The European Innovation Council selected 38 startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in its latest EIC Accelerator round, proposing €90 million in grants and setting aside about €202 million for potential equity investments, according to the council's 15 June 2026 announcement.
For founders deciding between venture capital and public money, the grant side matters in particular: it comes without an ownership stake. The program lets a company mix the two, or take investment only.
How the Accelerator Works
The EIC Accelerator offers a lump-sum grant of up to €2.5 million for work at technology readiness levels (TRL) 6 to 8, supporting companies in reaching TRL 9, or market readiness. Projects are typically completed within 24 months, according to the EIC's Accelerator page. Companies can also take equity from the EIC Fund, generally between €1 million and €10 million under the 2026 Work Programme.
Applicants may choose a blend of the two or "investment only." A company can receive "grant only" support once during Horizon Europe, the EU's research program running from 2021 to 2027.
Selection happens in stages. Step 1 is a short proposal: 12 pages, a 10-slide deck and a three-minute video. Step 2 is a full proposal of 20 pages plus annexes, assessed remotely. The top-ranked proposals earn a jury interview, which the EIC's tips page describes as a 10-minute pitch followed by roughly 35 minutes of questions.
Equity cases then move to due diligence by the EIC Fund. The EIC said a decision typically arrives two to six months after selection and may be staged. It also cautioned that "selected for funding" lists are not formal commitments until grant preparation is finalized, a caveat founders would be wise to keep in mind.
Who Made the Cut
Of the 38 companies, 84% chose blended finance, the EIC said. They come from 16 countries, and 21% are women-led. Named examples include Amatera Biosciences, BTRY, Cognibotics, Microamp Solutions and Planeteers.
