The European Innovation Council (EIC) has announced funding support for 40 high-potential start-ups and small businesses through its EIC Accelerator program
The 40 selected companies span a range of industries, including clean energy, AI, aviation safety, and sustainable agriculture. These companies were chosen for their transformative technologies and strong potential for market impact.
After a long selection process, which included interviews for 150 shortlisted proposals, these 40 companies were selected as the final recipients. The total proposed funding is approximately €230 million, combining non-dilutive grant support with equity investments through the EIC Fund.
Blended finance
Of the selected businesses, 87% will receive blended finance, a combination of up to €2.5 million in grant support and up to €10 million in equity investment. This flexible approach allows companies to tailor funding to their specific development and scaling needs. The equity component is managed by the EIC Fund, which often helps further private investment.
A smaller number of companies secured either grant-only or equity-only support based on their business models and readiness for market.
Encouraging gender diversity and cross-border innovation
A key part of this round is the continued progress toward gender diversity in deep tech. Women have key leadership positions in 32% of the selected companies. This is a significant step forward for inclusion and leadership equity in high-growth innovation sectors.
The selected start-ups represent 16 EU members and associated countries. Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden led the way in terms of the number of successful applicants, reflecting strong national innovation ecosystems.
Examples of breakthrough technologies
This round features several stand-out technologies that address global challenges:
- OligoFeed (France): A natural supplement for honey bees that boosts immunity and hive survival, helping combat the decline in pollinator populations without leaving residues in honey.
- Turbulence Solutions (Austria): Advanced real-time turbulence-cancellation for aviation, using LiDAR and adaptive control surfaces to enhance flight comfort and safety.
- Copenhagen Atomics (Denmark): Compact thorium molten salt reactors powered by nuclear waste, offering a scalable clean energy solution.
- Singularly (Spain): AI-driven security tools that help organisations deploy generative AI safely and in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
- Apisense (Poland): AI and satellite-powered diagnostics for early detection of bee diseases, reducing dependency on chemical treatments and improving hive health.
Seal of Excellence and STEP Seal awards
In addition to the funded companies, 109 positively evaluated proposals that could not be funded due to budget limitations received a Seal of Excellence, recognising their high quality and aiding in securing alternative EU support.
All 20 applicants who reached the interview stage under the EIC Accelerator’s five strategic challenge areas received a STEP Seal. This label marks their alignment with the objectives of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), opening doors to complementary funding options.
Next steps and application opportunities
The finalisation of grant agreements for this round is expected within the next three months, while equity investments will follow based on each company’s specific strategy. All funded projects will also gain access to Business Acceleration Services, offering valuable connections with investors, corporates, and innovation networks.
Applications for the EIC Accelerator are accepted year-round, with the next full proposal deadline set for 1 October 2025, as per the EIC 2025 Work Programme.
