the human touch.

No, there isn't a strict structure. This allows for flexibility in how you present your information. However, ensure each document includes a clear problem statement, introduction, or motivation to provide context.

The goal is to make a strong first impression. Since you can't predict which document the evaluator will review first, each one needs to be compelling and informative enough to stand on its own.