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EIC Accelerator (2,5 mio. EUR-tilskud og 15 mio. EUR tilgængelig egenkapitalfinansiering) er opstartsfinansieringsafdelingen af Europa-Kommissionen (EC) og European Innovation Council (EIC), som støtter innovative og forstyrrende små og mellemstore virksomheder (SMV) i:
- EU-27: Østrig, Belgien, Bulgarien, Kroatien, Republikken Cypern, Tjekkiet, Danmark, Estland, Finland, Frankrig, Tyskland, Grækenland, Ungarn, Irland, Italien, Letland, Litauen, Luxembourg, Malta, Holland, Polen, Portugal, Rumænien, Slovakiet, Slovenien, Spanien og Sverige.
- Associerede lande: Albanien, Armenien, Bosnien-Hercegovina, Færøerne, Georgien, Island, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Marokko, Nordmakedonien, Norge, Serbien, Tunesien, Tyrkiet, Ukraine, Storbritannien.
Bemærk: Se venligst efter opdateringer vedrørende denne liste da lande som Schweiz og især ikke-EU-lande kan ændre deres status over tid. Der kan også være hyppige ændringer i støtteberettigelsen, såsom Storbritanniens deltagelse i tilskuddet, men ikke egenkapitalfinansieringen.
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Artiklerne fundet på Rasph.com afspejler Rasphs eller dets respektive forfatteres meninger og afspejler på ingen måde udtalelser fra Europa-Kommissionen (EC) eller European Innovation Council (EIC). Den leverede information har til formål at dele perspektiver, der er værdifulde og potentielt kan informere ansøgere om tilskudsfinansieringsordninger såsom EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition eller relaterede programmer såsom Innovate UK i Det Forenede Kongerige eller Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) i De Forenede Stater.
Artiklerne kan også være en nyttig ressource for andre konsulentvirksomheder i bevillingsområdet samt professionelle bevillingsskribenter, der er ansat som freelancere eller er en del af en Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMV). EIC Accelerator er en del af Horizon Europe (2021-2027), som for nylig har erstattet det tidligere rammeprogram Horizon 2020.
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Alle berettigede EIC Accelerator-lande (inklusive Storbritannien, Schweiz og Ukraine)
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ChatEIC Review: Leveraging an AI Writer for EIC Accelerator Success
The EIC Accelerator Challenge: Navigating Europe’s Premier Deep-Tech Funding
Overview of EIC Accelerator
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator stands as a cornerstone initiative within the Horizon Europe framework, representing the European Union’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking innovation. Its primary mission is to identify and support high-risk, high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, with a particular emphasis on those operating within the “deep tech” sector—innovations rooted in significant scientific or engineering challenges. The program aims to bridge the critical funding gap these ventures often face, enabling them to develop and scale up breakthrough products, services, or business models capable of creating new markets or disrupting existing ones on a European and global scale.
The financial support offered is substantial, designed to propel companies through demanding growth phases. Funding typically combines non-dilutive grants of up to €2.5 million with equity investments managed through the dedicated EIC Fund, generally ranging from €0.5 million to €15 million. In some cases, particularly under schemes like the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale-up initiative, investments can reach even higher levels, up to €30 million. This “blended finance” approach is a hallmark of the Accelerator, catering to both development and market deployment needs. The EIC Fund itself has become a major player, positioned as Europe’s largest deep-tech investor, often attracting significant co-investment and amplifying the financial impact for beneficiaries. Beyond direct funding, recipients gain access to valuable Business Acceleration Services (BAS), including coaching, mentorship, networking opportunities, and connections to partners and investors.
The program targets innovations that have progressed beyond basic research, typically requiring applicants to demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 5 or 6—meaning the technology has been validated or demonstrated in a relevant environment. The funding supports further development through TRL 7 and 8 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment) and scale-up activities towards TRL 9 (system proven in operational environment/market deployment). This focus positions the EIC Accelerator as a crucial catalyst for bridging the gap between late-stage innovation and successful market entry.
The Gauntlet: Application Complexity and Competition
Securing EIC Accelerator funding is an arduous undertaking, characterized by a demanding, multi-stage application process and intense competition. Applicants must navigate a sequential gauntlet, successfully passing each stage to proceed to the next.
- Step 1: Short Proposal: This initial screening stage requires submitting a concise application package, typically including a 5-page summary form addressing the innovation, market potential, and team; a pitch deck (up to 10 slides); and a short video pitch (up to 3 minutes) featuring the core team. This step can be submitted at any time and is evaluated relatively quickly, usually within 4-6 weeks. Success requires a “GO” from at least three out of four remote evaluators.
- Step 2: Full Proposal: Applicants who pass Step 1 are invited to prepare a comprehensive Full Proposal for submission by specific cut-off dates (typically 2-4 per year). This involves developing a detailed business plan (often exceeding 50-100 pages), providing extensive financial information, outlining company structure, and defining project milestones. This stage demands significant effort, often requiring 60 days or more of preparation. Three different expert evaluators assess the full proposal against criteria of Excellence, Impact, and Implementation. A unanimous “GO” is typically required to proceed directly to the final stage, though consensus meetings may occur in borderline cases.
- Step 3: Jury Interview: The final stage involves a face-to-face (often remote) interview with an EIC Jury composed of experienced investors, entrepreneurs, and experts. Applicants present their project (usually a 10-minute pitch based on the Step 2 deck) and undergo a rigorous Q&A session focusing on aspects like commercialization strategy, scalability, team capabilities, and financing plans. The jury makes the final funding recommendation.
The entire process demands not just a groundbreaking idea but a meticulously crafted, compelling business case demonstrating market potential, scalability, team strength, and alignment with EU priorities. The sheer volume of applications underscores the fierce competition; thousands often apply at Step 1 , leading to extremely low overall success rates, frequently cited in the single digits (e.g., 2-7%). Adding to the pressure, the EIC employs strict resubmission limits, often referred to as a “three strikes” rule, where accumulating three rejections across the stages can bar a project from reapplying within the Horizon Europe timeframe.
The Need for Efficient Solutions
The combination of substantial potential rewards, a complex and lengthy application process (often spanning 6 months to over a year from start to funding decision) , intense competition, and the high stakes involved creates a challenging landscape for applicants. Startups and SMEs, often operating with limited resources and time, face significant hurdles in producing proposals that meet the EIC’s exacting standards. Consultants assisting these companies also feel the pressure to deliver high-quality applications efficiently. This high-pressure environment, where any edge can be critical, naturally fuels demand for tools and strategies that can streamline the process, enhance proposal quality, ensure compliance, and ultimately improve the chances of success. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a potential avenue for addressing these needs, offering new ways to tackle the complexities of EIC Accelerator grant writing.
The very nature of the EIC Accelerator, focusing on deep tech and breakthrough innovations often originating from highly technical or scientific teams , further amplifies this need. While these teams possess exceptional technical expertise, they may not always have the specialized grant writing, business planning, or financial forecasting skills required to navigate the rigorous EIC evaluation criteria effectively. This skills gap often necessitates seeking external support from consultants or exploring tools that can assist with the non-technical aspects of the application, making the prospect of an AI-powered assistant particularly appealing.
Enter ChatEIC: The Specialized AI Grant Writer for EIC Applicants
Introducing ChatEIC
Amidst the challenges of the EIC Accelerator application process, ChatEIC emerges as a specialized software solution. It is explicitly marketed as an AI grant writer designed specifically for crafting proposals for the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. Its core purpose is to empower applicants—startups, SMEs, and the consultants supporting them—to generate high-quality drafts for the crucial EIC Accelerator Step 1 proposal significantly faster and more efficiently than traditional manual methods.
Target Audience
The tool is clearly aimed at the key players involved in the EIC Accelerator application ecosystem. This includes:
- Startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): Companies possessing innovative technologies or business models who intend to apply for EIC Accelerator funding.
- Consultants and Professional Grant Writers: Individuals or firms specializing in assisting startups and SMEs with the preparation and submission of grant applications, including those for the EIC Accelerator.
Creator Credibility and Expertise
ChatEIC is not presented as a generic AI tool but as a product developed by an individual with direct experience in the field. It was created by Stephan Segler, PhD, who has been operating as a professional grant writer since 2017. Dr. Segler is associated with Segler Consulting and Rasph, entities that offer EIC Accelerator consultancy services. This connection positions ChatEIC as a tool potentially infused with practical insights and knowledge derived from real-world experience navigating the complexities of EIC applications. This association with a known consultant in the EIC space aims to build user trust, suggesting the tool incorporates domain-specific expertise rather than relying solely on general language models. For applicants navigating the high-stakes EIC process, this perceived expertise differentiates ChatEIC from more generic AI writing solutions.
Core Functionality – How it Works
The operational workflow of ChatEIC is designed for simplicity and directness :
- Input: The user provides the source material for the proposal. This can be raw text pasted into an input field, uploaded documents (such as existing pitch decks or business plans), or information entered into a structured template provided by the platform.
- Processing: ChatEIC’s underlying AI engine processes the provided input, analyzing the content and identifying relevant information for the various sections of an EIC Accelerator Step 1 proposal.
- Output Generation: The tool generates draft text for the proposal. Users can choose to generate the entire proposal draft at once or create specific sections individually (modular generation).
- Download: The final generated draft is made available for download as a standard, editable Microsoft Word file (.docx).
Underlying Technology (Implied Generative AI)
The platform explicitly describes itself as an “AI grant writer” utilizing “AI-Powered” technology. Further details reveal that ChatEIC 1.0 is implemented as a custom version of ChatGPT (specifically, a GPT), requiring users to have an active OpenAI subscription to access its capabilities. While the term “Generative AI” is not consistently highlighted in the primary marketing copy on ChatEIC.com itself , the described functionality—taking diverse inputs and autonomously generating comprehensive, structured text for a proposal—is characteristic of Generative AI for EIC Accelerator applications. The tool leverages the knowledge base from an “EIC Accelerator Training Program” and can interact with uploaded documents (PDF, Word, PowerPoint) and search the web via Bing integration.
The strategic focus of ChatEIC, particularly on the Step 1 proposal , appears deliberate. Step 1 serves as a critical initial filter in the EIC process, handling a high volume of applications and often rejecting candidates based on clarity, completeness, or adherence to specific formatting and content rules, rather than solely on the innovation’s merit. Common pitfalls at this stage include incorrect TRL definitions, ineligible funding requests, or poorly structured arguments. By specializing the AI tool on this rule-intensive stage, ChatEIC aims to address a significant bottleneck where compliance and structured presentation are paramount for advancing to the more substantive Step 2 evaluation.
Deconstructing ChatEIC’s Features: An AI Toolkit for Proposal Crafting
ChatEIC offers a suite of features designed to assist applicants in producing EIC Accelerator Step 1 proposals. These capabilities extend beyond simple text generation, incorporating elements aimed at ensuring compliance and addressing specific EIC requirements.
AI-Powered Draft Generation
The core engine of ChatEIC is its ability to generate draft text for proposal sections using AI. A key aspect is the flexibility of input methods. Users are not restricted to a single format; the tool can process information from uploaded pitch decks, existing business plans, unstructured text pasted into the system, or data entered into a specific template provided on the platform. This adaptability caters to applicants at different stages of readiness – some may only have a concise pitch deck, while others possess extensive documentation. ChatEIC aims to extract the necessary information from these varied sources, even claiming the ability to generate a comprehensive proposal draft from minimal data like a pitch deck alone, or conversely, to parse and utilize information from lengthy documents exceeding 100 pages. This suggests an effort to normalize diverse starting points into the structured format required by the EIC.
EIC Rule Awareness & Compliance
A significant differentiator claimed by ChatEIC is its embedded knowledge of the specific rules and expectations of the EIC Accelerator program. The AI is reportedly programmed with instructions regarding required terminology, correct definitions and application of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), expectations around diversity plans, hiring strategies, and other nuances specific to EIC evaluations. The stated goal of this feature is to help applicants avoid common technical mistakes – errors in form rather than substance – that can lead to early rejection. This directly addresses a known frustration point where applications fail due to non-compliance with poorly communicated or complex requirements.
Red Flag Avoidance
Building upon rule awareness, ChatEIC explicitly promotes its ability to help applicants steer clear of common “red flags” that can trigger negative evaluations. These potential pitfalls span various aspects of the proposal, including the composition and completeness of the team, the substantiation of technological claims, the structure and eligibility of funding requests, the realism of financial projections, alignment with broader EU policies (like the Green Deal or strategic autonomy goals), articulation of social impacts, and adherence to gender equality principles. Since evaluators assess proposals based on criteria encompassing Excellence, Impact, and Implementation, which inherently cover these areas, this feature aims to proactively structure the generated content to align with evaluator expectations and mitigate risks associated with common applicant errors. The focus on these compliance aspects positions the tool not just as a text generator, but as a navigational aid designed to help users traverse the perceived complexities and potential arbitrariness of the EIC evaluation framework.
Practical & Convenient Outputs
Recognizing the practical needs of applicants, ChatEIC delivers its output in a user-friendly format: a downloadable and editable Microsoft Word file (.docx). This choice ensures broad compatibility and allows users to easily integrate images, charts, or other visual elements, perform final edits, track changes, and collaborate with team members or consultants before submission. The provision of unlimited downloads for generated content adds to the convenience.
