EIC Pre-Accelerator offers innovators an avenue to secure funding 

The pilot EIC Pre-Accelerator aims to boost the chances of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to obtain EIC Accelerator funding and attract private investment. The goal is to help early-stage deep tech companies to realize their potential. Businesses may attain funding with groundbreaking ideas with the necessary Intellectual Property Rights that ensure the freedom to operate. 

EIC Accelerator, under the framework of Horizon Europe, funds innovative and groundbreaking project ideas through the European Innovation Council (EIC). EIC Accelerator offers funding for businesses and start-ups (or individuals with the intention of founding their own company), whose products, services or business model possess the potential to create new markets or profoundly alter existing ones in Europe and worldwide. Attainment of the funding also requires sufficient ambition, commitment to grow one’s business and the need for sizable funding which private investors are incapable of satisfying on their own. You can read more about the EIC Accelerator here. 

In the latest round of the EIC Accelerator funding 40 innovative small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups received a total of nearly 230 million euros of funding. Of these businesses and start-ups, 32 % had women in leading roles. The European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology have also launched their latest European Prize for Women Innovators contest, which seeks to support female entrepreneurs whose innovations possess significant potential. You can read more about the contest here.  

Businesses may obtain up to 500 000 euros of funding through the EIC Pre-Accelerator program, as well as comprehensive mentoring and coaching, which may help in the attainment of additional funding in the future. Additionally, successful applicants will have the chance to directly apply for the EIC Accelerator funding. The deadline for the EIC Pre-Accelerator application is 18 November 2025. You can read more about submitting an application here.