EIC Accelerator (previously known as SME Instrument) is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with radically new ideas underpinned by a business plan for rolling out marketable, innovative solutions and with ambitions to scale up. Selected companies receive funding (and optional equity) and are offered business coaching and mentoring to scale up their innovation idea. They get extra acceleration services to connect with investors, corporates, and likeminded entrepreneurs.
Who can apply?
If you are a SME and located in an EU Member State or a Horizon 2020 associated country, you can be eligible for funding. Large corporates, research centres or scientists cannot apply directly but they can participate in projects as subcontractors or third parties.
Financing options
There are two financing options. Alongside grant funding, whereby proposals with activities up to TRL 8 can be funded by grants between €500.000 and €2.500.000, there is a blended finance option for proposals which also include close to market activities (i.e. TRL 9 or above). In that case, the grant component is limited to €2.500.000 combined with an equity component up to €15 million.
Would you like to know more about the EIC Accelerator funding, or do you have any questions? Please contact us via our form or call +32 2 613 31 10.
