EIC Accelerator The EIC Accelerator: Grant vs. Blended Financing (Equity) Posted on March 20, 2020October 14, 2020 Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the equity financing option of the EU’s start-up grant (SME Instrument, EIC Accelerator). The EIC Accelerator offers the application for either a pure grant or blended finance (a mix between a grant and equity-based financing). While the application and reviewing… Read more
EIC Accelerator The European Green Deal – A Dedicated Cut-Off for the EIC Accelerator Posted on March 20, 2020October 14, 2020 Here is some information on the new “Green Deal” deadline for the EIC Accelerator – the EU’s innovation startup funding (up to €17.5m per project). One of the four cut-off dates in 2020 has been dedicated to innovations which are focusing on anything that can have a positive and quantifiable… Read more
EIC Accelerator SME Instrument Grant Writing Tips (EIC Accelerator) Posted on October 12, 2019October 9, 2020 I frequently get asked about the application process for the SME Instrument Funding by the EU, so here is a brief overview for every startup that wants to apply: Proposal writing is the most important part but I am covering this in another post Choosing an Acronym and Tagline: Each… Read more
EIC Accelerator SME Instrument Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) Part 2 Posted on October 12, 2019October 9, 2020 Here is some additional information regarding the EU’s Startup Funding (The SME Instrument) that I frequently get questions about: Since Phase 1 will have its last two cut-off days this year with Phase 2 applications still being open, let me give you the main things to keep in mind… Read more
EIC Accelerator The Two Most Important Features for an SME Instrument Project (EIC Accelerator) Posted on October 12, 2019March 20, 2020 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… Read more
EIC Accelerator SME Instrument Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) Posted on October 12, 2019March 20, 2020 Since Phase 1 (€50,000) of the EUs start-up grant will be discontinued after September 2019 but Phase 2 (€2,500,000) will remain open, here is an overview of the main differences between the applications. While Phase 1 &2 proposals do follow almost the exact same template, there are important variations… Read more
EIC Accelerator How To Identify a High Quality SME Instrument Project (EIC Accelerator) Posted on October 12, 2019March 20, 2020 If you are considering to apply for the start-up grant by the EU, here is the most important information on how to identify a high-quality project: (1) Hardware products: More than 60% of all funded projects are related to hardware manufacturing, followed by subscription services at only 16%. This… Read more
Horizon 2020 What Types of Companies Have Received Funding? Posted on March 19, 2019March 18, 2020 In 2018, the EC has published an annual report which contained some helpful statistics. It actually answers quite a few questions that I frequently receive from companies, so here are the bullet points: Of all funded companies, 84% (Phase 2) and 95% (Phase 1) applied as single entities Most… Read more
Horizon 2020 SME Instrument 2018 Changes Posted on March 19, 2019March 18, 2020 Before 2018, there were pre-defined industries (13 in total) which could apply to the SME Instrument. Starting February 2018, the funding is available to projects of all industries with no topic restrictions. The budgets and competitiveness of the old topics were highly disproportionate so this new development might level… Read more
Horizon 2020 Directly Applying for Phase 2 Posted on March 19, 2019March 18, 2020 I am talking to a lot of startups regarding EU funding and I frequently get asked if it is possible to apply to Phase 2 of the SME Instrument directly. The answer is: Yes. Technically you can but in reality, most startups do not have enough data (market, business… Read more
Horizon 2020 Do You Need Additional Investors? Posted on March 19, 2019March 18, 2020 Phase 1 is funded as a flat fee of €50,000 for the purpose of performing a feasibility study. Phase 2, while being flexible with €500,000 to €5,000,000 in funding, is also paid as 70% of the total projects costs. The reason for the remaining 30% is that the… Read more