European funding · EIC Accelerator
A grant below €2.5m and up to €10m of equity to scale your innovation.
For start-ups and SMEs with a market-ready, game-changing product that private investors alone still find too risky to fund.
Overview
What the EIC Accelerator is
The EIC Accelerator is the European Innovation Council’s main programme for start-ups and SMEs under Horizon Europe. It combines a lump-sum grant for the remaining innovation work with a direct investment from the EIC Fund, in equity or quasi-equity such as a convertible loan, to bridge the gap until private investors can follow. In 2026 it has €414 million for open proposals in any technology and €220 million for themed Accelerator Challenges.
A good fit if…
- You are a single start-up or SME (spin-outs included) in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe
- Your innovation could create a new market or disrupt an existing one, not just improve a product
- Your technology is validated (TRL 6 or higher) and you need funding to reach the market and scale
- You can show why the risk is still too high for private investors alone
Not the right fit yet if…
- You are still at research or early prototype stage: look at EIC Pathfinder or Transition
- You already have an Accelerator application under evaluation: only one is allowed at a time
- You are a UK company seeking equity: UK applicants can apply for the grant only
- You are a small mid-cap (up to 499 staff) seeking a grant: mid-caps can apply for investment only
- Your company is outside the EU and associated countries, for example in Monaco: you would need to relocate before the full proposal
MBA view
Use the short proposal as your test
The short proposal can be submitted in any month and you receive feedback in about four to six weeks, so it is a low-cost way to test your story before investing in the full proposal. Remember that grant-only support can be awarded only once during Horizon Europe (2021–2027), so time it well. If your full proposal scores at least 13 out of 15 but is not funded, you receive a Seal of Excellence, designed to help you raise money from other sources. The EIC also particularly welcomes companies led by female CEOs.
DueDiligence.Management
A professional opinion before you apply
Your short proposal, pitch deck and financials checked before EIC evaluators see them, with written findings on eligibility, business model, forecasts and pitch.
Members’ guide
The full EIC Accelerator guide is for Founder Members
- Complete checklist for the short and full proposal
- Step-by-step process with the 2026 cut-off dates
- What evaluators focus on and why proposals fail
- An 8-question readiness self-check
- Official guides, annexes and the application portal link
Keep exploring
Other European funding programmes
Source: European Innovation Council – EIC Accelerator. Summarised in our own words; information checked on 28 October 2026. Always confirm rules and dates on the official call page before applying. Monaco Business Angels and DueDiligence.Management are independent and are not affiliated with the European Commission.