The Two Most Important Features for an SME Instrument Project (EIC Accelerator) Posted on October 12, 2019March 20, 2020 By Stephan Segler, Ph.D. Here is some information on the EUs startup grant to help you find out if you can apply. I am always looking for two major things to quickly assess a companies success chances: Innovation & Traction. (1) Innovation The EU specifically funds high-risk and high-reward projects. This means that the innovation should be market-disrupting or market-creating and that you have overcome barriers which other companies have failed to overcome. Two major questions I always ask are: If you consider your closest competitor, can you name at least one or two things that make your product unique? If a large company would attempt to copy your product, could they succeed in less than a year? (2) Traction While the innovation is central to the SME Instrument funding, the market interest is just as important. You must show that there is a clear market need for your product and the best way is to have written proof of intent. You must at least be in contact with some customers or, even better, have ongoing pilot studies or revenues from your current product. Innovation & Traction are always the first two things I ask for when talking to companies. If these check out, the pre-requisites for a successful grant application are met in almost all cases. EIC Accelerator Horizon 2020 Phase 1 Phase 2 SME Instrument / EIC Accelerator EIC Accelerator grantEIC Accelerator helpEIC Accelerator pilotEIC Accelerator successIndustries & CompaniesInvestorsSME Instrument Phase 1tip#17Writing Tips
EIC Accelerator Helpful Resources for an EIC Accelerator Pitch Video (SME Instrument) Posted on February 8, 2021February 4, 2021 In 2021, the EIC Accelerator blended financing (formerly SME Instrument Phase 2, grant and equity financing) will include a video pitch as a new proposal document which is expected to place an additional burden on applying startups and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME). While tips on choosing an appropriate video… Read More
EIC Accelerator Assessing an EIC Accelerator Applicant for Innovation, Traction and the Team (SME Instrument) – Part 3 Posted on October 21, 2020October 18, 2020 Part 1 (Innovation) and Part 2 (Traction) of this article can be found under the provided links. 3. Team After a professional grant writer or consultant has successfully assessed the innovativeness and traction of a project, an in-depth look at the team should follow to cover the most important bases… Read More
EIC Accelerator The Conditions for EIC Equity Investments (2023 EIC Accelerator Work Programme Part 3) Posted on November 5, 2022November 5, 2022 The EIC Accelerator funding (grant and equity, with blended financing option) awards up to €2.5 million in grant and €15 million in equity financing per project (€17.5 million total). It is a popular funding instrument specializing in DeepTech startups and small mid-caps which aim to finalize their product developments, enter… Read More