EIC Accelerator
Are you looking to apply to the EIC Accelerator and you’ve previously or currently participated in one of our EIT Digital programmes?
Thanks to the collaboration between the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) you can now apply to the competitive EIC Accelerator through the EIT Digital – EIC Fast Track programme and be directly channeled to Step 2!
In fact, under the Fast Track programme, EIT Digital companies that apply and are selected will be given the opportunity to skip the EIC Accelerator short application evaluation – Step 1 – and proceed directly to the full application – Step 2, receiving support by the EIT Digital EIC mentoring team.
Why apply to the EIC Accelerator through the Fast Track
If you are looking for new investment opportunities, you can make the most of this opportunity by applying directly to Step 2 of the EIC Accelerator evaluation process. As a KIC of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology, EIT Digital has forged a special partnership with the European Innovation Council that allows its companies to access this special privilege.
The EIC Accelerator looks for companies that can scale their game changing innovations to make a positive impact on the world, offering substantial funding support - € 1.13 billion in total in 2023- with grant funding of up to €2.5 million and equity investments of up to €15 million per company.
In addition, companies that get selected to participate in the EIC Accelerator become part of the EIC community and receive its benefits.
How it works
Application
Apply to the Fast Track programme with EIT Digital to make sure you can receive your Fast Track status prior to the next EIC Accelerator cut-off. In this way you can receive your Step 1 approval in days instead of weeks.
Admission
If EIT Digital selects your company for Fast Track designation, you will receive instructions on how to take advantage of this benefit and will receive proposal strategy guidance from our team of EIC Accelerator experts.
Submission
As an EIT Digital Fast Track company, you’ll be well positioned to submit a high-quality Step 2 (full) proposal without the delay of the usual Step 1 (short) proposal approval process. Your submission will then be evaluated alongside all the other proposals received in that cut-off and will be subject to the same review process and criteria as every other entry.
Interview
If your proposal passes Step 2, you will be invited to Brussels for face-to-face interviews to pitch your proposal. Great job! The EIT Digital Growth Services team will support you in the preparation of your interview, such as conducting practice interview sessions. Good luck!
Who should apply?
The EIC - EIT Digital Fast Track programme welcomes EIT Digital companies that:
- Have participated in any EIT Digital programme before
- Have not previously applied to an EIC Accelerator programme
- Have not previously applied to the EIC - EIT Digital Fast Track programme
- Are an SME according to the EU definition
- Own or have rights to the IP (if applicable) that form the basis of the project or product
- Are already incorporated and operating in a Horizon Europe country
Ready to apply?
Answer the application questions and wait to hear back from us! The earlier you apply, the more time we will have to support you.
The Fast Track Team
Questions?
If you have any questions prior to the application please write an email to eic_fast_track@eitdigital.eu.
