EIC Pre-Accelerator
Grants for early deep-tech startups in widening countries to develop technology, business and investment readiness (TRL 4 to TRL 6).
500,000 - 1,000,000 EUR (2027), 300,000 - 500,000 EUR (2025)
70 %
18 November 2027
About the grant
The EIC Pre-Accelerator is a joint programme between the European Innovation Council and the WIDERA programme, funded under the WIDERA Work Programme 2025 and 2026-2027. Its purpose is to strengthen the innovation potential of early deep-tech startups in widening countries by improving their business, investor and technology readiness to secure funding from various sources. The grant is provided as a one-off amount between 500,000 and 1 million euros (2027) or 300,000 to 500,000 euros (2025) to support early development of future technologies, with a funding rate of 70% of the project’s eligible costs. The programme also offers coaching, mentoring, networking and access to the EIC Accelerator Fast Track. Applications are submitted via the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal with a deadline of 18 November 2027.
Requirements
- The company must be a single SME established in a Horizon Europe widening country.
- The company must have a high-impact innovation that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones (at least TRL 4).
- The company must have the necessary intellectual property rights to ensure freedom to operate and protection of the idea.
- The company must have a clear market plan with concrete and verifiable milestones and KPIs.
- The company must have the ambition and commitment to scale up the business.
What types of project are suitable?
Source
Read more at European Innovation Council (EIC)Frequently asked questions about EIC Pre-Accelerator
Quick answers to what people ask most about this grant.
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