Flexibility in Use
ChatEIC offers several modes of operation to suit different workflows:
- Modular Generation: Users are not forced to generate the entire proposal simultaneously. They can opt to create individual sections or modules, allowing for focused work on specific parts of the application or iterative refinement of particular arguments.
- Template Integration: For users seeking more structure, ChatEIC provides a template that can be filled out to guide the AI’s generation process. This offers a more directed way to provide input compared to uploading unstructured documents. This integration represents an application of EIC Accelerator Template AI.
- Revision Capability: The tool can ingest existing proposals, including previously rejected ones, and use them as a basis for generating a revised version. This feature provides a pathway for applicants seeking to improve upon past submissions by leveraging the AI’s EIC-specific knowledge and structuring capabilities.
Table: ChatEIC Core Features
Feature Name | Brief Description |
AI Draft Generation | Generates proposal text based on user inputs (text, files, template). |
Input Flexibility | Accepts various input formats: pitch decks, business plans, text, template data. |
EIC Rule Awareness | Programmed with specific EIC Accelerator rules, terminology, TRLs, etc., to enhance compliance. |
Red Flag Avoidance | Designed to structure content to avoid common errors in areas like team, tech, funding, financials, policy. |
Modular Generation | Allows generation of individual proposal sections or the entire document. |
Template Use | Provides an optional template to structure input for the AI. |
Revision Capability | Can process existing/rejected proposals to generate revised drafts. |
Word Output | Delivers the final draft as an editable and formatted .docx file for easy finalization and collaboration. |
The Value Proposition: Why Consider ChatEIC for Your EIC Application?
ChatEIC positions itself as a valuable tool for EIC Accelerator applicants by emphasizing several key benefits centered around efficiency, cost, compliance, and quality improvement. Its value proposition targets the specific pain points experienced by startups, SMEs, and consultants navigating this demanding funding landscape.
Hastighed og effektivitet
One of the most prominent claims is the dramatic reduction in writing time. ChatEIC asserts it can produce a full Step 1 proposal draft in “minutes,” potentially saving 99% of the time compared to manual writing, which can often take a month or more, especially for less experienced writers. For resource-constrained startups where key personnel are juggling multiple roles, or for consultants managing several clients, this potential for acceleration is a significant draw.
Cost-Effectiveness
Compared to the traditional route of hiring specialized consultants for proposal preparation, ChatEIC presents a markedly more affordable alternative. With pricing starting at €200 for its basic package, it claims to cost at least 95% less than typical consultancy fees for a Step 1 proposal, which are cited as often being €5,000 or higher. This positions AI-assisted writing as a financially accessible option for early-stage companies or those operating on tighter budgets.
Quality and Compliance
Beyond speed and cost, ChatEIC emphasizes the quality and compliance of its output. It claims to produce “high-quality” proposals by leveraging its EIC-specific knowledge base. This includes adhering to EIC rules, using appropriate language, and structuring content effectively to avoid common pitfalls and technical rejections. The tool aims to address frequent applicant mistakes, such as poor allocation of content across sections—spending too much text on less critical areas and insufficient detail on key evaluation points. By providing a well-structured and compliant draft, it seeks to improve the baseline quality of the application. The creator, Dr. Segler, has expressed positive impressions of the output quality even from diverse input data.
Reduced Research Burden
The EIC program landscape is acknowledged as complex and subject to frequent changes, making it difficult for applicants to stay current with requirements and best practices. Much online information quickly becomes outdated. ChatEIC aims to alleviate this burden by incorporating up-to-date knowledge of the EIC program into its system, reducing the need for applicants to spend extensive time on research and allowing them to focus more on their core innovation and business strategy.
Role as an AI Assistant/Co-Pilot
ChatEIC is often framed not as a complete replacement for human effort but as a powerful AI EIC Accelerator Assistant or “co-pilot”. It excels at generating a solid first draft, ensuring structural integrity, handling standardized sections, and embedding compliance checks. This frees up the human user—be it the entrepreneur or consultant—to focus on higher-level tasks: refining the strategic narrative, adding unique insights, ensuring factual accuracy, and polishing the final text. This collaborative framing manages expectations about full automation, particularly for the highly nuanced requirements of a winning proposal, while highlighting the tool’s potential to significantly augment the user’s capabilities and contribute to AI for EIC Accelerator Success.
The emphasis on efficiency (speed, cost, reduced research) and risk mitigation (compliance, red flag avoidance) suggests ChatEIC strongly targets applicants primarily concerned with overcoming the procedural hurdles and resource limitations inherent in the EIC application process. While quality is mentioned, the most tangible benefits promoted relate to making the demanding process faster, cheaper, and safer from a compliance perspective. This resonates with applicants who fear rejection based on technicalities rather than the merit of their innovation. However, the “co-pilot” positioning and the availability of supplementary human review services implicitly signal that the AI output likely requires human intervention and strategic refinement to achieve the level of sophistication needed to be truly competitive, especially for the more complex Step 2 business plan and the critical Step 3 interview.
Table: ChatEIC Value Proposition Comparison
Feature | ChatEIC (AI Tool) | Manual Writing (In-house) | Traditional Consultant | Generic AI (e.g., ChatGPT) |
Speed (Drafting) | Very High (Minutes/Hours) | Low (Weeks/Months) | Medium (Days/Weeks) | High (Minutes/Hours) |
Cost | Low (€200-€500 + Subs.) | Medium (Staff Time) | Very High (€5k+) | Very Low (Subscription) |
EIC Specificity | High (Programmed Knowledge) | Variable (Depends on Team) | High (Expert Knowledge) | Very Low (Generic) |
Compliance Assurance | High (Rule/Flag Focused) | Variable | High | Very Low |
Initial Draft Quality | Medium-High (Structured) | Variable | Potentially Very High | Low-Medium (Generic) |
User Effort Required | Medium (Input Prep, Review) | Very High (Full Writing) | Low (Oversight) | High (Prompting, Editing) |
Note: Ratings are qualitative based on provided research.
Practical Implementation: Pricing, Services, and Use Cases
Understanding the practical aspects of using ChatEIC, including its cost structure, available services, and typical application scenarios, is crucial for potential users evaluating its fit for their needs.
Pricing Model
ChatEIC employs a credit-based pricing system for its core AI generation service. The generation of each distinct module or section within the EIC proposal consumes 1 credit. Given that a typical Step 1 proposal comprises approximately 50 such modules, the credit packages translate into a certain number of full proposal draft generations. The available tiers are :
- Basic: €200 for 100 credits (sufficient for approximately 2 full Step 1 proposal versions).
- Premium: €300 for 200 credits (sufficient for approximately 4 full Step 1 proposal versions).
- Enterprise: €500 for 500 credits (sufficient for approximately 10 full Step 1 proposal versions).
This structure provides volume discounts at higher tiers, catering to users with different needs—from a single startup making one application to a consultant managing multiple clients or requiring more iterations. The credit system itself, allowing for multiple versions, inherently supports an iterative workflow. It anticipates that users may need to regenerate modules or entire drafts as they refine their input data or review the AI’s output, rather than expecting a perfect result in a single pass. Access also requires an active OpenAI subscription for the underlying GPT technology.
Additional Services
Beyond the core AI writing tool, ChatEIC offers supplementary services, bridging the gap between AI assistance and expert human support :
- Training & Templates (€900): This package provides access to a comprehensive library of over 70 training modules covering various aspects of the EIC Accelerator application, along with templates for both Step 1 and Step 2 proposals. This offers structured learning and resources to complement the AI tool. Standalone templates are also seemingly available for purchase separately.
- Professional Review (€700): Applicants can have their generated proposal draft reviewed by the creator, Stephan Segler, PhD. This service adds a layer of expert human quality control and feedback to the AI-generated output.
This combination of a tiered AI software offering with distinct, higher-cost human-centric services (training, review) alongside the full consultancy services offered by the creator’s firm points towards a hybrid business model. ChatEIC can function as a standalone, scalable, lower-cost solution, but it also serves as an entry point that can potentially lead users towards more comprehensive, higher-value human-led support for more complex needs, such as Step 2 preparation or interview coaching.
Table: ChatEIC Pricing & Services
Software Tiers
Tier Name | Price (€) | Credits | Approx. Step 1 Versions |
Grundlæggende | 200 | 100 | ~2 |
Premium | 300 | 200 | ~4 |
Enterprise | 500 | 500 | ~10 |
Additional Services
Service Name | Price (€) | Beskrivelse |
Training & Templates | 900 | Access to 70+ training modules and Step 1 & 2 proposal templates. |
Professional Review | 700 | Expert review of the proposal draft by Stephan Segler, PhD. |
Recommended Use Cases
Based on the platform’s descriptions, several common scenarios illustrate how ChatEIC can be utilized :
- Structured Approach (Template + File): This is presented as the optimal method. The user fills out the provided structured template to give the AI a clear overview and supplements this with uploaded files (e.g., technical documents, detailed business plan sections) for depth. Generating “All Modules” from this comprehensive input is expected to yield the most robust draft.
- Minimal Input (Pitch Deck Only): For applicants with less documentation, ChatEIC can generate a proposal draft based primarily on an uploaded pitch deck. The AI attempts to extract key information and expand upon it to fit the proposal structure. This is useful for getting a starting point quickly.
- Leveraging Existing Content (Large Text Input): Companies with substantial existing written materials (reports, previous applications, detailed internal documents) can upload these large files. ChatEIC is designed to parse this extensive input and select the relevant content needed for each specific section of the EIC proposal, effectively repurposing existing information into the required format.
- Review and Benchmarking (Existing Proposal): Even if a company has already manually drafted a proposal, generating a version through ChatEIC can serve as a valuable check. It allows comparison of structure, phrasing, and content allocation. It can help identify potential non-compliance with EIC rules or highlight sections where the AI’s EIC-specific phrasing might be stronger. Users can then selectively incorporate the best parts of the AI-generated draft into their own work.
The Broader Context: AI Tools and the Evolving EIC Landscape
The emergence of tools like ChatEIC occurs within a dynamic context, shaped by the broader adoption of AI in content creation and specific changes within the EIC’s own application infrastructure.
The Rise of AI in Grant Writing
The use of AI for generating written content has rapidly moved into the mainstream, fueled by the accessibility and power of large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This trend extends to specialized fields like grant writing, where AI tools are being explored for tasks ranging from preliminary research and drafting initial text sections to refining language and checking for consistency. While generic tools like ChatGPT can provide basic drafting assistance, their lack of domain-specific knowledge often limits their effectiveness for highly specialized applications like the EIC Accelerator, which demand deep understanding of specific criteria, terminology, and evaluation nuances. This creates a niche for specialized AI tools trained on specific program requirements, such as ChatEIC or other platforms like Oroka’s Alberta.
The EIC’s AI Platform Journey
Interestingly, the EIC itself pioneered the use of a dedicated digital platform incorporating AI features for Accelerator applications, launched in 2021. This “EIC AI-Based Platform” aimed to support applicants through various modules, including diagnostic tools to assess project fit and AI assistance for proposal development, potentially reducing information asymmetry between innovators and evaluators.
However, this platform encountered operational challenges. Due to a contractual dispute, the EIC discontinued its dedicated AI Platform on June 2, 2023. This necessitated an emergency transition back to more conventional submission systems. As a result, EIC Accelerator applications are now managed through two separate systems: Step 1 (Short Proposals) are submitted via a new, dedicated IT platform designed to handle its specific requirements (form, deck, video), while Step 2 (Full Proposals) are submitted through the standard Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal using the Submission & Evaluation Platform (SEP). During this transition, the EIC also took the opportunity to simplify and restructure the application forms based on feedback, aiming to better align them with investor expectations.
The EIC’s own experience with developing and maintaining a sophisticated, specialized AI application platform highlights the inherent complexities and potential pitfalls of implementing such systems within the operational and procurement frameworks of a large public funding body. The eventual reversion to more standard platforms, necessitated by contractual issues, suggests that maintaining agility and specialized functionality in this domain can be challenging for public institutions. This operational reality potentially creates a more favorable environment for private sector solutions like ChatEIC, which can operate with greater flexibility and focus exclusively on the niche requirements of EIC applicants.
Positioning ChatEIC in the Current Ecosystem
The discontinuation of the EIC’s own AI platform arguably strengthens the case for specialized third-party tools like ChatEIC. While the official platform offered integrated AI support and diagnostics , the current setup relies on more generic submission portals (SEP and the new Step 1 platform), even with simplified forms. Applicants who previously benefited from the guided structure and AI assistance of the official platform may now find a gap in support. ChatEIC, with its explicit focus on EIC rules, red flag avoidance, and proposal structuring based on expert knowledge , directly addresses this potential gap. It offers a layer of specialized guidance and compliance checking that may no longer be as integrated into the official application process itself. Compared to generic AI tools lacking EIC-specific training, ChatEIC’s targeted approach and backing by a domain expert provide a distinct advantage for navigating the unique demands of the Accelerator program.
Conclusion: Is ChatEIC the Right AI Assistant for Your EIC Accelerator Journey?
Recap of ChatEIC’s Strengths
ChatEIC presents a compelling proposition for startups, SMEs, and consultants tackling the EIC Accelerator application. Its key strengths lie in its deep specialization on this specific funding program, particularly the critical Step 1 proposal stage. It leverages AI powered by expert knowledge, attributed to creator Dr. Stephan Segler’s experience as a grant writer, aiming to embed understanding of EIC rules, expectations, and common pitfalls directly into the tool. This focus translates into features designed for compliance assurance and red flag avoidance, addressing a major source of applicant anxiety and rejection. Furthermore, it offers significant potential for time and cost savings compared to traditional methods , coupled with the practical convenience of delivering drafts in an editable Word format.
Considerations for Potential Users
While powerful, potential users should view ChatEIC realistically as an AI EIC Accelerator Assistant eller co-pilot, rather than a fully autonomous EIC Accelerator AI Proposal Writer. The quality of its output is inherently linked to the quality and completeness of the input provided by the user. While it can generate a structured, compliant draft rapidly, achieving the level of nuance, strategic depth, and persuasive storytelling required for success in the highly competitive EIC environment necessitates human oversight, critical review, and refinement. Users must be prepared to actively engage with the tool, potentially iterating on inputs and outputs, and ultimately taking ownership of the final proposal content. Its primary strength lies in streamlining the Step 1 process; significant additional effort, potentially involving consultancy or deep in-house expertise, will likely be required for the comprehensive Step 2 business plan and the crucial Step 3 interview preparation.
Final Assessment
ChatEIC represents a noteworthy development in the toolkit available to EIC Accelerator applicants. By combining generative AI capabilities with specialized knowledge of the EIC’s complex requirements, it offers a potentially valuable resource for improving efficiency and mitigating compliance risks, particularly during the challenging Step 1 submission phase. Its specific focus on the EIC Accelerator gives it a distinct advantage over generic AI writing tools for this particular task. For teams seeking to accelerate their Step 1 preparation, reduce costs, and enhance their proposal’s alignment with EIC expectations, ChatEIC warrants serious consideration as part of their application strategy. It is a tool designed to help navigate the bureaucratic elements of the process, freeing up valuable human resources to focus on the core innovation and strategic vision essential for achieving AI for EIC Accelerator Success.
Innovation Fund Grant by the European Commission
EU Innovation Fund 2025–2026: Application Guide, Deadlines & Success Tips
The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for innovative clean technologies, aimed at bringing net-zero solutions to market at scale. Funded by revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), it supports first-of-a-kind projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Europe reach climate neutrality. This overview explains what the Innovation Fund is, who can apply, how the application process works, and provides guidance – from key 2025 and 2026 deadlines to tips for preparing a strong Innovation Fund proposal. Whether you plan to apply on your own or with an Innovation Fund consultant or proposal writer, these insights will help you navigate the process and improve your chances of Innovation Fund success.
What is the EU Innovation Fund?
The EU Innovation Fund provides major grants for deploying innovative net-zero technologies at industrial scale, funded by the EU ETS. The Innovation Fund is a climate-focused funding program established by the European Commission (DG CLIMA) to finance the demonstration and scale-up of innovative low-carbon technologies. It succeeds the earlier NER300 program and is expected to allocate around €38 billion by 2030 toward cutting-edge decarbonization projects. Unlike traditional R&D funding (e.g. Horizon Europe), the Innovation Fund is not for basic research – it targets projects at the pilot, demonstration, or first industrial deployment stage, bridging the gap to commercial viability. By covering up to 60% of relevant project costs (with grants ranging from millions to hundreds of millions of euros), it helps companies overcome high upfront costs and risks, enabling them to bring innovative climate solutions to market faster.
- Purpose: The fund’s purpose is to drive significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in hard-to-abate sectors while strengthening EU industrial competitiveness. It supports projects in areas such as renewable energy, energy storage, energy-intensive industries (like steel, cement, chemicals), carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and other breakthrough clean technologies. By investing in these first-of-a-kind projects, the Innovation Fund aims to pave the way to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal and the Net-Zero Industry Act. Successful projects are expected to deliver sizable CO₂ reduction over 10 years of operation and act as trailblazers that can be replicated across Europe.
- Scale: The Innovation Fund runs annual calls for proposals from 2020 through 2030, funded through the auctioning of EU ETS allowances. Each call makes billions of euros available. For example, the 2024/25 call (for the 2025 cycle) offers about €3.4 billion in grants – €2.4 billion for a broad Net-Zero Technologies call and €1 billion for a dedicated Battery Manufacturing call. In addition, the Fund has introduced competitive hydrogen auctions (under the European Hydrogen Bank) to support renewable hydrogen production. The scale of funding is massive: a recent 2023 call awarded €4.2 billion to 77 projects across 18 countries, with individual grants up to €262 million for flagship projects. This scale makes the Innovation Fund a highly attractive opportunity for companies with bold climate innovation projects.
Who Can Apply and What Projects Are Eligible?
- Eligible Applicants: In principle, any legal entity – private company, public body, consortium, small or large – can apply for Innovation Fund support, as long as it is registered in an eligible country. Eligible countries include all EU Member States plus countries in the European Economic Area that participate in the EU ETS (currently Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). Applicants may apply individually (a single company or organization) or as a consortium of several partners. Unlike some EU programs, a consortium is not mandatory; a single company can submit a proposal on its own. However, all projects must be carried out within the eligible countries (i.e. the project’s site and impact should be in the EU/EEA).
- Eligible Projects: The Innovation Fund supports a wide range of project types, but with a common theme – innovative technologies with significant climate impact that are ready for scale-up. Key characteristics of eligible projects include:
- Climate Impact: The project should substantially reduce GHG emissions in one of the eligible sectors. These sectors cover renewable energy (e.g. next-generation solar, wind, renewable hydrogen), energy storage, energy-intensive industries (e.g. low-carbon steel, cement, chemicals processes), carbon capture, utilization and storage, alternative fuels, net-zero mobility, and even climate-friendly building technologies. The expected CO₂ (or equivalent) emission avoidance over 10 years is a critical factor – projects must quantify how much emissions they will avoid compared to conventional technology.
- Innovative Technology: Projects must feature a high degree of innovation. Typically, this means a first-of-a-kind or new technology at industrial scale that is not yet commercially available in the market. In terms of Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the Innovation Fund is generally looking at around TRL 8 – i.e. technology that has proven itself at pilot scale and is now at first commercial demonstration. Pure research or lab projects (TRL 6-7 or below) are not funded; instead, the project should be at the cusp of commercialization, demonstrating a breakthrough solution in a real operational environment. This focus ensures the fund backs innovative projects that will deploy new technology, rather than research projects or already fully commercial solutions.
- Maturity and Viability: Only projects that are sufficiently mature in planning, business model, and financial structure are considered. In practice, this means by the time of application you should have a well-developed project: feasibility studies done, a business plan, engineering plans, and ideally key permits in progress. The EU expects an Innovation Fund project to be investment-ready – something you could present to investors or your company’s board for a final investment decision. Early-stage ideas without concrete implementation plans will likely be rejected. Moreover, the project must not have started implementation before application – e.g. construction should not be underway and no irrevocable contracts signed. (Preparatory steps like securing land or preliminary permits are fine.)
- Project Size: The fund caters to both large projects and small projects, but they may be addressed via different calls or streams. Historically, “large-scale” projects were defined as those with capital expenditure above €7.5 million, and “small-scale” below €7.5 million. In recent calls, the Commission further stratified project sizes – for instance, the 2024/25 call was structured to consider large projects (CAPEX over €100m), medium projects (€20–100m), and small projects (€2.5–20m) in separate categories. Pilot projects (highly innovative but not yet proven at scale) are also given a special track. This means projects of various scales can compete – whether you’re planning a €10 million pilot plant or a €200 million commercial facility, there is a pathway to apply. Keep in mind, however, that the bigger the climate impact (and the funding ask), the stiffer the competition.
In summary, eligible projects are those that present a compelling, innovative solution to cut emissions in Europe, with a well-prepared plan and located in an eligible country. If your project meets these criteria, you can consider preparing an Innovation Fund application.
How to Apply: The Innovation Fund Application Process
- Call for Proposals: To seek funding, project promoters must apply to an open Innovation Fund call for proposals. Calls are typically announced annually (usually in the late fall or winter) on the European Commission’s website and the EU’s Funding & Tenders portal. For example, the call for the 2025 cycle opened on 3 December 2024. All application materials are submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders portal – there is no paper or email submission. Prospective applicants should first create an EU Login account and register their organization in the portal (if not already done) to access the application forms.
- Single-Stage Application: Currently, the Innovation Fund uses a single-stage application process for its main calls. This means applicants must prepare a full project proposal in one go (unlike some EU programs that have a concept note first). Do not underestimate the effort – a complete Innovation Fund proposal can run 200–300 pages including technical annexes. You will need to fill out detailed application forms and upload numerous documents: a project description, business plan, financial model, implementation plan, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculations, and more. The application requires rigorous analysis – for instance, you must calculate the baseline and projected emissions (using the methodologies provided by the EU), perform a cost analysis, and often conduct a Life Cycle Assessment. Preparing these materials can take several months of work by a multidisciplinary team, so it’s crucial to start early.
- Evaluation: Once the submission deadline passes, all proposals undergo a thorough eligibility check and then an evaluation by independent experts appointed by the European Commission. Each eligible proposal is scored against five key award criteria:
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Avoidance – How much emissions will the project avoid or reduce? (The higher and more cost-effective the savings, the better.)
- Degree of Innovation – How novel and groundbreaking is the technology compared to the state-of-the-art?
- Project Maturity – How developed is the project in terms of planning, permitting, financing, and readiness to execute?
- Scalability/Replicability – Can the solution be scaled up or replicated elsewhere, maximizing impact across the EU?
- Cost Efficiency – How cost-effective is the project, measured as the amount of funding requested per tonne of CO₂ equivalent avoided? Projects receive scores in each category. Only those that meet minimum thresholds in all criteria are considered for funding, and then the highest-scoring proposals are selected until the call’s budget is exhausted. Notably, selection is technology-neutral and geography-neutral: there are no set quotas by sector or country – a proposal’s merit is judged purely on these criteria. This makes the competition intense. (For instance, the 2023 call received 337 applications from across Europe, of which only 85 projects were pre-selected for grants.) After evaluation, typically a ranked list of winning projects is announced (usually by late in the year). Projects that were highly rated but not funded (due to budget limits) may be put on a reserve list – sometimes, if others withdraw, reserve projects get a chance, as happened in 2024. All applicants receive feedback. High-quality proposals that didn’t get funded also receive a “Seal of Excellence” (STEP) as a recognition, which can help in seeking other financing.
- Timeline from Application to Grant: The process from submission to receiving funds is lengthy. For the 2025 call, for example, the deadline was 24 April 2025 and results are expected by Q4 2025, with grant agreements signed by Q1 2026. In other words, roughly 8–10 months pass between the deadline and the grant agreement. Overall, from the time you start preparing your proposal to the time you might actually launch your funded project can be well over a year. According to the EU, evaluation results for spring submissions come in the late fall, and if selected, you’ll sign a grant agreement a few months after that. Projects then have up to four years to reach financial close and begin implementation. This means applicants should plan for a long lead time and ensure their project’s timeline can accommodate this.
- Application Tips: Be sure to carefully read the official call documentation and guidance provided on the Funding & Tenders portal. The European Commission usually provides detailed instructions, templates, and even webinars or info days for applicants (for example, an info day was held in December 2024 for the IF24 call). Make use of the Q&A if something is unclear. And importantly, submit before the deadline – the portal will close promptly at the deadline (typically 17:00 CET on the due date), and late submissions are not accepted. It’s wise to upload your files a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Working with an Innovation Fund Consultant or Writer
Preparing a winning Innovation Fund application is a complex, resource-intensive task. Many companies choose to engage an Innovation Fund consultant or proposal writer to improve their chances of success. Should you consider hiring one? Here’s how a knowledgeable consultant or grant writer can add value:
- Strategic Guidance and Feasibility Check: Experienced Innovation Fund consultants will first assess whether your project is a good fit for the fund’s objectives and criteria. They often conduct a viability check or project assessment to judge the project’s strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition. If your project concept is still too early-stage or missing key elements, a consultant can advise whether to proceed now or perhaps refine and apply in a future call (a go/no-go recommendation). This saves you from investing effort in an application that isn’t ready.
- Aligning the Project with Funding Criteria: A consultant brings expertise on the Innovation Fund’s evaluation criteria and European policy priorities. They can help scope your project to align with what evaluators expect – ensuring you highlight the aspects that score points. For example, they might assist in calculating the GHG emission avoidance using the proper methodology, or suggest ways to emphasize your project’s contribution to EU climate targets and the Green Deal. They will make sure your project narrative addresses each of the five criteria (innovation, impact, maturity, scalability, cost) in a convincing manner.
- Proposal Writing and Documentation: Crafting a clear, compelling proposal is an art. Innovation Fund writers are skilled in articulating complex technical projects in a way that is persuasive to evaluators. They can take the lead in writing the application documents or provide substantial editing and feedback to polish your drafts. They ensure the language is clear, the objectives and impacts are well explained, and that every required detail or annex is provided. A good grant writer will also help avoid common pitfalls – like inconsistencies between the technical and financial sections, or missing information that could cost points.
