Highest demand ever for the EIC Accelerator Pilot with more than 4,200 proposals requesting over €15 billion

The applications came from start-ups and SMEs based in 48 countries, with highest demand from Italy (457), Spain (396), Israel (386), Germany (358) and France (305). The proposals cover a variety of areas including health (952 proposals), information and communication technology (724), engineering and technology (623), energy (343) and construction and transport networks (263). There was also an encouraging level of applications from women innovators (approx. 20% with a female CEO).

All of the applications will be evaluated by independent experts, against criteria such as breakthrough nature, scale up potential and quality of the team. The highest ranked, including at least one quarter with female CEOs, will be invited to pitch online to an independent jury of experts, investors and entrepreneurs scheduled from 26 November to 4 December.  The total amount of funding available is approximately €170 million; the results of the evaluation will be announced in December 2020 after which they will receive grants of up to €2.5 million and potential equity investments of up to €15 million from the recently established EIC Fund.

Following the successful EIC pilot phase, and subject to the conclusions of the Horizon Europe negotiations, the full EIC will be launched for beginning 2021 with simpler applications and improved funding.