The Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator program offers a streamlined pathway for startups and SMEs that have participated in a Eurostars-3-funded project. This initiative allows eligible companies to directly access the full proposal stage of the EIC Accelerator, aiming to accelerate the scaling of high-impact, deep tech innovations. The program is a component of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, which is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe.
Program Details
• Objective: To accelerate the growth of startups and SMEs by enabling them to bypass the initial short proposal stage of the EIC Accelerator.
• Focus: Supports high-impact, deep tech innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
• Affiliation: Part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe.
Funding and Support
• Funding Model: The EIC Accelerator provides a combination of grant and investment funding.
• 2026 Allocation: A total of 634 million euro is allocated for the year 2026.
• Additional Benefits: Selected applicants gain access to coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities with investors and corporates.
Eligibility Criteria
• Legal Entity: Applicants must be a legal entity established in an EU Member State, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, or the United Kingdom.
• Company Type: Must be a single startup, SME, or small mid-cap.
• Project Status: Must have successfully completed a Eurostars-3 project after September 25, 2024, or be in a Eurostars-3 project finishing before March 25, 2027.
• Innovation: Must have an innovative business concept resulting from the Eurostars-3 project.
• Intellectual Property: Must possess or have rights to the relevant intellectual property.
• Documentation: Must submit all requested documentation completely.
Application Process
• Initial Step: Create an account on the Eureka application portal and select the open call.
• Application Form: Complete an application form consisting of six sections.
• Pitch Deck: Submit a pitch deck of up to 10 slides in English.
• Evaluation: The highest-scoring applicants will be invited to pitch their business idea to a panel of EIC experts for a GO/NO GO decision.
• Final Stage: Awardees will be invited to submit a full proposal to the EIC Accelerator.
Key Dates
• Application Deadline: September 25, 2026
For complete details and to begin the application process, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Eureka Network website.