- Project Management of the Application: Because an Innovation Fund application has many pieces (technical plan, financial model, environmental analysis, etc.), consultants often act as project managers for the proposal process. They will set timelines, coordinate input from different departments or partners, and check that all forms are correctly filled. They also make sure the final submission is complete and on time, uploading everything to the portal well ahead of the deadline.
- Expertise from Past Successes: Seasoned Innovation Fund consultants have typically been involved in multiple applications and know what a successful proposal looks like. Many are engineers or finance experts who can validate your data or strengthen your business case. For instance, they can review your cost assumptions or suggest improvements to your risk mitigation plan. Some consultancies even offer grant agreement negotiation support if you win. This end-to-end support can be invaluable, especially for first-time applicants or smaller companies with limited in-house proposal capacity.
Is it worth it? While hiring a consultant is an added cost, it can significantly increase your proposal’s quality and success odds. Given the scale of funding at stake (potentially tens of millions of euros in a grant), the investment in professional support often pays off. In past Innovation Fund rounds, many winning projects had expert consultants or writers behind them. For example, regional agencies have helped local companies secure funding – two Bavarian cleantech projects won €91 million in Innovation Fund grants with support. Likewise, several of the 85 projects selected in the 2023 call were prepared with the help of specialized consulting firms. These experts can navigate the process more efficiently and help you avoid mistakes that might derail an otherwise good project.
Of course, using a consultant is not mandatory – many organizations prepare successful applications in-house, especially if they have strong grant writing teams. But if you are new to EU funding or lack the internal resources, engaging an Innovation Fund consultant or proposal writer is a wise consideration. At minimum, you might seek an external review of your proposal before submission to get objective feedback.
- Choosing a consultant: If you do seek external help, look for firms or individuals with a track record in Innovation Fund or similar EU climate/innovation programs. Ask about their success rate, and ensure they understand the technical aspects of your project. Clear agreements on scope (e.g. writing vs. advising) and confidentiality are important. Ultimately, the proposal is yours – but a consultant can be a valuable partner in shaping and communicating your vision.
Key Innovation Fund Deadlines and Calls for 2025 & 2026
Timing is critical when planning your Innovation Fund application. Below are the key dates and deadlines for the 2025 call and what is expected for 2026:
- 2025 Call (IF24): The main Innovation Fund call for what we’re calling the 2025 cycle opened on 3 December 2024, and the deadline to submit applications was 24 April 2025. This call, often referred to as IF24, actually encompasses multiple tracks: a general Net-Zero Technologies call (€2.4 billion budget) and a Battery Manufacturing call (€1 billion) launched simultaneously. Both had the same April 24, 2025 deadline. In parallel, the second hydrogen auction (for green hydrogen projects under the European Hydrogen Bank) was launched on 3 December 2024 with a submission deadline of 20 February 2025. Prospective applicants needed to submit their full proposals by these dates via the EU portal. After submission, the evaluation results are expected in late 2025 (the Commission indicated Q4 2025) and grant awards should be finalized by Q1 2026. That means successful projects from the 2025 call can likely start in early 2026.
- 2026 Call (expected IF25): The European Commission typically launches a new Innovation Fund call each December. Following this pattern, the call for 2026 funding is expected to be published in December 2025. While official details will come in late 2025, applicants can anticipate a similar structure – potentially a large general call (possibly focusing on priority areas aligned with EU climate policy) and maybe specialized calls or auctions (e.g. hydrogen) as the Commission continues its funding strategy. The submission deadline is likely in spring 2026, possibly around April 2026 (indicative). For instance, if the call opens mid-December 2025, the deadline could fall in April 2026 after roughly a 4-month window for applications. Always check the official announcement for the exact date – it will be published on the EU Climate Action site and Funding & Tenders portal. As of now (May 2025), we expect the timeline for the 2026 call to mirror previous rounds: launch in Dec 2025, deadline around April 2026, results by late 2026, and grants signed by early 2027.
- Future Calls: The Innovation Fund will continue beyond 2026 with annual calls up to 2030, subject to the availability of ETS revenue. Each year’s call may have different focus areas or dedicated budgets (the Commission has been aligning calls with initiatives like the Net-Zero Industry Act and REPowerEU). So if your project isn’t ready in time for 2025 or 2026, you can aim for subsequent calls – but note that competition is increasing as the fund gains popularity. Staying informed on the latest call topics and requirements is important (sign up for EU Climate Action newsletters or check their website regularly).
Deadlines are absolute. Missing a deadline means waiting for the next call (usually a year later). So, once call dates are announced, work backwards to plan your proposal preparation. Many successful applicants actually begin developing their proposals months in advance of the call launch. For example, to meet an April deadline, it’s wise to start serious preparations by the previous fall at the latest. Some even start gathering data a year earlier, especially for complex engineering projects.
Finally, beyond the application deadlines, keep an eye on any support activities around the calls. The Commission and CINEA (the agency implementing the fund) often host Info Days, webinars, and “orientation dialogues” for applicants a few weeks after a call opens, where you can ask questions and clarify doubts. These events typically occur in December or January for a call closing in spring. They are announced on the Innovation Fund website and are usually free to join. Taking advantage of these can give you useful insights into what evaluators are looking for and any new elements in a particular call.
Best Practices for a Strong Innovation Fund Proposal
Securing an Innovation Fund grant is challenging – but with the right approach, you can significantly improve your proposal’s chances of success. Here are some best practices and success tips for crafting a winning Innovation Fund proposal:
- Start Early and Plan Thoroughly: As mentioned, preparing the application is a big undertaking (hundreds of pages of documentation) that requires substantial time. Begin organizing your team and tasks as soon as possible – ideally 6+ months before the deadline. Break down the work: technical design, emissions calculations, financial modeling, permits, etc. Create a timeline with internal checkpoints. This ensures you won’t be scrambling last minute. Tip: If the call isn’t open yet, use the previous call’s documents as a guide – the requirements are often similar, and you can draft much in advance.
- Understand the Evaluation Criteria and Tailor Your Proposal Accordingly: Align every section of your proposal with the five criteria (GHG impact, innovation, maturity, scalability, cost). Make it easy for evaluators to see how you excel in each area. For example, dedicate a section to quantifying your greenhouse gas avoidance (with clear calculations and references to the provided methodology) and highlight the figure (e.g. “Our project will avoid ~XXX,000 tonnes of CO₂e per year by 2030”). Underline what is innovative about your technology and how it differs from the state-of-art – remember only projects truly novel relative to current solutions will be financed. Demonstrate project maturity by listing permits, offtake agreements, or partnerships in place, and a solid execution plan (showing the project is essentially ready to build pending funding). Discuss scalability/replicability – e.g. could this be rolled out to 10 other sites, or pave the way for an entire industry’s transition? Provide evidence, if available (letters of interest, etc.). And pay attention to cost efficiency: the grant amount you request should be justified by the climate impact. Projects are scored on euros per tonne of CO₂ avoided, so if your cost per tonne is high, explain why (perhaps it’s a first-of-kind issue that will improve, etc.) and show awareness of cost effectiveness.
- Develop a Solid Business Case: Treat your Innovation Fund proposal like an investment prospectus for a new venture. The evaluators want to see that the project makes sense financially and managerially, not just technically. Include a thorough business plan and financial model – these are mandatory annexes. Show your projected CAPEX, OPEX, revenues (if any), and how the project will achieve long-term viability. If the project isn’t economically viable without carbon pricing or support, be frank but outline how it contributes to learning or future cost reductions. Emphasize co-financing sources: remember the fund typically co-finances up to 60% of the additional costs, so you need to demonstrate where the rest of the investment will come from (e.g. company equity, bank loans, national grants). A clear financing strategy and letters of support from investors or banks can strongly bolster the maturity and credibility of your proposal. Also, detail your project team’s experience – show that the consortium or company has the know-how to deliver this project.
- Highlight the Climate Additionality: The Innovation Fund is about maximizing climate impact. Your proposal should clearly articulate why the project would not proceed (or would have much less climate benefit) without the grant. For example, perhaps the technology has high upfront costs or risks that the market won’t currently finance – hence the need for public support. By making this case, you address the underlying mission of the fund. Use data: e.g., “Without support, our innovative cement plant would operate at a 20% CO₂ reduction; with the Innovation Fund grant, we can achieve 90% reduction, eliminating an extra 500,000 tCO₂/year that would otherwise continue to be emitted.”
- Ensure Technical Soundness and Detail: While the proposal is not an academic paper, it needs to convince experts that your tech is scientifically and technically credible. Provide enough detail on the technology (design, process flow, etc.) to show you have a handle on it. Include results from pilot trials or simulations to back up your claims of performance. If you’re using a novel process, mention any patents or publications, or expert endorsements. At the same time, keep explanations accessible – evaluators may not be specialists exactly in your niche, so explain any special terms or concepts. Use diagrams or charts (the application allows attachments) to illustrate the project design and timelines – a picture can convey a complex process much faster than text.
- Quantify Everything You Can: Wherever possible, provide quantitative evidence. Targets, metrics, and numbers make your proposal more convincing. For emissions, use the official calculation method and clearly state the total GHG emissions avoided over 10 years. For innovation, perhaps quantify efficiency gains (e.g. “50% less energy use than state-of-art”) or other performance improvements. For scalability, give a potential replication scenario (e.g. “if applied to all steel plants in Europe, this technology could mitigate X million tons CO₂ annually”). Hard numbers stick in reviewers’ minds and lend credibility (just ensure they are realistic and sourced).
- Be Clear and Concise: Clarity of writing is crucial. Evaluators have hundreds of pages to read; make their job easier by writing in a structured, concise manner. Use headings and sub-headings that mirror the evaluation criteria or the structure requested in the application form. Use bullet points or tables to summarize key information (e.g. a table of GHG calculations or a timeline of milestones). Avoid unnecessary jargon, and where technical terms are needed, provide a brief explanation. Remember, your proposal is essentially a pitch – it should tell a compelling story of innovation and impact, backed by evidence. Many companies use an Innovation Fund writer or at least have multiple reviewers edit the text for coherence and grammar – poor writing can obscure great ideas, so allocate time for proofreading and refining the narrative.
- Address Potential Risks Openly: Every innovative project has risks – technical failures, cost overruns, regulatory hurdles, etc. The application will typically ask for a risk assessment. Don’t shy away from this; instead, present a thoughtful risk mitigation plan. Identifying risks and proposing solutions (backup plans, additional support needed, phased approach, etc.) shows the evaluators that you are realistic and prepared, further reinforcing project maturity.
- Use the Resources and Templates Provided: The European Commission provides guidance documents, FAQs, and templates for a reason – to help you succeed. Use the official application form template as your outline and make sure you fill every section. Check the Commission’s FAQ or Helpdesk for any clarifications on scope or rules (for example, eligibility of certain costs). Additionally, reviewing the Innovation Fund’s past awarded projects descriptions (available on the official website) can give insight into what successful projects look like. It’s instructive to see summaries of funded projects to gauge the level of innovation and impact they demonstrated.
- Consider External Review or Support: Before submitting, it’s extremely valuable to have someone not directly involved in the writing review your proposal critically. This could be an internal colleague from another team, or an external consultant if you engaged one. They might catch omissions or parts that are unclear. If possible, do a mock evaluation – score your proposal against the five criteria honestly to see where you might be weak and then improve those sections. As noted in the previous section, an Innovation Fund consultant or writer can provide expert feedback and ensure your proposal is polished to a high standard, increasing your chance of success.
By 2025, the Innovation Fund has already financed dozens of cutting-edge projects (77 projects won grants under the 2023 call, plus 6 more from the reserve list), demonstrating that ambitious proposals can succeed. Learning from past successes can inform your own application strategy. Following these best practices will help your Innovation Fund proposal stand out in the competitive evaluation process. A strong, well-prepared application not only scores better, but also instills confidence in evaluators that your team can deliver the project in the real world – a crucial aspect for this fund.
Conclusion: Preparing for Innovation Fund Success
The EU Innovation Fund represents a golden opportunity in 2025, 2026, and beyond for innovators in clean technology and climate solutions. Its substantial funding can turn ambitious projects into reality, accelerating both your business growth and Europe’s path to net-zero emissions. To achieve Innovation Fund success, be proactive: plan ahead, craft a compelling proposal, and leverage all resources at your disposal – including the possibility of an Innovation Fund consultant or expert writer to strengthen your application.
Keep in mind the key deadlines (April 2025, and expected spring 2026 for the upcoming calls) and monitor the official EU channels for any updates or new opportunities. The process is demanding, but the rewards are high – not just in funding, but in prestige and momentum. Projects selected by the Innovation Fund are seen as trailblazers and often attract additional investors, partners, and public attention.
In summary, do your homework, tell a great story backed by solid data, and submit on time. Many organizations have walked this path and secured multi-million euro grants to realize their climate innovation dreams – with careful preparation, your project could be next. Good luck with your Innovation Fund application, and here’s to your potential success in the 2025 and 2026 funding cycles!
Understanding the EU Innovation Fund Application Form
The European Union’s Innovation Fund (INNOVFUND) supports innovative projects focused on low-carbon technologies. Applying for this funding requires navigating a specific application process, primarily through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The core of this process is the Application Form, a comprehensive document designed to capture all necessary administrative and technical details about a proposed project. This article provides a detailed overview based on the provided Version 4.0 (dated 15 November 2024) of the INNOVFUND Standard Application Form template. It’s important to note that this document serves as an example, and the actual forms available on the Portal may differ.
