10 Oct 2024
EIC Accelerator receives record number of applications in October cut-off
The European Innovation Council received 1,211 full applications from start-ups and SMEs for the EIC Accelerator 3 October cut-off (the last in 2024). This is the highest ever number of submissions since the launch of the EIC under Horizon Europe. All together, the applications request a budget of €8.875 billion. Blended finance continues to be in high demand - 898 companies (74% of total applicants) requested grants combined with equity investments.
32% of the proposals were submitted by women-led companies (CEO, CTO or CSO). The applicants come from 35 different countries (including 13 Widening Countries), with the highest number of participants coming from Germany, Israel, and France.
Proposals are now being evaluated by independent experts. The highest ranked companies will then be invited to pitch in front of a jury of investors and business experts between 20 and 24 January 2025. Final decisions on which companies will receive funding are expected by the end of February 2025 and those selected for equity support will be passed to the EIC Fund for investment decisions.
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