How To Improve Your Chances of Getting Funded Posted on August 29, 2017May 23, 2020 By Stephan Segler, Ph.D. To find out if your project is suitable for funding, please read What Types of Industries Receive Funding?. Three of the four evaluators that will review the proposal have a business background and only one will have a technical or scientific background. While it is impossible to know what the specific evaluators will focus on and look for, there are some general things that make the project look more suitable for investments: You have financial backing other than the SME Instrument (Own revenues, parent company, private investors) You have been acknowledged for your innovation (prices, funds, awards, features on blogs, TV or magazines) You address a promising market segment (market growth, market size, small competition) You have Letters of Recommendation from key partners and stakeholders (regulatory agencies, decision makers, relevant authorities, thought leaders) You have Letters of Intent from Suppliers, Customers or Distributors You have a highly experienced and capable team (work experience, relevant projects, education, extensive support network) Your project brings not only financial but also social benefits to the EU Your project has more potential than just the Phase 2 developments and can be expanded further within the next decade It is not necessary to fill all the boxes but we should be able to address as many points as possible. Horizon 2020 Phase 1 Phase 2 SME Instrument / EIC Accelerator Industries & CompaniesInvestorsSME Instrument Phase 1SME Instrument Phase 2Writing Tips
EIC Accelerator Visual Representation of an EIC Accelerator Proposal Narrative (SME Instrument Phase 2) – Part 2 Posted on October 25, 2020October 18, 2020 Part 1 of this article can be found under the provided link. The following article as a continuation of the visual guide (i.e. Part 2) for the preparation of an EIC Accelerator blended financing proposal (formerly SME Instrument Phase 2, grant and equity financing) which can be used by startups… Read More
EIC Accelerator How to Script an EIC Accelerator Pitch Video (SME Instrument) – Part 1 Posted on January 1, 2021December 30, 2020 In 2021, the EIC Accelerator blended financing (formerly SME Instrument Phase 2, grant and equity financing) requires the upload of a pitch video which can present new challenges to prospect applicants (read: Proposed 2021 Template). While startups and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) can find information on the creation of… Read More
EIC Accelerator Steering the EIC Accelerator: Lessons Learned from the Pilot Program Posted on May 2, 2023April 17, 2023 The EIC Accelerator funding (with blended financing option) by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Commission (EC) is providing startups and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) with up to €2.5 million in grants and €15 million in equity financing per project (€17.5 million total). The program is often supported… Read More