Structure of the Application Form
The application form is divided into two main parts:
- Part A: Administrative Forms: This section contains structured administrative information about the project and its participants. It is generated automatically by the IT system based on the data entered by the applicant directly into the Portal Submission System screens.
- Part B: Technical Description: This is a narrative description of the project’s technical aspects. Applicants must download the template from the Portal, complete it, and upload it as a PDF file, along with any required annexes.
Part A: Administrative Forms – Key Sections
Part A must be filled out directly online via the Portal. While the provided document is an example and not to be completed, it outlines the typical sections:
- General Information: Includes the call identifier, topic, type of action, proposal details (acronym, title, duration), abstract, keywords, and information on previous submissions. The proposal title should be understandable to non-specialists.
- Participants: Lists all participating organisations involved in the project. Detailed information for each participant is required, including legal name, address, legal status (public body, non-profit, SME status, etc.), and department details.
- Budget: An overview of the requested grant amount per beneficiary.
- Other Questions: This section may include details about project implementation locations and specific calculations related to the project’s goals, such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission avoidance (absolute and relative) and cost efficiency.
- Declarations: Applicants must make several declarations, confirming:
- Consent from all participants.
- Correctness and completeness of information.
- Compliance with eligibility criteria, absence of exclusion grounds, and financial/operational capacity.
- Acknowledgement of communication via the Portal and acceptance of its Terms & Conditions and Privacy Statement.
- For Lump Sum Grants, confirmation that the budget reflects usual cost accounting practices and excludes ineligible costs.
- Understanding that false statements can lead to administrative sanctions.
- The coordinator is responsible for their information, and each applicant for their own. A declaration of honour will be required if the proposal is funded.
The system includes validation checks, showing errors (which block submission) or warnings (which do not block submission but indicate missing/incorrect values).
Part B: Technical Description – Core Components
Part B requires a detailed narrative description and must adhere to specific formatting rules (e.g., page limits, font size, margins). Exceeding the page limit (typically 70 pages unless otherwise specified) will result in excess pages being disregarded. Hyperlinks should not be used for essential information.
Key sections within Part B include:
- Project and Applicants (Section 0): Provides background, rationale, objectives, introduces the consortium members, and outlines the project’s technical characteristics (location, technology, inputs, outputs). It also details the technology scope, construction, operation, maintenance plans, safety, reliability, and technical performance. For battery-related calls, specific details on chemistry and performance are needed.
- Degree of Innovation (Section 1): Describes the project’s innovation relative to the current commercial and technological state-of-the-art, focusing on European or relevant global levels. It must explain how the project goes beyond incremental innovation, referencing data from the feasibility study annex and detailing expected increases in readiness levels and barriers to overcome.
- GHG Emission Avoidance Potential (Section 2): Requires calculation of both absolute and relative GHG emission avoidance potential over 10 years post-operation, using the official methodology and calculator template. Assumptions for reference and project scenarios must be explained. Results must be consistent with Part C and the cost efficiency calculation. For projects under the EU ETS, emissions must be below the relevant benchmark. Projects using biomass must meet sustainability requirements. For battery projects, this section includes the manufacturing carbon footprint, though it’s also assessed separately.
- Manufacturing Carbon Footprint Reduction (Section 3, n/a for NZT call): Similar to GHG avoidance, this requires assessment and calculation using the specified methodology and template, detailing assumptions.
- Project Maturity (Section 4): Assesses the project’s readiness across technical, financial, and operational dimensions.
- Technical Maturity: Evidence of technology readiness, technical feasibility, risk assessment, and mitigation, supported by a mandatory feasibility study annex and potentially due diligence reports.
- Financial Maturity: Focuses on the business plan’s robustness, financing structure, and funder commitments. Requires annexes like a detailed budget/relevant cost calculator, business plan, financial model, and potentially shareholder statements and support documents. Summaries of the business proposition, cash flow projections, profitability (pre/post-grant), sensitivity analysis, financing plan, and funder commitments are needed.
- Operational Maturity: Demonstrates a comprehensive and realistic implementation plan. Details include the implementation timeline (Gantt chart required), key milestones (financial close, entry into operation), permitting strategy, operational strategy (maintenance, capacities), project management team (qualifications, skills), and project organisation (structure, governance, quality/safety processes). Information on intellectual property, permits, public acceptance, and environmental impacts is also required. A project diagram illustrating stakeholder relationships is expected.
- Risk Management: Details critical risks and the strategy to manage them, referencing the business plan and feasibility study.
- Replicability (Section 5): Describes the project’s potential for wider application. This includes addressing resource constraints (e.g., critical raw materials, biomass) through efficiency or circularity, potential for positive environmental impacts beyond GHG reduction (e.g., biodiversity, pollution reduction), and potential for deployment at other sites or across the economy. Quantification of expected emissions avoidance from replication is needed. It also covers contribution to Europe’s industrial leadership and competitiveness. Plans for knowledge sharing, communication, dissemination, and ensuring visibility of EU funding are outlined here.
- Security of Supply and Countering Dependency (Section 6, n/a for NZT call): Explains the project’s contribution to securing supply chains and reducing dependencies as per the Call document.
- Cost Efficiency (Section 7): Requires calculation of the cost efficiency ratio (Total requested grant + other public support / Absolute GHG avoidance over 10 years). This involves submitting detailed relevant cost calculations using the provided financial information file template and explaining the methodology used (e.g., standard or reference plant). The maximum grant cannot exceed 60% of relevant costs.
- Bonus Points (Section 8, n/a for BATTERIES call): Addresses any applicable bonus points mentioned in the Call document, requiring substantiation.
- Work Plan, Work Packages, Activities, Milestones, Deliverables, and Timing (Section 9): Provides a detailed breakdown of the project’s execution plan.
- Work Plan Overview: A list or chart of all work packages (WPs) with durations, deliverables, and milestones.
- Work Packages: Detailed descriptions of each WP. WPs are major sub-divisions with objectives, activities, milestones, and deliverables. Mandatory sequential WPs include: Up to Financial Close (WP1), Between Financial Close and Entry into Operation (WP2), and annual WPs for the operational/reporting phase (Years 1-3 or 1-X depending on the call). Additional WPs can be created by subdividing these.
- Activities: Specific tasks within each WP, showing participant involvement (Coordinator, Beneficiary, etc.). WP1 should detail documents needed for financial close.
- Milestones & Deliverables: Milestones are key control points. Mandatory milestones triggering payments include Financial Close (end of WP1), Entry into Operation (end of WP2), and annual GHG reporting (end of operational WPs). Means of verification for milestones are required. Deliverables are project outputs submitted to show progress, with defined due dates and dissemination levels (Public, Sensitive, EU Classified). Specific mandatory deliverables are listed in the Call document.
- Budget & Timing: References the detailed budget/relevant cost calculator and requires an attached timetable/Gantt chart.
- Other (Section 10): Typically includes sections on Ethics and Security, often marked as ‘Not applicable’ in the template.
- Declarations (Section 11): Includes confirmations regarding patents, prohibition of double funding (confirming no other EU grants cover the same costs), consent for potential Project Development Assistance (PDA) assessment by the EIB, agreement to be considered for national funding schemes (sharing proposal with national authorities), and consent to share basic project information with Member States.
Submission and Annexes
- The application must be prepared by the consortium and submitted online via the Portal by a representative before the deadline.
- Mandatory annexes include the detailed budget table/relevant cost calculator (Financial information file) and a timetable/Gantt chart. Other annexes like the feasibility study, business plan, and financial model are required as part of the Part B sections.
This detailed breakdown provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements and structure of the EU Innovation Fund Application Form based on the provided template document. Applicants should always refer to the specific Call document and the live forms within the Funding & Tenders Portal for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Crafting a Comprehensive Business Plan for Innovation Fund Applications
The provided document outlines a template for a detailed Business Plan, designed for submission as part of an application to the Innovation Fund. While using this specific template is recommended but not mandatory, applicants must ensure they provide a comparable level of detail and information for a thorough assessment. If any section is deemed not applicable, it should be marked and justified.
This business plan serves as a critical tool for evaluating the viability, financial soundness, and overall potential of a proposed project seeking funding. It requires a deep dive into various aspects of the project, from its core concept to risk management strategies.
- Project Identification
The plan begins with the fundamental identification of the project, requiring the clear statement of the project’s full name and its acronym.
- Business Proposition
This core section demands a clear articulation of the project’s business case:
- Product or Business Concept: Describe the underlying business model, the unique value proposition of the project compared to existing solutions, and its alignment with the company’s overall strategy.
- Targeted Market and Market Potential: Provide an overview of the general market and the specific market potential the project targets. This includes outlining the relevant regulatory environment and explaining how the project addresses market gaps, generates new demand or markets, expands existing ones, or adds value to current products/services.
- Commercialisation Strategy and Market Uptake: Detail the anticipated demand for the proposed products or services, identify key customer segments, and discuss any potential market entry barriers.
- Competitive Landscape: Outline the main competitors and alternative solutions currently in the market.
- Financial Assumptions
Transparency and justification are key in this section. Applicants must explain the assumptions behind their financial projections:
- Breakdown: Detail expected revenues, capital expenditure (CAPEX), and operational expenditure (OPEX) as used in the accompanying financial information file and the applicant’s detailed financial model. Projections must cover the project’s entire lifetime.
- Contingencies: Include a detailed justification for any contingencies applied to CAPEX and OPEX estimates.
- Underlying Data: Explain assumptions regarding volumes and prices related to off-takers, suppliers, and contractors. Crucially, precise references must be made to supporting documents (like feasibility studies or contract terms) that substantiate these assumptions. An overview table summarizing main parameters (value, unit, justification, document reference) is required.
- Project Counterparties and Contract Strategy
Understanding the ecosystem of the project is vital:
- Project Diagram: Include a diagram illustrating the relationships between all project parties (sponsors, shareholders, lenders, off-takers, suppliers, contractors, advisors, insurers, etc.) and the project itself. If a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is used, it should be specified. Legal and contractual relationships should be outlined.
- Description of Project Counterparties: Describe each counterparty, their role, contribution, and their technical, financial, and commercial standing (including track record, key financials, and credit ratings where available).
- Robustness and Strategy to Secure Contracts: Detail the main terms of indicative or secured supply, construction, and off-take agreements. Explain the strategy and current status for securing all key commercial contracts necessary for the operational phase.
- Detailed Cash Flow Projections and Project Profitability
This section focuses on the project’s financial performance:
- Cash Flow Projections: Describe the project’s cash flow projections as presented in the financial information file’s output sheets.
- Expected Project Profitability: Explain the project’s viability using Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) calculations, both before and after the requested Innovation Fund support, estimated over the project’s lifetime. Justify the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) used and the achievability of the assumed debt-to-equity ratio.
- Sensitivity Analysis
Applicants must assess how project profitability (NPV or IRR) is affected by key identified risks, demonstrating an understanding of potential financial vulnerabilities.
- Financing Plan
A clear picture of how the project will be funded is required:
- Funding Sources and Uses: Describe the project’s funding sources (equity, debt, public subsidies) and their intended uses, ensuring reconciliation with the summary chart in the financial information file. Specify the type, amount, and provider for each funding source.
- Financing Structure: Explain the equity injection plan, details of any debt financing (corporate or project level, recourse level), and justify expected debt terms based on project risks and cash flows. Provide supporting letters from financiers if possible.
- Allocation of Innovation Fund Grant: Explain how the requested grant’s lump-sum breakdown aligns proportionally with activities, work packages, and project milestones.
- Project Funders and Investor Commitment
Demonstrating robust financial backing is essential:
- Description of Financing Parties: Describe each funding provider, their contribution amount, and the financial standing of project shareholders (referencing submitted financial statements).
- Terms of Support and Strategy to Secure Financing: Detail the status of securing all funding sources. Describe the conditions of support from each funder and the ownership structure. Reference supporting documents (MoUs, LoIs, commitment letters) confirming the credibility and commitment of funders. For projects with lower profitability or higher risk, credible evidence of shareholder support throughout the project lifecycle, including covering potential shortfalls, is crucial.
- Financial Close Timeline: Justify the planned date for financial close, outlining milestones achieved and outstanding tasks, demonstrating the ability to meet deadlines set out in the Call document.
- Risk Analysis and Management
A thorough risk assessment is mandatory:
- Business Risks: Identify and describe the main risks related to the business plan that could impact viability, using the provided table format (Risk No, Type, Description, Likelihood, Impact, Ownership, Mitigation Measures).
- Financing Risks: Similarly, identify and describe main risks related to the financing plan using the table format, also outlining any contingency funding sources.
- Risk Heat Map: Include a visual risk heat map summarizing the likelihood and impact of the main identified risks.
In conclusion, the Innovation Fund business plan template demands a comprehensive, well-documented, and realistic portrayal of the project’s business case, financial structure, and risk landscape. Addressing each section with the required level of detail is paramount for a successful application.
