EIC Accelerator - SME Instrument
EIC main instruments and characteristics
EIC Accelerator Types of Investment Scenario
Grant only
support for development (TRL 5/68), deployment and scale-up (TRL 9).
If you can prove that you have sufficient financial means for deployment and scale-up (TRL 9).
Grant and investment
If your innovation still requires significant work to validate and demonstrate in relevant environments to assess its commercial potential.
Grant First
Investment only
If you are looking to fill the funding gap for rapid scale-up of your high-risk innovation and you don’t need a grant.
Investment component
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minimum EUR 0.5 million and maximum EUR 15 million,
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usually in the form of direct equity or quasi-equity,
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maximum 25% of the voting shares of the company,
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“patient capital” principle (7-10 years perspective on average).
Grant component
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maximum EUR 2.5 million,
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eligible costs are reimbursed up to a maximum of 70%,
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innovation activities supported should be completed within 24 months,
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small mid-caps are not eligible for grant (but can apply for investment only).
The Main Criteria
Excellence
Technological feasibility (TRL 5/6 min); IPR; timing; degree of novelty.
Impact
scale-up potential; financial needs; market analysis including competitive
analysis; commercialization strategy; key partners, broader impact.
Implementation
Level of risk, implementation, and need for Union support: team, clear implementation plan; high investment risk; market risks assessed and mitigated
What are they looking for?
Disruptive Idea
Close to market stage
High growth potential
Across borders
Proven idea - with a prototype
Scalable
Stage 1: Pre-application Evaluation Process
Stage 2: Full-Proposal Evaluation Process
Stage 3: Interview Evaluation Process
Annual Budget - EIC Accelerator
