The EIC Accelerator, explained
How the EU's flagship deep-tech funding instrument actually works: the grant, the equity, and the four-step process.
The EIC Accelerator is the European Innovation Council's programme for single start-ups and SMEs (and small mid-caps, for the equity component only) developing breakthrough, high-risk innovations. It offers blended finance: a grant component of up to €2.5 million for innovation activities at technology readiness level 6–8, to be completed within 24 months, plus an investment component of €1–€10 million through equity or quasi-equity instruments such as convertible loans. Applicants can apply for the grant alone or for both together.
Eligibility runs to EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe; a third-country applicant may become eligible by relocating. The EIC states it particularly welcomes applications from start-ups and SMEs with female CEOs.
The application is a four-step funnel:
- Short proposal — a 12-page form, a 10-slide pitch deck and a 3-minute video pitch, evaluated by four experts within 4–6 weeks.
- Full proposal — a 20-page expanded form, pitch deck, implementation plan and financial documentation, submitted against batching dates (six per year in 2026).
- Interview — top-ranked proposals get a face-to-face interview with the EIC Jury.
- Award and due diligence — grant agreement signing, and due diligence for the investment component where one was requested.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-09-25. Rules and figures change — follow the links above to confirm anything you plan to rely on.