Newsletter of the National Contact
Point EIC Accelerator for the EU-programme Horizon Europe (NKS EIC
Accelerator) Nr. 01 / 2025
Latest news
Successful interview trainings of the NCP EIC
Accelerator
The National Contact Point (NCP) EIC Accelerator is
pleased to report another successful interview training with the teams of
the EIC Accelerator interview round in January 2025. A total of 20
companies took part in our training sessions to optimally prepare for
their interview. Our training sessions are designed for all teams
invited to the interview stage. They consist of two parts:
-
Pitch training: Candidates improve their presentation
skills to convince the jury of their innovation idea.
-
Q&A training: In this session, we prepare the teams
specifically for the Q&A session so that they can confidently answer
critical questions.
With this programme, we are helping the teams from
Germany to enter the final round of the application process with
confidence and professionalism.
Do you have any questions about our trainings or the
EIC Accelerator? We will be happy to help you.
European Innovation Council Summit
2025
The European Innovation Council Summit will take place in
Brussels from 2 to 3 April 2025. The first day is dedicated to EIC-funded
teams with workshops, pitching sessions and networking opportunities. The
second day is open to the public and offers discussions and fireside chats
on various topics. Throughout the event, participants will have the
opportunity to network and get to know the EIC projects presented in the
exhibition.
Challenges in the EIC Accelerator 2025
The EIC Work Programme 2025 also introduced new EIC
Accelerator 'Challenges'. These Challenges have been identified in areas
where breakthrough technologies and innovations developed by start-ups or
SMEs can have a major impact on EU objectives. In 2025, the Challenges aim
to drive innovation in five key areas: advanced materials, biotechnology,
artificial intelligence, space and future mobility. A total of €250
million is available to implement the Challenges. In addition to the
Challenges, there is still an open call for proposals for the EIC
Accelerator.
Further information can be found directly in the EIC Work
Programme.
39th CORNET Call open
On 22 January 2025, the international funding network
CORNET opened the current call for proposals. With CORNET, the Federal
Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is funding cross-border
research and development projects involving companies and research
partners. The aim is to increase the innovative capacity of small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and strengthen their
competitiveness.
As part of the 39.
CORNET Call, international project consortia can submit applications
to the transnational CORNET funding network until 26 March 2025 at 12:00
pm (Central European Summer Time).
The CORNET team at DLR PT invites all eligible research
associations to a virtual 90-minute information event on 5 and 12 February
on how to apply.
Good to know
EIC STEP Scale-up: Application Guide to
support potential applicants
The EIC STEP Scale-up programme is part of the Strategic
Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and offers financial support in
the form of investments between 10 and 30 million euros for start-ups,
SMEs and small mid-caps.
An application guide to support potential applicants can
be found here: Application
Guide
General information about the instrument can be found
here: About
the STEP Scale-up Instrument
Dates
NCP EIC Accelerator Application Workshop: EIC
Accelerator full Proposal (in German language)
-
Date: 11 February 2025
-
Time: 10:00-11:30
The EIC Accelerator is aimed at small and medium-sized
enterprises, including start-ups, developing breakthrough, high-risk
innovations with high market potential and offers both grants and equity
to develop the innovation to market maturity. The EIC Accelerator
application process consists of three stages: In the first stage, a short
application with a video and a pitch presentation is submitted. In the
second stage, applicants with the best project proposals submit a full
proposal. In the third stage, the most promising applicants are invited
for an interview.
The full proposal workshop provides participants with an
insight into stage 2, the full proposal. The application system and the
application template will be presented.
The workshop is open to all SMEs and start-ups interested
in the programme, currently applying to the EIC Accelerator or planning to
apply. Consultancy companies are excluded from participation.
Participation is free of charge.
Online Seminar of the NCP EIC Accelerator on
EIC STEP Scale-up (in German language)
-
Date: 13 February 2025
-
Time: 10:00-11:30
The new EIC STEP Scale-up is a funding programme that
offers start-ups and SMEs investments of EUR 10 to 30 million as
co-investments in larger financing rounds. The aim is to support the
scaling up of breakthrough innovations in digital technologies, clean
technologies and biotechnology.
In the online seminar, the NCP EIC Accelerator will
present the EIC STEP Scale-up Programme and give an overview of the
application process. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask
questions.
The event is open to all investors, small mid-caps, SMEs
and start-ups interested in the programme, currently preparing an
application or planning to submit an application. Consultancy firms are
excluded from participation. Participation is free of charge.
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