Europe · Horizon Europe

EIC Accelerator

Blended finance for European SMEs with high-impact, disruptive innovations. Combines a grant (up to €2.5M) with the possibility for equity investment (up to €10M) to bridge the valley of death between proof-of-concept and commercialisation.

Eligibility

Do you have a high-impact innovative product, service or business model that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones — in Europe and worldwide?

Are you a start-up or SME with the ambition and commitment to scale up, seeking substantial funding where the risk is too high for private investors alone?

If so, you may be eligible for the EIC Accelerator. The gap between proof-of-concept and commercialisation is where many companies fail. The Accelerator helps innovative companies bridge it with grants and equity for high-risk, high-reward ventures.

How Auxn helps

Fit assessment and go/no-go before you commit resources
Full proposal writing for Step 1 and Step 2
Financial model and business plan review
Pitch coaching for the jury interview

The process in detail

From short proposal to jury interview

Step 1: The Short Proposal

Submissions are open year-round. Step 1 consists of a short proposal, a 10-slide pitch deck, and a 3-minute video. It is critical at this stage to convey the innovativeness and impact of your solution. We can help you craft succinct answers, develop a slide deck tailored to the EIC reviewer's requirements, and edit your video.

Step 2: The Long Proposal

There are 4 Step 2 cut-offs per year. This consists of a highly detailed proposal, looking at all aspects of your technology, company, competitors, and market. All of these elements must be tightly interwoven and we work with you to ensure that they tell a consistent story. We will also assist you in drafting the detailed financial sheet, FTO statement, and other file attachments.

Step 3: The Interview

Preparation is key to passing the interview stage. You will have 10 minutes to present your pitch to a panel of experts and investors. Many companies underestimate how tough this can be, even those experienced with investor pitches. We make sure that your presentation is tight and that you are prepared for whatever questions might be thrown at you.