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EIC Accelerator (2024) is a grant from the European Innovation Council (European Commission) that provides blended finance — grants up to €2. 5 million combined with equity investments of €0. 5 million to €15 million — to for-profit SMEs and start-ups from EU member states or Horizon Europe-associated countries.
The 2024 work programme opens over €1. 2 billion in funding for strategic technologies with high market potential and innovation impact. The EIC Accelerator targets deep-tech and breakthrough innovations that are too risky for private investors alone, enabling high-growth companies to scale across Europe and global markets.
Eligible companies must demonstrate a disruptive technology concept and credible commercialization pathway.
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EIC 2024 work programme - European Innovation Council - European Commission European Innovation Council Back Previous items Next items Advanced Innovation Challenges- Pilot Co-investing with the EIC Fund EIC Fund companies portfolio EIC Fund Investment Guidelines & Approach Advisory Committee Members Company Board Representatives European Prize for Women Innovators powered by EIC & EIT The European Capital of Innovation Awards The European Commission adopted the 2024 work programme of the European Innovation Council.
It opens funding opportunities worth over €1. 2 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies. Funding and support in 2024 The EIC Work Programme 2024 details the funding in three main schemes: EIC Pathfinder (€256 million) for multi-disciplinary research teams to undertake visionary research with the potential to lead to technology breakthroughs (grants up to €4 million).
EIC Transition (€94 million) to turn research results into innovation opportunities, following up on results generated by EIC Pathfinder projects, European Research Council Proof of Concept projects and open for the first time to project results from Horizon collaborative projects from Pillar 2/ societal challenges (grants up to €2. 5 million).
EIC Accelerator (€675 million) for start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones (grants below €2. 5 million, investments from €0. 5 to €15 million).
€405 million is earmarked for investments to be managed by the EIC Fund, which will receive an additional €180 million to follow on investments in companies selected under previous EIC Accelerator calls. All the projects supported by the European Innovation Council have access to Business Acceleration Services , which provide coaches, mentors and expertise, and partnering opportunities.
The EIC takes a proactive approach to managing funding with EIC Programme Managers who develop visions for innovation and technology breakthroughs and steer portfolios of projects to achieve these goals. The Commission has also completed the restructuring of the EIC Fund by transferring its shares to the European Investment Bank, while keeping its steer over the Fund’s investment policy.
Together with measures introduced in the EIC work programme, this will allow the EIC Fund greater flexibility to manage the portfolio of investments , already comprising over 500 of Europe’s most promising start-ups and high growth companies. The European Innovation Council work programme 2024 opens funding opportunities worth over €1. 2 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies.
The majority is dedicated to SMEs and start-ups to develop and scale up “deep tech” innovations in critical fields such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), space, critical raw materials, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
Simplification and other novelties Building on the advice of the EIC Board, the work programme introduces a number of simplifications and improvements: The introduction of lump sum funding in most EIC calls that will remove financial reporting requirements for beneficiaries. The update of specific rules on Intellectual Property to empower Technology Transfer Offices, following the recommendations of the EIC Board .
The introduction of consensus meetings for EIC Accelerator applications to improve the robustness of the evaluation process. Flexibility for the EIC Fund to increase or delay investments in selected companies to better respond to their needs and market developments.
The opening of EIC Transition funding to follow up results from Horizon collaborative projects, in addition to results from ERC Proof of Concept, EIC Pathfinder and European Defence Fund projects.
Investing in strategic technologies While the majority of EIC funding is open to all fields of technology, €420 million is earmarked for novel technologies and for SMEs and Startups to tackle challenges supporting directly the European Green Deal , REPowerEU , the Chips Act , future AI Act , Net Zero Industry and other EU policies, including the New European Innovation Agenda .
In line with the Commission’s strategy on economic security , applications in critical areas such as AI and quantum will be screened for foreign ownership and investment safeguards to be applied by the EIC Fund.
Monday 15 January 2024 , 09:00 - 17:15 (CET) - Online Info Day dedicated to potential applicants where high-level speakers will present the new work programme and provide an overview about three main funding schemes provided by the EIC. Tuesday 16 January 2024 , 08:30 - 13:15 (CET) - Online Info Day dedicated to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Challenges under the EIC Work Programme 2024.
EIC WP 2024 - Main elements EIC WP 2024 - For companies and investors EIC WP 2024 - For researchers EIC WP 2024 - EIC Pathfinder challenges EIC WP 2024 - EIC Accelerator challenges General publications 6 December 2022 EIC Work Programme 2023 - amended 11 August 2023 General publications 12 March 2021 EIC work programme - 2022 General publications 7 February 2022 EIC work programme - 2021 European Innovation Council European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA) Data protection notice - EIC Accelerator Follow the European Commission Report an IT vulnerability Languages on our websites
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: For-profit SMEs and start-ups from EU or Horizon Europe-associated countries. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows grants up to €2.5 million; investments €0.5M–€15M. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
This listing does not include a published deadline, but it is an annual program. Check the official notice for the current cycle's exact dates.
EIC Accelerator (2024) is funded by European Innovation Council (European Commission). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This listing is flagged as international in scope. Check the official notice for country-specific restrictions before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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