It offers grants up to €2.5m (US$2.7m) for follow-up projects.
EIC Accelerator
The largest scheme with €634m (US$685m) supports startups and SMEs in developing, commercialising and scaling up innovations.
It provides grants below €2.5m (US$2.7m) and investments up to €10m (US$10.8m).
A notable addition to the programme is also the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale-up scheme.
Operating with a budget of €300m (US$324m) in 2025, this initiative aims to provide larger investments in companies bringing strategic technologies to the EU market.
The scheme offers between €10m (US$10.8m) and €30m (US$32.4m) per company, with the goal of leveraging private co-investment and achieving total investments of €50m (US$54m) to €150m (US$162m).
Bridging the funding gap and fostering innovation
The increased funding and new initiatives are designed to address a significant market gap in deep tech scale-up funding in Europe.
By targeting digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies and biotechnologies, the EU aims to reduce strategic dependencies and boost its competitive edge in critical sectors.
The programme also includes measures to improve access to Business Acceleration Services for emerging companies from ‘widening countries’ with lower levels of research and innovation performance.
Furthermore, the introduction of Seals of Excellence under various calls aims to facilitate access to complementary funding sources and business acceleration services.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, emphasised the programme’s potential impact: “The European Innovation Council has emerged as a game changer in EU support to breakthrough innovation.
