EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening
Funds deep-tech start-ups in EU widening countries with up to EUR 500,000 to reach investment readiness and qualify for EIC Accelerator or other funding.
This is a single-stage Coordination and Support Action that funds one SME on its own, not a consortium, as a lump sum rather than reimbursing itemised costs. The lump sum covers up to seventy percent of eligible costs over a project of up to two years, with the beneficiary funding the other thirty percent itself. Three independent evaluators score each proposal against the EIC Transition award cri…
This call funds early-stage deep-tech start-ups in EU widening countries that have lab-validated technology (TRL 4) and want to mature it to TRL 5/6 while becoming ready to attract investment. Applicants must show they hold the IP needed for freedom to operate and have a clear route to market with concrete milestones. The aim is to prepare start-ups to successfully apply to EIC Accelerator or attract other private or public investment.
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Guides for this application
All guides →Horizon Europe Grants for Startups: A Founder Guide
A practical guide to Horizon Europe grants for startups, including EIC, consortia, eligibility, Funding & Tenders, TRL, budgets, and EU strategy.
BudgetGrant Financials and Co-Funding Evidence: Examples for Startup Applications
See examples of grant financials, match funding evidence, co-funding tables, accountant letters, investor commitments, and budget-to-work-plan checks.
Start hereTRL Levels Explained for Deeptech Founders
Learn what TRL levels mean, how to estimate technology readiness, and how TRL affects grants, EIC Accelerator, SBIR/STTR, funding stage, and application evidence.
Write proposalHow to Write a Grant Proposal Reviewers Can Score
Learn how to write a grant proposal around reviewer criteria, evidence, work packages, budget logic, and commercialization for deeptech and R&D funding.
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