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European Innovation Council

EU funding and investment initiative supporting deep-tech startups and research projects

From the Xiry library · Updated 3 October 2026

Visit eic.ec.europa.eu ↗

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a major European Union funding program under Horizon Europe dedicated to identifying and scaling breakthrough technologies. Through initiatives like the EIC Accelerator, it offers startups and SMEs non-dilutive grants of up to €2.5 million alongside equity investments up to €10 million via the EIC Fund. It also provides business acceleration services, coaching, and thematic challenge grants across the European innovation ecosystem.

What it's for

  • Apply for non-dilutive grants to scale early-stage deep-tech innovations (TRL 6–8)
  • Raise blended finance combining EU grants with equity investments from the EIC Fund
  • Access European business acceleration services, investor networks, and corporate partnerships
  • Track open calls for thematic deep-tech, defence, and dual-use technology challenges

Features

  • EIC Accelerator program offering grants up to €2.5M and equity investments up to €10M
  • Blended finance model combining non-dilutive funding with direct equity from the EIC Fund
  • Multiple funding tracks including EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, and STEP Scale Up
  • Business Acceleration Services (BAS) offering coaching, mentoring, and corporate networking
  • EIC Data Hub tracking funded startups, projects, and impact metrics across Horizon Europe
  • Dedicated challenge calls targeting strategic sectors such as defence and dual-use technologies

Pricing

Free to apply; funding programs award grants and equity investments

Details

Type
Website
Category
Business & Money
Topic
Startup Funding
Open source
No
Platforms
Web
For
European startups, deep-tech researchers, and SMEs seeking non-dilutive and blended growth capital
Alternative to
SBIR, Innovate UK
Tags
eic accelerator, grants, deep tech, venture funding, startups, horizon europe

Why it was saved

  • @max_tanevskiy, 14 July 2026: Allows tech startups and innovators to raise significant capital without mandatory equity dilution to scale breakthrough innovations (TRL 6–8).

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