The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the EU’s flagship programme for breakthrough, high-risk innovations with the potential to create new markets and scale globally. It supports game-changing technologies, disruptive business models, and pioneering research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Designed to bridge the gap between research and commercial success, the EIC funds innovators at every stage, from early research through to scale-up investment.
What it funds
The EIC provides several complementary funding instruments:
EIC Pathfinder
For early-stage, high-risk research exploring radically new technologies (typically TRL 1-4)
EIC Transition
To mature results from Pathfinder or Horizon Europe projects toward commercial readiness (TRL 4-6)
EIC Accelerator
For SMEs and start-ups developing high-impact innovations ready for market (TRL 6-9), offering a unique blend of grant and equity investment
Advanced Innovation Challenges
Encourages high-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovations with transformative potential, particularly in fields with strong research foundations but limited commercial adoption
EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up
To provide equity funding to innovative SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and small mid-caps in critical sectors to help them attract private co-investment rounds of €50M+ for scaling
The programme spans all sectors, from biotechnology and advanced materials to AI, clean energy, and space technologies, supporting both deep tech and interdisciplinary innovation.
Who it’s for
The EIC primarily targets innovative SMEs, start-ups, spin-outs, and research organisations developing high-risk, high-impact technologies. While Pathfinder and Transition projects are often collaborative, the EIC Accelerator is designed for single SMEs or small consortia led by a company.
Applicants come from across the EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and participation from other countries may be possible in specific calls.
Funding at a glance
EIC funding is non-dilutive (for grants) and equity-based (for investment components):
- Pathfinder: up to €3-4 million per project, covering 100% of eligible costs.
- Transition: up to €2.5 million per project.
- Accelerator: up to €2.5 million in grants, plus optional equity investment up to €10 million through the EIC Fund.
- Advanced Innovation Challenges: grants of €0.3 million per project
- STEP: investments from €10-30 million
Calls are launched several times per year, with a mix of open and challenge-driven topics targeting key strategic areas such as health, digital technologies, and green transition.
Common challenges
EIC proposals are highly competitive, requiring a balance of technical excellence, commercial potential, and societal impact. Many applicants struggle to:
- Clearly articulate the innovation and market differentiation.
- Demonstrate scalability and investor readiness.
- Navigate the multi-step submission and evaluation process (especially for the EIC Accelerator).
Success demands a clear, evidence-based narrative that convinces evaluators of both the ambition and feasibility of the idea.
How Iconiq helps
At Iconiq, we understand that the EIC is unlike any other funding programme, it’s where visionary science meets entrepreneurial ambition. Our consultants combine deep technical expertise (many with PhD and postdoctoral backgrounds) with hands-on experience in EU innovation funding.
We help you:
- Identify the right EIC instrument for your innovation stage.
- Develop a clear, compelling proposal aligned with the EIC’s expectations.
- Shape the business and impact sections to match investor logic.
- Prepare strong supporting materials, including pitch deck, pitch video, prepare for the interview stage, as well as the financials (for Accelerator).
Every EIC proposal we support goes through rigorous internal review by experienced EU evaluators, ensuring it meets the highest standards before submission.
Whether you’re refining a disruptive deep-tech concept or scaling an existing innovation, we bring structure, strategy, and polish, turning ambitious ideas into fundable proposals.
see our impact in action
Explore our current project portfolio and completed case studies to see our impact in action: