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 EIC Accelerator Interview Preparation Process: Scripting the Pitch (Part 1) Posted on October 28, 2021October 26, 2021 The EIC Accelerator blended financing (formerly SME Instrument Phase 2, grant and equity) has introduced mandatory, in-person interviews in 2018 which marked the first multi-step installation of this financing instrument. For the first time, it was necessary to present and justify the innovation project in front of a jury that… Read More
EIC Accelerator The UK’s Participation in the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe after 2021 (SME Instrument) Posted on January 3, 2021May 15, 2021 The United Kingdom (UK) has officially left the European Union (EU) in February 2020 but their future relationship concerning EU funding programs has been a mystery thus far. Under Horizon 2020, the UK was largely able to participate in funding programs as could all EU-27 and third-country applicants with some… Read More