EIC Accelerator 2026

About

An equity-free grant program providing substantial funding and support for innovative start-ups and SMEs, focusing on transformative technologies with strong commercial potential. Participants can access significant financial resources and blended finance options to accelerate their business growth.

Benefits

• 💰Total Funding Amount
  Total proposed funding amount for grants is €90 million
• 💼Potential Equity Investments
  Potential equity investments amount to €202 million
• 📈Blended Finance Eligibility
• 84% of beneficiaries are eligible for blended finance (combination of grants and equity investment)

Eligibility Criteria

• Single company classified as an SME established within a Member State or an Associated Country
• Single company classified as a small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a Member State or an Associated Country
• One or more natural persons or legal entities from a Member State or an Associated Country intending to establish an SME or small mid-cap by the time of signing the EIC Accelerator grant agreement

Participation Commitments

• Must submit a short application consisting of a written proposal and a pitch video
• Full application required upon successful outcome in Stage 1
• Must demonstrate transformative technologies and strong commercial promise

Target Region

Europe

Target Sector

All sectors