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Accelerator, Grant, Blended Finance

EIC Accelerator

Open
EU Member States
English
Full proposal deadlines for 2025: 12 March 2025 & 1 October 2025 ; Short proposals: continuous, with monthly batching (European Innovation Council)

Test your idea and explore market interest.

A key EU funding program under Horizon Europe offering grants and blended finance (grant + equity) to scale deep‑tech SMEs and startups from TRL 6–9.

What is it for:-

To support the scaling of breakthrough innovations and mobilize additional investment

What can the funding be used for?

Advanced technology/product developmentMarket validation & pilotsScale-up and commercialization in EuropeRegulatory complianceIP protection activities

What is the goal :

Help companies scale globally and bridge the funding gap from innovation to market deployment

Funding scope

Grant component: up to €2.5 M; equity component: €0.5–10 M (blended finance); grant-only also available

Final report includes:

Pitch deck (max 10 slides), 2–3 min video, full business plan & financials for full proposal, detailed forms via EU portal
EIC
https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en
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Grant Application

EIC Accelerator

Open
EU Member States
English
Full proposal deadlines for 2025: 12 March 2025 & 1 October 2025 ; Short proposals: continuous, with monthly batching (European Innovation Council)

Test your idea and explore market interest.


Oppstart 1 supports early-stage startups that want to validate whether there’s a paying market for their innovative solution. This grant helps you gain key market insights and early feedback from customers, partners, or investors — before you invest heavily in development.

What is it for:-

  • Startups that:
  • Are under 3 years old (in some cases up to 5) and not majority-owned by established companies
  • Have an innovative solution that is clearly new to the market
  • Have conducted some initial market analysis
  • Can describe their competitive advantage and customer focus
  • Are ready to test assumptions with real users through a minimum viable solution

What can the funding be used for?

  • Market research and customer interviews
  • MVP development (lean, resource-light)
  • Early testing and validation with potential users
  • Activities that build network and relevant competence
  • Costs that help you avoid building something based on untested assumptions

What is the goal :

To achieve “market acceptance” — meaning someone external is willing to take a risk alongside you. This could be through pilot agreements, capital from partners, or interest from early customers or investors.

Funding scope

  • Up to NOK 100,000 (100%) for companies without employees
  • Up to NOK 200,000 (75%) for companies with employees (includes internal time + external costs)

Final report includes:

Results from activities, key learnings, next steps, SWOT analysis, expected capital needs, and plans for future development and commercialization.

EIC
https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en