EIC STEP Scale-Up: The First Winners Of 2025 Receive EIC Fund Equity Investments
The European Commission’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up call represents a major new opportunity for high-potential, innovation-driven businesses seeking to secure significant rounds of investment and accelerate their growth trajectories. On April 3rd, 2025, the Commission revealed the outcome of the first-ever application round. Out of 34 proposals received, 22 companies were invited to an in-depth Juries evaluation interview, and 7 companies have been deemed to meet all the criteria required to receive direct EIC Fund investment decisions, subject to standard due diligence. Additionally, 4 companies will be awarded the STEP Seal in recognition of their excellence, further enabling them to enhance their credibility and attract resources within the deep-tech and tech scale-up ecosystem. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of these results, the program’s objectives, the selection process, and the broader context of the STEP Scale Up call.
Background and Purpose of the STEP Scale Up Call
The introduction of the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up call is one of the European Commission’s most determined efforts to bolster Europe’s competitiveness and sovereignty in critical technology areas. Rapidly evolving market landscapes, combined with intensifying global competition, demand that European startups and scale-ups receive sufficiently large investments at crucial growth stages. Funding rounds in the €50 million to €150 million range have often been challenging to secure in the European ecosystem, thereby pushing valuable innovative companies to seek capital abroad or be acquired prematurely.
STEP Scale Up thus bridges this “valley of death” that most high-tech ventures encounter during or after market validation. The program promotes agile development, quick market expansion, and stronger positioning in strategic technology sectors—be it deep-tech, quantum technologies, AI, fusion energy, advanced materials, or space-related innovations. By providing investments of between €10 million and €30 million per company (with the intention of leveraging additional private co-investment), the new call is expected to help beneficiaries achieve these higher financing rounds needed for genuine scale-up.
The First Results of 2025
The first batch of submissions to the EIC STEP Scale Up call produced the following high-level results:
• Submission Deadline of the First Round: Early 2025
• Total Proposals Submitted: 34
• Number of Companies Invited to Interview: 22
• Companies Selected to Move Forward for Investment Decisions: 7
• STEP Seal Recipients: 11 (this includes the 7 investment decision candidates plus 4 additional high-scoring companies)
By these numbers alone, it is evident that the call is highly competitive. The overall success rate from proposal submission to being put forward for investment is reported at approximately 20.6%. When we delve deeper into specific stages of the evaluation, we see an approximate 63.7% pass rate from the written proposal to the interview stage, and from the interview stage to final selection, about 31.8% of interviewed companies were recommended for investment decisions. These percentages give a clearer idea of the rigorous selection funnel:
• Proposal to Interview: 63.7%
• Interview Pass Rate (to recommended for funding): 31.8%
• Overall Success Rate: 20.6%
This multi-layered, highly selective process ensures that only those companies with the strongest technological foundations, most robust business plans, and highest potential for positive societal and economic impact can access the STEP Scale Up’s large funding scheme.
Presenting STEP Scale-Up Winners
From the 34 potential ventures, 7 made it through every hurdle of the evaluation and are now presented to the EIC Fund for possible investment. These companies represent the cutting edge of the European innovation landscape, encompassing advanced AI hardware, clean fusion energy, quantum computing innovations, space surveillance, and more:
Axelera AI (Netherlands)
Axelera AI is recognized as a leading provider of application-specific AI hardware solutions, engrossed primarily in generative AI and computer vision inference. Their platform is designed to improve the efficiency and speed of data processing, allowing for the next generation of AI-based applications to operate at scale. By building strong hardware-software integration in Europe, Axelera AI is well placed to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness in the AI hardware race—an area typically dominated by large non-European players.
Focused Energy (Germany)
Focused Energy is tackling one of the largest challenges of our time: providing clean and limitless energy. They utilize a fusion process derived from seawater and lithium, making them one of the most compelling ventures in the emerging fusion energy sector. If successful, their technology can significantly reduce carbon emissions, address energy security, and serve as a transformative force for green energy transition in Europe and beyond.
Infinite Orbits (France)
Europe’s first commercial provider of autonomous in-orbit servicing, Infinite Orbits offers satellite servicing and AI-powered space surveillance. Their system can conduct on-orbit refueling, repairs, and maintenance, which extends satellite lifespans and reduces space debris. By merging advanced AI capabilities with aerospace engineering, Infinite Orbits lays the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient satellite infrastructure supporting everything from Earth observation to telecommunications.
IQM Finland (Finland)
IQM Finland is a quantum computing leader aiming to usher in a new era of European sovereignty in quantum technology. With a roadmap to produce 1 million qubits by 2033, IQM aims for a massive leap forward in computing power—transforming sectors like pharmaceutical research, complex modeling, logistics, and cryptography. IQM has already fabricated 30 quantum computers, placing them among the global leaders in quantum hardware technology.
Pasqal (France)
Pasqal focuses on full-stack quantum computing, developing critical hardware and software solutions that streamline the simulation of complex phenomena across multiple industries. They harness applications spanning materials design, climate modeling, and advanced encryption. Pasqal’s approach capitalizes on neutral-atom-based quantum computing, a methodology that has garnered significant interest for its scalability and coherence characteristics.
Xeltis (Netherlands)
Xeltis pioneers regenerative implants that utilize Nobel Prize-winning chemistry, reinventing vascular surgery and other medical fields by stimulating natural tissue regeneration in the human body. This feat promises a significant leap for minimally invasive therapy, reducing complications tied to synthetic implants. The technology can shorten hospital stays, reduce follow-up procedures, and ultimately save the healthcare system money while improving patient outcomes.
Zadient Technologies (France)
Zadient addresses crucial gaps in Europe’s semiconductor supply chain by seeking to establish industrial-scale Silicon Carbide (SiC) wafer production capabilities. SiC is a cornerstone material for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and power electronics, due to its higher performance at high voltage and temperature compared to traditional silicon. By securing a stable supply of ultra-pure SiC, Europe can reduce its dependencies, boost competitiveness, and ensure resilience in semiconductor manufacturing.
Presenting STEP Seal Recipients
Alongside these seven companies, four additional ventures achieved exceedingly high scores and demonstrated excellent proposals. Although they did not receive investment selections in this round due to budgetary constraints, they earned the STEP Seal, which acknowledges their excellence and eligibility for alternative or complementary funding opportunities. They also receive access to EIC Business Acceleration Services. These four are:
- Leyden Labs (Netherlands)
- Multiverse Computing (Spain)
- NETRIS Pharma (France)
- Prométhée Earth Intelligence (France)
Receiving the STEP Seal can significantly bolster a company’s profile when engaging with potential investors, industry partners, and research institutions. This recognition signals that, while immediate funding is not guaranteed, these entities have passed the same rigorous evaluation thresholds that define the standards of European innovation excellence.
STEP Sovereignty Seal
The STEP Seal is an important feature of the program, designed to drive synergy between public and private funding channels. Its core objectives include:
- Signaling Quality to Investors: Since each Seal recipient has withstood a comprehensive evaluation of its technology, market potential, financial plan, and operational strategy, the Seal bolsters their credibility and attractiveness for private capital.
- Providing Access to EIC Networks: STEP Seal recipients gain entry to a wealth of EIC Business Acceleration Services, including match-making with leading corporates, training workshops, networking events, and potential further financial opportunities.
- Bridging Funding Gaps: Companies may leverage the STEP Seal to unlock other EU-level grants, loans, or equity instruments administered under various frameworks. This multi-lateral approach to funding ensures that even those that are not allocated direct EIC investment in one round retain the impetus to locate the right funding source.
Commissioner Statement
The Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, underscores how STEP Scale Up factors into the broader vision for Europe:
“The STEP Scale Up scheme is a game-changer for high-growth businesses, offering the vital resources, funding, and expert guidance needed to accelerate expansion. By unlocking powerful networks and strategic support, it empowers companies to break through growth barriers, spark innovation, and fuel economic success.”
This statement encapsulates both the spirit and ambition of the initiative. In a rapidly shifting global landscape, the Commission views robust entrepreneurial support as quintessential for achieving technological sovereignty, fueling job creation, and maintaining global competitiveness.
STEP Scale-Up Conditions
With a budget of €300 million in 2025—and projections to grow to €900 million during 2025-2027—the call helps close Europe’s investment gap in strategic technologies. A key goal is to catalyze private co-investment by requesting a pre-commitment from a qualified investor for at least 20% of the total funding round at the time of the application. Companies that raise a round of €50 million to €150 million generally need multiple funding sources, and the EIC—through the STEP scheme—aims to serve as a major anchor investor.
The mechanism works as follows:
- Investment Ticket: €10 million to €30 million per company from EIC Fund resources.
- Leverage Requirement: The overall round should reach €50 million or more, with external investors covering at least 20% at the outset.
- Continuous Submission: STEP Scale Up calls are open all year round, with evaluation sessions held quarterly, offering potential applicants the flexibility to apply when they are ready.
STEP Selection Process
The selection process for EIC STEP Scale Up funding is carefully structured to ensure that each proposal is measured on technical merit, economic potential, and strategic alignment with European objectives. Below is an expanded view of each step in the evaluation:
(1) Proposal Submission
• Eligible Applicants: A single SME or small mid-cap (defined as having up to 499 employees) from a Member State or Associated Country.
• Investor-Led Submissions: An investor may submit on behalf of an eligible venture, which is especially relevant for those businesses already in advanced discussions with key investment partners.
• Key Elements of the Application:
– Full Business Plan: Maximum 50 pages, covering technology, market analysis, revenue projections, and strategic direction.
– Pitch Deck: A concise 15-page document highlighting the core value proposition, target market, traction, and investment timeline.
– Pre-Commitment from an Investor: A letter from a qualified investment institution, demonstrating initial market interest and readiness to co-finance at least 20% of the new funding.
– Ownership Control Declaration: Clarification on shareholder structure to ensure that the business is predominantly owned and controlled within the EU or an Associated Country.
(2) Preliminary Assessment
• After submission, proposals undergo a preliminary check for eligibility and completeness. This includes verification of the SME or mid-cap status, compliance with page limits, presence of an investor letter, and alignment with strategic technology areas.
• Typically, within 4-6 weeks, applicants are notified about whether they progress to the in-person or online Jury interview stage, or require modifications.
(3) Jury Interview
• Applicants that pass the preliminary assessment join a Jury session composed of up to six members with domain expertise spanning venture capital, scientific research, technology commercialization, or corporate innovation.
• During this session, the leadership team from the applying company delivers a short presentation on their technology, business model, and market outlook, followed by a Q&A period.
• Juries evaluate applicants based on factors such as market potential, differentiation of the technology, feasibility of scale, and alignment with the mandates of the EIC and the Commission.
• In keeping with the program’s ambition for high-level strategic technologies, applicants are also expected to demonstrate how their technology and business model will fortify Europe’s future competitiveness, resiliency, or sovereignty in a given sector.
(4) Final Decision and Notification
• Following the interviews, each company receives a detailed evaluation summary report.
• Companies recommended for funding (i.e., the “winners”) move forward for formal due diligence by the EIC Fund. This legal and financial diligence process ensures that the terms of investment are aligned with standard venture capital practices.
• Companies that satisfy the evaluation criteria but are not selected for immediate funding will receive the STEP Seal and access to Business Acceleration Services.
• Companies that do not meet the criteria receive comprehensive feedback to refine their proposals for future submission rounds or alternative funding routes.
Future Expectations
The success of the first round of the EIC STEP Scale Up call offers a glimpse into the strategic growth engine the Commission envisions for Europe. By focusing on quantum, AI, clean energy, and other transformative fields, the EIC invests in emergent nodes of technological revolution. The likely effects of these investments include:
• Enhanced Sectors: Europe’s overall standing in advanced innovation sectors (particularly AI hardware, quantum, fusion energy, etc.) is poised to improve, creating a more competitive research and commercialization environment.
• Talent Retention: Large investment rounds and scale-up activities help European companies attract and retain top-tier talent, which might otherwise relocate to regions with greater venture capital availability.
• Strengthened Supply Chains: By bringing previously offshored processes and resources back into Europe—such as SiC wafer production—critical dependencies on third countries are minimized.
• Better Access to Markets: Larger investment rounds give companies the runway to expand globally, forging strong distribution channels, and enabling manufacturing scale.
Budget
With a budget of €300 million allocated in 2025 and total projections up to €900 million for 2025-2027, the Commission is committed to sustaining and further developing the STEP Scale Up platform. The continuous open call with quarterly evaluation cycles ensures that the Commission remains flexible, responding dynamically to the pace of innovation. This stands in contrast to older, more rigid funding approaches with fixed deadlines that may not align with a startup’s readiness or capital requirements.
Hvordan man ansøger
Companies considering applying to future rounds of the STEP Scale Up call should keep the following points in mind:
• Prepare Thorough Documentation: Given the 50-page limit on the business plan, it is essential to present all pertinent details—technology, market, IP strategy, competition, financials, and expansion strategies—without losing clarity.
• Secure Investor Commitments Early: The requirement for a 20% co-investment letter from a qualified investor can be a bottleneck. Early-stage conversations and alignment with venture capital firms, corporates, or specialized funds can strengthen the submission considerably.
• Emphasize European Strategic Relevance: Demonstrate how the company’s growth will underpin European economic leadership, reduce dependencies, or secure sovereignty in a critical technology sector.
• Engage with EIC Business Acceleration Services: Even before applying, companies can benefit from the broader EIC environment, potentially attending events or workshops to hone their pitches.
• Focus on Long-Term Impact: Juries will closely examine how the product or service can create sustainable impacts—both economic and societal—over a multi-year horizon.
