Grant + equityEquity-free European Union
EIC Accelerator
European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe
Apply / official page ↗Typical funding
Grants up to €2.5M, with equity investments from about €0.5M to €10M.
Maximum
Grant component below €2.5M; equity component up to €10M under standard Accelerator and up to €30M under STEP Scale‑Up for select companies.
Startup stage
Tech startups and SMEs from late proof‑of‑concept through scale‑up, with strong traction potential.
Sector focus
Deep‑tech and high‑impact innovations across all sectors.
Overview
EU flagship funding for startups and SMEs developing and scaling innovations that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones, combining grants with optional equity.
Who's eligible
SMEs and startups in eligible EU/associated countries with high‑impact innovation, strong IP and clear market‑disruption potential.
How to apply
Submit short application and pitch video via EU Funding & Tenders portal, then prepare full proposal for scheduled deadlines (multiple dates each year).
Good to know
Highly competitive but central for EU deep‑tech scale‑ups; complemented by Business Acceleration Services.