EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator supports deep-tech start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with technologies at least at TRL 5 that have the potential to create a new market or fundamentally transform an existing one. It combines grant funding, equity investment and business acceleration services to help companies attract further capital more quickly and scale their innovations.

Projects may be submitted either without thematic restrictions (Open) or under specific strategic themes (Challenges).

EIC Accelerator: one of the three European Innovation Council instruments

It focuses primarily on:

• accelerating the development of advanced materials and scaling them across the entire value chain,
• biotechnology-driven low-emission food and feed production systems,
• GenAI4EU – creating European leaders in generative artificial intelligence; innovative services, operations, robotics and in-space technologies for resilient EU space infrastructure; and breakthrough innovations for future mobility.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator aims to develop and bring high-risk innovations to market, with particular emphasis on breakthrough, market-creating and deep-tech innovations. The programme seeks to support the rapid scaling of innovative technologies and companies through grants and equity investments.

The grant primarily covers activities related to maturing and optimising the solution, pilot testing and user validation, product qualification and preparation of initial commercial activities. Equity investment may be used for early commercialisation, including sales, operational scaling and marketing.