Konklusion
The unveiling of the first cohort from the EIC STEP Scale Up call has delivered several takeaways: Europe is home to a thriving ecosystem of highly ambitious companies tackling challenges that combine deep technological complexity with vast commercial opportunities. The 7 companies recommended for EIC Fund investment—Axelera AI, Focused Energy, Infinite Orbits, IQM Finland, Pasqal, Xeltis, and Zadient Technologies—are emblematic of Europe’s drive toward greater self-reliance, strategic autonomy, and innovative capacity. Meanwhile, the additional 4 companies awarded the STEP Seal continue to show that the funnel of potential recipients is both selective and robust.
With a 20.6% overall success rate, there is no doubt about the call’s competitiveness. Yet, even for companies that are not selected in the first instance, the Commission’s commitment to iterative support and feedback ensures the capacity to refine proposals and aim for subsequent rounds. This cyclical process, combined with the overarching support services offered by the EIC, fosters a truly pan-European approach to scaling breakthroughs.
Ultimately, the STEP Scale Up scheme stands as a central pillar in the EU’s efforts to stimulate major funding rounds for emerging technologies. As the program matures, further waves of promising European innovators will be given the runway to flourish, bringing forth a new generation of global category leaders capable of driving growth, reinforcing the Union’s tech leadership, and providing sustainable, positive impacts across the continent and beyond.
For more information on the STEP Scale Up open call, and to submit an application, prospective companies, investors, or partners should explore the Funding & Tenders Portal, familiarize themselves with the technical requirements, and prepare for the upcoming quarterly evaluation windows. By doing so, they position themselves at the frontline of European innovation and contribute to the shared vision of a dynamic, resilient, and sovereign European technology landscape.
Rå data
- Results published: 3 April 2025
- Year: 2025
- Round: 1
- Proposal submissions: 34
- Companies interviewed: 22
- Winners: 7
- Proposal success rate: 64.7%
- Interview success rate: 31.8%
- Overall success rate: 20.6%
- STEP Seal recipients: 11
- STEP Seal rate: 32.4%
The Full List Of STEP Scale-Up Winners
Selskab | Land | Project | Finansiering | STEP Seal | År |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Axelera AI | Holland | The leading provider of purpose-built AI hardware acceleration technology for generative AI and computer vision inference | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Focused Energy | Tyskland | Fusion fuel designed for clean energy production, derived from sea water & lithium | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Infinite Orbits | Frankrig | Europe’s first commercial provider of autonomous in-orbit servicing and AI-powered space surveillance | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
IQM Finland | Finland | Quantum computing leader with a production milestone of 30 quantum computers and a roadmap to 1 million qubits by 2033 | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Pasqal | Frankrig | Developer of a full-stack quantum computing technology designed to simulate complex phenomena for scientific discovery | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Xeltis | Holland | Developing regenerative implants using Nobel-prize winning chemistry to revolutionise vascular surgery through natural tissue regeneration | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Zadient Technologies | Frankrig | Developing ultra-pure silicon carbide (SiC) materials and high-yield crystal growth technology to establish Europe's first industrial-scale SiC wafer production — a cornerstone for EVs, renewables, and semiconductor resilience | Equity | Yes | 2025 |
Leyden Labs | Holland | / | None | Yes | 2025 |
Multiverse Computing | Spanien | / | None | Yes | 2025 |
NETRIS Pharma | Frankrig | / | None | Yes | 2025 |
Prométhée Earth Intelligence | Frankrig | / | None | Yes | 2025 |
Om
Artiklerne fundet på Rasph.com afspejler Rasphs eller dets respektive forfatteres meninger og afspejler på ingen måde udtalelser fra Europa-Kommissionen (EC) eller European Innovation Council (EIC). Den leverede information har til formål at dele perspektiver, der er værdifulde og potentielt kan informere ansøgere om tilskudsfinansieringsordninger såsom EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition eller relaterede programmer såsom Innovate UK i Det Forenede Kongerige eller Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) i De Forenede Stater.
Artiklerne kan også være en nyttig ressource for andre konsulentvirksomheder i bevillingsområdet samt professionelle bevillingsskribenter, der er ansat som freelancere eller er en del af en Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMV). EIC Accelerator er en del af Horizon Europe (2021-2027), som for nylig har erstattet det tidligere rammeprogram Horizon 2020.
Denne artikel er skrevet af ChatEIC. ChatEIC er en EIC Accelerator-assistent, der kan rådgive om skrivning af forslag, diskutere aktuelle tendenser og skabe indsigtsfulde artikler om en række forskellige emner. Artiklerne skrevet af ChatEIC kan indeholde unøjagtige eller forældede oplysninger.
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EIC Accelerator-resultater – Februar 2025-opdatering (Oktober 2024 Cutoff)
FIND DE SENESTE RESULTATER HER
De seneste EIC Accelerator-finansieringsresultater er blevet offentliggjort den 17. februar 2025 for skæringsdatoen den 3. oktober 2024. I alt 71 innovative startups og SMV'er har sikret sig finansiering gennem dette yderst konkurrencedygtige program, som har til formål at støtte banebrydende innovationer i og uden for Europa.
Denne finansieringsrunde viser European Innovation Council's (EIC) igangværende forpligtelse til at fremme deep-tech og storslåede ventures. Nedenfor opdeler vi de vigtigste statistikker og indsigter fra de seneste resultater.
Vigtigste højdepunkter fra oktober 2024 EIC Accelerator-resultaterne
- Samlet tildelt midler: 387 millioner euro
- Gennemsnitlig finansiering pr. virksomhed: €5,45 mio
- Tildelte finansieringstyper:
- Blandet finansiering (tilskud + egenkapital): 56 virksomheder (78.9%)
- Kun egenkapital: 5 virksomheder (7.0%)
- Kun tilskud: 10 virksomheder (14.1%)
Den fortsatte dominans af blended finance-finansiering viser EIC's præference for at støtte startups, der kombinerer tilskudsfinansiering med egenkapitalinvesteringer, hvilket sikrer langsigtet skalerbarhed.
Opdeling af bevillingstildeling
- Tilskudsbudget: €161 millioner
- Aktiebudget: € 226 millioner
De betydelige €226 millioner i egenkapitalinvesteringer afspejler EIC's strategi om at støtte højpotentielle startups ud over den indledende bevilling, og hjælpe dem med at skalere globalt.
Succesrater – en yderst konkurrencedygtig proces
EIC Accelerator er fortsat et af de mest konkurrencedygtige finansieringsprogrammer i Europa:
- Trin 2 succesrate: 36%
- Trin 3 succesrate: 16%
- Samlet succesrate (fra trin 2 til det endelige valg): 5.9%
Det betyder, at ud af hver 100 ansøgere, der når trin 2, sikrer færre end 6 virksomheder i sidste ende finansiering, hvilket understreger programmets strenge udvælgelsesproces.
Geografisk fordeling af finansierede virksomheder
De 71 udvalgte virksomheder kommer fra 16 forskellige lande, hvilket afspejler den brede europæiske rækkevidde af EIC Accelerator. De bedste lande i denne runde er:
- Tyskland – 15 virksomheder (21.1%)
- Holland – 11 virksomheder (15.5%)
- Sverige – 7 virksomheder (9,9%)
- Spanien – 6 virksomheder (8.5%)
- Frankrig – 5 virksomheder (7%)
- Det Forenede Kongerige – 5 virksomheder (7%)
- Finland – 4 virksomheder (5.6%)
- Israel – 4 virksomheder (5.6%)
- Belgien – 3 virksomheder (4.2%)
- Italien – 3 virksomheder (4.2%)
- Østrig – 2 virksomheder (2.8%)
- Danmark – 2 virksomheder (2.8%)
- Bulgarien, Luxembourg, Polen, Portugal – 1 firma hver (1.4%)
Tyskland og Holland viser vejen
Med 15 udvalgte virksomheder dominerer Tyskland fortsat EIC Accelerator-landskabet, hvilket afspejler landets stærke startup-økosystem og innovationsdrevne økonomi. Holland, med 11 finansierede startups, fastholder også sin position som et kraftcenter for deep-tech og storslåede ventures.
Mindre økosystemer vinder indpas
Mens lande som Bulgarien, Luxembourg, Polen og Portugal kun sikrede én finansieret virksomhed hver, fremhæver deres tilstedeværelse i resultaterne den stigende deltagelse af startups fra forskellige europæiske regioner.
Implikationer for fremtidige EIC Accelerator-ansøgere
1. Blended Finance forbliver den foretrukne finansieringsmodel
Med næsten 79% af finansierede virksomheder, der modtager en blanding af tilskud og egenkapital, fortsætter EIC Accelerator med at presse på for langsigtet finansiel bæredygtighed. Startups bør være parate til at demonstrere ikke kun innovationspotentialet i deres teknologi, men også et stærkt forretningsgrundlag for skalering gennem egenkapitalinvesteringer.
2. Konkurrencen er hård – men trin 2 succes er opmuntrende
Mens den samlede succesrate er lav (5,9%), indikerer trin 2 succesraten på 36%, at ansøgere med en solid forretningsplan og innovationsstrategi har en stor chance for at komme videre i udvælgelsesprocessen.
3. Det europæiske dybteknologiske landskab vokser
Mangfoldigheden af finansierede virksomheder viser, at innovation blomstrer på tværs af flere sektorer og geografier. Startups fra lande med mindre økosystemer bør ikke frarådes, da EIC Accelerator fortsætter med at finansiere højpotentielle projekter uanset placering.
Afsluttende tanker
EIC Accelerator er fortsat et af de mest prestigefyldte finansieringsprogrammer for deep-tech startups og innovative SMV'er i Europa. De seneste resultater bekræfter programmets forpligtelse til skalerbare teknologier med stor effekt med et stærkt fokus på blended finance og aktieinvesteringer.
For startups, der ønsker at ansøge i fremtidige cutoffs, vil omhyggelig forberedelse, en overbevisende innovationsfortælling og en veldefineret kommercialiseringsstrategi være nøglen til succes.
Hvad er det næste?
- Den næste runde af EIC Accelerator-applikationer forventes at åbne snart.
- Startups bør begynde at forberede sig tidligt med fokus på både teknologisk innovation og kommerciel levedygtighed.
- Hold dig opdateret for flere opdateringer om udviklingen af europæisk startup-finansiering!
