What is the EIC Pre-Accelerator?
The pilot EIC Pre-Accelerator call is a joint scheme between the European Innovation Council and the Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) programme. It is funded under the WIDERA Work Programme 2025.
The aim of the call is to boost the innovation potential of early-stage deep-tech startups in widening countries by enhancing their business, investor, and technology readiness to secure funding from different sources.
The objective is to raise the readiness of high potential deep-tech startupsin widening countries to a level where they will:
- be successful in applying and attracting the EIC Accelerator funding and/or
- manage to secure other private investment and/or
- attract successfully national and regional funding (e.g. through national Seal of Excellence programmes).
- Grant funding
- Lump sum from €300K to €500K to support early stage development of future technologies.
- 70 % of eligible cost of the project. The remaining 30% should be co-funded by the beneficiary through its own resources.
- Grant for maximum 2 years.
- Total budget EUR 20 million.
- Extensive support
- Free access to tailored Business Acceleration Services to improve investor readiness (coaching, one-to-one services) and outreach (participation to bootcamps and pitching sessions)
- Access to the Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator scheme
- Seals of Excellence to be awarded, accompanied by free access to BAS.
