What is Phase 1 for and What Comes Next? Posted on August 29, 2017October 13, 2017 By Stephan Segler, Ph.D. The purpose of Horizon 2020s SME Instrument Schemes Phase 1 is a feasibility study for the project (lasting around 6 months depending on the specific topic) and is financed with a flat rate of €50,000. The feasibility study entails the development of a business plan and assesses the viability of the project. The EC also offers coaching services such as: Optional Innovation and Business Development Coaching is offered in parallel throughout phases 1 and 2 to help SMEs: enhance the company’s innovation capacity align the project to the identified business development strategy develop the commercial/economic impact and long term sustainability. Coaching is provided by experienced business coaches, selected through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The result of the study will be a feasibility report (an example can be found here). This report will contain: 1. Technical report (1a. Publishable Summary; 1b. Feasibility Study) 2. the answer to a questionnaire on socio-economic implications 3. a financial report including the request for payment of the balance The feasibility study is optional but greatly increases the chances for Phase 2 of the project and is highly recommended. A more detailed description by the European Commission can be found here and here. Horizon 2020 Phase 1 Phase 2 SME Instrument / EIC Accelerator EIC Accelerator helpIndustries & CompaniesSME Instrument Phase 1SME Instrument Phase 2Timeline
EIC Accelerator Choosing a Project Title for the EIC Accelerator (SME Instrument Phase 2) Posted on June 15, 2020October 9, 2020 The title of the proposal can be viewed as the tag-line of the project. If the project’s abstract is a condensed version of the entire proposal, then the title can be viewed as a condensed version of the abstract. Here, it should be explained what the unique product is and… Read More
EIC Accelerator Assessing an EIC Accelerator Applicant for Innovation, Traction and the Team (SME Instrument) – Part 2 Posted on October 20, 2020October 18, 2020 Part 1 (Innovation) of this article can be found under the provided link. 2. Traction The suitability of a project for an EIC Accelerator grant or blended financing application (SME Instrument Phase 2, with equity option) can be difficult to assess even for professional writers or high-level consultants. For this… Read More
EIC Accelerator Smack My Pitch Up: Changing The Evaluation Focus Of The EIC Accelerator Posted on May 11, 2023May 11, 2023 The EIC Accelerator funding (grant and equity, with blended financing option) has undergone substantial changes over the past years, especially during the transition from the Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) to the Horizon Europe (2021-2027) framework program. As part of the European Commissions (EC) and European Innovation Councils (EIC) portfolio of funding… Read More