Rå data
Billetstørrelse
- Gennemsnitlig billetstørrelse: €5,45 mio
- Gennemsnitlig bevilling: 2,44 millioner euro
- Gennemsnitlig egenkapital: €3,70 mio
Finansieringstype
- Blandet økonomi: 56 virksomheder (78.9%)
- Kun egenkapital: 5 virksomheder (7.0%)
- Kun tilskud: 10 virksomheder (14.1%)
- I alt: 71 Virksomheder
Budget
- Samlet budget: 387 millioner euro
- Tilskudsbudget: €161 millioner
- Aktiebudget: € 226 millioner
Datoer
- Fristdato for ansøgning om tilskud: 3. oktoberrd 2024
- Dato for offentliggjorte resultater: 17. februarth 2025
Succesrater
- Trin 2: 431 ud af 1211 (36%)
- Trin 3: 71 ud af 431 (16%)
- Trin 2 og Trin 3 kombineret: 71 ud af 1211 (5.9%)
lande
Der er 16 forskellige lande blandt de finansierede virksomheder:
- Tyskland (15 virksomheder og 21.1%)
- Holland (11 virksomheder og 15.5%)
- Sverige (7 virksomheder og 9.9%)
- Spanien (6 virksomheder og 8.5%)
- Frankrig (5 virksomheder og 7%)
- Storbritannien (5 virksomheder og 7%)
- Finland (4 virksomheder og 5.6%)
- Israel (4 virksomheder og 5.6%)
- Belgien (3 virksomheder og 4.2%)
- Italien (3 virksomheder og 4.2%)
- Østrig (2 virksomheder og 2.8%)
- Danmark (2 virksomheder og 2.8%)
- Bulgarien (1 virksomheder og 1.4%)
- Luxembourg (1 virksomheder og 1.4%)
- Polen (1 virksomheder og 1.4%)
- Portugal (1 virksomhed og 1.4%)
2024 Samlede resultater
- Foreslået budget: 675 millioner euro
- Faktisk budget: 672 millioner euro
- Finansierede virksomheder: 113
Alle EIC Accelerator-vindere
Selskab | Akronym | Beskrivelse | Land | År |
---|---|---|---|---|
EASELINK GMBH | MXI | MXI: MATRIX LADEGRÆNSEFLADE, DER INTEGRERER EVS I ET SMART ENERGISYSTEM | Østrig | 2024 |
Holloid GmbH | ROLF | Revolutionær online fermenteringsovervågning | Østrig | 2024 |
NannyML NV | EU-AURA | European Union AI Uncertainty Reduction and Alignment | Belgien | 2024 |
VOXELSENSORS | SPAES | Single-Photon Active Event Sensor | Belgien | 2024 |
NOVOBIOM | WASTE2WEALTH | En svampebaseret bioteknologisk platform til konkurrencedygtig multi-stream affaldsrevalorisering. | Belgien | 2024 |
ENDUROSAT AD | SD-IRS | Softwaredefineret integreret satellitkommunikationssystem til at revolutionere dataoverførsel fra Low Earth Orbit | Bulgarien | 2024 |
NEURESCUE APS | PULS | Banebrydende hidtil uset livreddende udstyr: Intelligent aortaballonkateter til hjertestop | Danmark | 2024 |
TETRAKIT TEKNOLOGIER APS | TETRAKIT | En ny klikkemi-baseret, universel radiomærkningsplatform, der revolutionerer generationen af theranostic radiofarmaka | Danmark | 2024 |
SEMIQON TEKNOLOGIER OY | COOL-CHIPS | Cool-Chips - Kryogene CMOS-chips til kvante-, HPC- og rumindustrien | Finland | 2024 |
Fifth Innovation Oy | Elementisk | Genopbygning af vores verden med nye kulstofelementer, der gør bygninger til kulstoflagringsstrukturer | Finland | 2024 |
Lumo Analytics Oy | LASO-LIBS | Muliggør on-site mekanisk analyse af borekerner til bæredygtig og effektiv minedrift | Finland | 2024 |
Pixieray Oy | Perfekt vision | De første adaptive briller, der tilbyder perfekt syn til mennesker med nærsynethed og fremadskridende alderssyn | Finland | 2024 |
IKTOS | AIR-3D | Iktos Robotics: Integrering af kunstig intelligens og robotteknologi for effektivt lægemiddeldesign og -opdagelse | Frankrig | 2024 |
HUMMINK | FUGL | Banebrydende integration og løsning i fejlreparation | Frankrig | 2024 |
TREEFROG TERAPEUTIK | C-STEM XL | C-STEM: banebrydende vej til XL-skalaen | Frankrig | 2024 |
QUOBLY | MCQube | Bryd barrierer i skalerbar kvanteberegning | Frankrig | 2024 |
Robeaute | SmartMicroBiopsy | Smart Microrobotic Biopsi: Et spring fremad i hjernesygdomsdiagnostik | Frankrig | 2024 |
Nature Robots GmbH | A-FRAM | Autonomt fuld landbrug til optimeret regenerativt og sundt landbrug med robotteknologi og dyb- Læring | Tyskland | 2024 |
SEMRON GmbH | Aloe AI | Banebrydende 3D-stablet AI-inferenschip, der muliggør implementering af LLM'er med flere milliarder parametre på Edge-enheder | Tyskland | 2024 |
CODASIP GMBH | Codasip CHERI | Codasip CHERI-teknologi til yderst sikre processorer | Tyskland | 2024 |
BioThrust GmbH | ComfyCell | ComfyCell: Ny bionisk bioreaktor til industriel stam- og immuncellefremstilling | Tyskland | 2024 |
LiveEO GmbH | EOinTime | EOinTime: Satellitbaseret ændringsdetektion og forudsigelig overvågning af infrastrukturnet baseret på høj- opløsningsdata | Tyskland | 2024 |
AUMENTEREDE INDUSTRIER GMBH | FLOW-AI | AI-drevet træning i flowet af fabriksarbejde for industrien 5.0 | Tyskland | 2024 |
eleQtron GmbH | MAGISK | Helt integreret on-chip ionfælde mod fejltolerant kvanteberegning | Tyskland | 2024 |
MetisMotion GmbH | naXtur | Den nye standard for bæredygtig elektrificering af aktivering, der bidrager til en dekarboniseret industri 5.0 | Tyskland | 2024 |
Noah Labs GmbH | NL Vox | Noah Labs Vox - Registrering af forværret hjertesvigt med AI-baseret stemmeovervågning | Tyskland | 2024 |
INVITRIS | Phactory | Endelig udvikling og kommerciel forberedelse af Phactory™, en universel platformteknologi til at muliggøre skalerbar fagbaseret lægemiddeludvikling og produktion | Tyskland | 2024 |
ATMOS PLADSLAST GMBH | Phoenix 2 | En ny rumreturkapsel til biovidenskabelige mikrogravitationseksperimenter | Tyskland | 2024 |
MYOPAX GMBH | Satgeno | SATGENO: Regenerativ genreparationsterapi til muskeldystrofier | Tyskland | 2024 |
FluIDect GmbH | SpheroScan | Online biosensor i realtid til overvågning af bioprocesser og fødevareproduktion ved hjælp af µBeads sensorteknologi til at optimere produktionsprocesser og sikre fødevaresikkerhed | Tyskland | 2024 |
Tracebloc GmbH | sporblok | Opbygning af det globale dataadgangslag til kunstig intelligens: Skalerbar, sikker og energieffektiv AI-modeludvikling | Tyskland | 2024 |
Vivalyx GmbH | Vivalyx | En spilskiftende teknologi til at revolutionere donororganbevarelse og forstørre puljen af organer til transplantation | Tyskland | 2024 |
CYBERRIDGE LTD | CyberRidge - Carmel | Lancering af fotonisk kryptering til datasikkerhed i postkvante-æraen med CyberRidge All-Optical Stealth og sikret løsning til højhastigheds kohærent optisk kommunikation | Israel | 2024 |
DeepKeep Ltd | DeepKeep | DeepKeep sikrer AI-applikationer på tværs af LLM, Vision, Spatial Sensing, Human-Machine Interaction og Multimodale modeller med AI-native sikkerhed og troværdighed | Israel | 2024 |
Selvlysende solenergi | Lava varmemotor | Verdens mest effektive varmemotor: At omdanne varme til nul-emissionselektricitet til industri- og geotermiske applikationer | Israel | 2024 |
Magneto trombektomi Løsninger | MGN-2024-10 | Magneto eTrieve trombektomisystem EIC finansieringsansøgning | Israel | 2024 |
NanoPhoria srl | NP-MP1 | Inhalerbare terapeutiske nanoformuleringer til ikke-invasive og selektive behandlinger af det syge hjerte | Italien | 2024 |
STAR TRIC SRL | StarTric | StarTric - Et nyt transkateter medicinsk udstyr til behandling af tricuspid regurgitation | Italien | 2024 |
Aindo srl | SydAi | En ny platform til generering af syntetiske data, der producerer private, sikre og robuste syntetiske data til AI-brug sager | Italien | 2024 |
OQ TECHNOLOGY Sarl | 5NETSAT | 5G NTN SATELLIT DIREKTE TIL MOBIL I ORBIT DEMONSTRATION | Luxembourg | 2024 |
Brineworks BV | BRINEWORKS | INITIATIV TIL FJERNING AF KULFJERNELSE AF KULDELADE OG HAVANDSBASERET TIL NEUTRALISERING AF LUFTFART OG MARITIM FORSENDELSE EMISSIONER. EN VAND-OPTIMERINGSVEJ TIL FORNYBARE KEYSTONE-LØSNINGER | Holland | 2024 |
C2CA TECHNOLOGY BV | C2CA | Revolutionerende løsning til at låse op for beton-til-beton-cirkularitet | Holland | 2024 |
Deeploy BV | Deploy | FØRSTE MLOPS, DER INTEGRERER RISIKOSTYRING, OVERENSSTEMMELSE OG FORKLARING i realtid, HVOR AI-MODELLEN KØRER | Holland | 2024 |
CarbonX BV | ECo-AnodeX | Verdens første miljøvenlige og omkostningseffektive aktive anodemateriale klar til at blive masseproduceret i eXisting industrianlæg | Holland | 2024 |
VarmX BV | FØLG | Endelig klinisk udvikling af et revolutionært humant rekombinant protein til at stoppe og forhindre livstruende blødninger | Holland | 2024 |
Astrape BV | OPTINET | Revolutionerende datacentre: Muliggør bæredygtigt og højeffektivt optisk netværk | Holland | 2024 |
Leyden Laboratories BV | PanFlu | PANDEMISK BEREDSKAB VED INTRANASAL ADMINISTRATION MED BRED EFFEKTIV MONOKLONALE ANTISTOFFER MOD ALLE INFLUENZA STAMMER | Holland | 2024 |
Nextkidney BV | PORTADIALYS | The NeoKidney: Næste generations hæmodialyse-enhed, der gør hæmodialyse endelig bærbar | Holland | 2024 |
QDI systemer | QDIMAGING | Forstyrrende røntgen- og kortbølget infrarød billedteknologi med Quantum Dots | Holland | 2024 |
DELFT CIRCUITS BV | Tuxedo | Udvikling af Tuxedo: en superledende flex-til-pcb interface forbindelse til kvanteteknologier | Holland | 2024 |
Veridi Technologies BV | VERIDI | Veridi: AI-drevet jordbiodiversitetsanalyse og overvågning | Holland | 2024 |
Captor Therapeutics Spolka Akcyjna | CT-03 | En første-i-klassen MCL-1-nedbryder til at fremme apoptose i terapiresistente flydende og faste tumorer | Polen | 2024 |
PFx Biotech Lda | HuMiLAF | Human Milk Lactoferrin ved Precision Fermentation | Portugal | 2024 |
Esencia Foods Spain SL | Esencia Foods | Banebrydende veganske helskær gennem mycelium-faststoffermentering | Spanien | 2024 |
IPRONICS PROGRAMMABLE PHOTONICS,SL | OPHIDSE | Første skalerbare feltprogrammerbare Photonic Gate Array Platform til Photonic Chip Development og Data Center Switch-applikationer | Spanien | 2024 |
CONNECTA THERAPEUTICS SL | FRAXCURE | Fragile X-syndrom Klinisk forsøg: Optrævler videnskaben bag denne sjældne sygdom i Europa | Spanien | 2024 |
MOA BIOTECH SL | MOA FOODTECH | Omdannelse af landbrugsfødevarebiprodukter til højernæringsværdi, bæredygtige proteiner og ingredienser | Spanien | 2024 |
GLOBAL ECOFUEL SOLUTIONS, SL | ROW2FUEL | Banebrydende et-trins lavenergikonverteringsteknologi til omkostningseffektiv produktion af drivhusgasser, der sparer bæredygtige brændstoffer fra affald | Spanien | 2024 |
PREMIUM FRUGTILITET | TD system | En ny embryooverførselsteknologi til at forbedre graviditetsraterne | Spanien | 2024 |
AirForestry AB | ADATHA | Drone-baseret automatiseret træhøstsystem til bæredygtig skovbrug | Sverige | 2024 |
ENAIRON AB | Airon | Verdens mest energieffektive industrielle luftkompressor | Sverige | 2024 |
CORPOWER OCEAN AB | CORPACK | CorPack - nøglefærdig byggesten til at skalere ny bølgeenergiteknologi til konkurrencedygtige bølgefarme i brugsskala | Sverige | 2024 |
SAVEGGY AB | SPRISP | Belægning af frugt og grøntsager Reducerer plastaffald og øger holdbarheden af produkter | Sverige | 2024 |
Superintelligens Computing Systems SICSAI AB | HYPER | Foundation AGI-model for industrielle robotter | Sverige | 2024 |
AlzeCurePharma AB | NeuroRestore ACD856 | ACD856 - Revolutionerende behandling af Alzheimers sygdom gennem sygdomsmodificerende og kognitiv- forstærkende terapi | Sverige | 2024 |
Blykalla AB | SEALER | En blykølet lille modulær reaktor til at levere den næste generation af ren energi. | Sverige | 2024 |
Barocal Ltd | BAROKAL | Avancerede barokaloriske systemer til bæredygtige kommercielle køleapplikationer | Det Forenede Kongerige | 2024 |
Sparxell UK Limited | BIOSPECTRA | Bio-inspirerede, bæredygtige plantebaserede effekter og farver til at erstatte alle skadelige farvestoffer | Det Forenede Kongerige | 2024 |
MOF TEKNOLOGIER BEGRÆNSET | NUACO2 | Nuadas nye optimerede MOF-reaktorer til CO2-opsamling | Det Forenede Kongerige | 2024 |
STABLEPHARMA LIMITED | SUFFVSA40C | OPSKALERING AF KØLESKABSFRI VACCINER STABILE VED +40°C | Det Forenede Kongerige | 2024 |
PRECISIONLIFE LTD | TRANSCENDERE | TRANSFORMATIV IKKE-INVASIV KAUSAL MEKANOSTIK PLATFORM TIL EFFEKTIVT TRIAGE OG BEHANDLE ENDOMETRIOSE | Det Forenede Kongerige | 2024 |
Om
Artiklerne fundet på Rasph.com afspejler Rasphs eller dets respektive forfatteres meninger og afspejler på ingen måde udtalelser fra Europa-Kommissionen (EC) eller European Innovation Council (EIC). Den leverede information har til formål at dele perspektiver, der er værdifulde og potentielt kan informere ansøgere om tilskudsfinansieringsordninger såsom EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition eller relaterede programmer såsom Innovate UK i Det Forenede Kongerige eller Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) i De Forenede Stater.
Artiklerne kan også være en nyttig ressource for andre konsulentvirksomheder i bevillingsområdet samt professionelle bevillingsskribenter, der er ansat som freelancere eller er en del af en Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMV). EIC Accelerator er en del af Horizon Europe (2021-2027), som for nylig har erstattet det tidligere rammeprogram Horizon 2020.
Denne artikel er skrevet af ChatEIC. ChatEIC er en EIC Accelerator-assistent, der kan rådgive om skrivning af forslag, diskutere aktuelle tendenser og skabe indsigtsfulde artikler om en række forskellige emner. Artiklerne skrevet af ChatEIC kan indeholde unøjagtige eller forældede oplysninger.
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