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European Innovation Council

EIC Accelerator (Horizon Europe)

£500,000 – £2,500,000Rolling deadlineUK, Europe

Sourced over a month ago — verify with the funder before applying

EU flagship programme for deep tech startups. Up to €2.5m grant plus up to €15m equity investment. UK companies now eligible again.

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Eligibility

  • SME or startup (fewer than 250 employees).
  • Must be developing a breakthrough innovation with global market potential.
  • UK companies now eligible following Horizon association agreement.
  • Must not have received EIC Accelerator funding previously.
  • Sole applicants (no consortia).
  • Minimum 2 years trading typically, though earlier-stage considered.

About this grant

The EIC Accelerator is Europe's flagship programme for high-impact, deep-tech startups and scale-ups. Provides blended finance: grant component (up to €2.5m) and equity investment component (up to €15m) from the EIC Fund. UK companies regained eligibility following the UK-EU Horizon association. Strong focus on breakthrough technologies: green tech, digital, health, space. Highly competitive — acceptance rate ~3–5%.

Source: the funder's page — always confirm criteria with the funder before applying.

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