EIC Accelerator Stage 1: How to Apply A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing a Winning Application
EIC Accelerator Stage 1 - How it works
The EIC Accelerator Stage 1 application process is the formal entry point into the European Innovation Council’s flagship funding programme for highly innovative start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Designed to support breakthrough technologies with the potential to scale globally, the programme offers up to €2.5 million in grant funding and the possibility of up to €15 million in equity investment. Stage 1 is a focused but critical component of the process. Although the application is short in form, it requires a precise articulation of your innovation, its market potential, and your team’s capability to execute the proposed vision.
Stage 1 does not require a full business plan or detailed work packages. Instead, it asks for a concise presentation of the essential elements of your innovation and its commercial case. The aim is to allow the European Commission’s expert evaluators to assess whether your idea is a credible candidate for full EIC support and whether you should be invited to submit a detailed Stage 2 application. In practice, this means clearly articulating the novelty of your solution, the strength of the unmet market need, your competitive position, and the strategic role EIC funding will play in your success.
What is Required for EIC Accelerator Stage 1?
Before applying, you must register your organisation on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This unique identifier links your company to the European Commission’s central database. You will also need an EU Login account to access the portal and manage your application. UK-registered companies remain eligible to apply for EIC Accelerator funding, although they are currently limited to grant-only support under the terms of the UK’s association with Horizon Europe
The Three Core Elements of the Stage 1 Application
The Stage 1 application comprises three elements: an online form, a ten-slide pitch deck, and a three-minute video pitch. The online form—referred to as Part A—is completed within the EU portal and includes basic organisational information, contact details, a short project abstract, and a selection of keywords to assist with the assignment of appropriate evaluators. While this section is largely administrative, consistency with the content of your pitch deck and video is important.
The pitch deck is the core of the application. Limited to ten slides and submitted in PDF format, it must deliver a persuasive, high-level overview of your innovation and business case. There is no mandated structure, but it is expected to include a clear problem statement, a description of the solution and its novelty, market size and opportunity, business model, team capability, intellectual property position, and a statement of funding requirements. The content should be succinct, visually accessible, and tailored to a reviewer who may not be a subject-matter expert.
The video pitch is equally important. Applicants must submit a video of up to three minutes in which up to three core team members introduce themselves, explain the motivation behind the project, and outline why they are applying for EIC Accelerator funding. The purpose of the video is to allow evaluators to assess the credibility, commitment, and ambition of the team. High production quality is not expected; authenticity and clarity of message are far more important than visual polish.
How and When to Submit
EIC Accelerator Stage 1 proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. However, applications are batched for evaluation once per month—typically on the first Tuesday of each month at 17:00 Brussels time. To be included in a given batch, your submission must be complete, correctly formatted, and submitted before the monthly cut-off. Late applications will not be considered and will need to be resubmitted for the next round. For this reason, applicants are strongly advised to begin preparing early and allow time for internal review and system validation.
Evaluation and Scoring Process
Each Stage 1 application is assessed remotely by four independent expert evaluators selected from the European Commission’s expert database. Proposals are evaluated against three core criteria: excellence, impact, and implementation (including the rationale for EU support). Excellence refers to the degree of innovation, technical feasibility, and advancement over the state of the art. Impact considers market size, growth potential, the strength of the business case, and the broader societal or environmental benefit. The implementation section assesses the team’s capacity, strategic alignment, and justification for requesting public funding. Each evaluator gives a simple GO or NO GO recommendation for each of the three criteria. To pass Stage 1 and be invited to Stage 2, your proposal must receive at least three out of four GO scores across all criteria.
Applicants are typically informed of the outcome within four to six weeks of the batching date. If successful, you will receive an invitation to submit a full Stage 2 proposal. From that point, you have up to twelve months to submit your Stage 2 application. However, given the complexity and scope of the next stage, we recommend beginning preparation soon after receiving a green light. In most cases, it takes six to eight weeks to assemble a high-quality Stage 2 submission, including technical narrative, annexes, budget, and pitch materials.
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If Your Stage 1 Application is Not Successful
If your Stage 1 application is not successful, you may revise and resubmit it. There is currently no formal cap on the number of resubmissions, but it is important that each version demonstrates improvement and responsiveness to feedback. Repeated rejections without significant modification are unlikely to be viewed favourably.
Why Stage 1 Matters
In summary, EIC Accelerator Stage 1 is your opportunity to present a concise but compelling case for why your innovation deserves EU backing. While the format is deliberately streamlined, the standard is high, and the competition is intense. The strongest applications balance clarity, ambition, and realism—showing not only a transformative idea but also the capability and vision to deliver it. A successful Stage 1 application sets the tone for everything that follows.
Support with EIC Accelerator Stage 1
If you are considering applying to the EIC Accelerator and would like expert support at Stage 1, we can help. At Novigo, we work with technology-led businesses to develop high-impact applications that meet the Commission’s expectations. For guidance on preparing your pitch deck, structuring your video, or submitting through the EU portal, call 07868 748856 and ask for Graham. We’ll help you determine your eligibility and build a roadmap toward a strong and credible submission.
