Deadline: September 12, 2025
The Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs and is designed to help startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises continue innovating and scale-up high-impact solutions.
The Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator allows eligible startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps that have completed or are near completion of a Eurostars-3 project to bypass the short proposal stage and directly submit a full proposal to the EIC Accelerator. This programme combines grant and investment support with access to mentors, coaches, corporates, and investors, and is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). For 2025, a total of 634 million euros has been allocated to the EIC Accelerator to support deep tech innovations with potential to disrupt markets or create entirely new ones.
One of the key advantages of the Fast Track scheme is that companies face reduced competition by skipping the initial application stage. Applicants also benefit from expert evaluation, tailored feedback, and the chance to pitch to an EIC expert panel before entering the formal process. This provides a no-risk evaluation of the project idea and strengthens preparation for the Accelerator pitch.
To apply, companies must be established in an eligible country, be a single startup, SME, or small mid-cap, and have successfully completed or be close to completing a Eurostars-3 project. Applicants must demonstrate innovation based on Eurostars-3 outcomes, own or have rights to related intellectual property, and submit complete documentation.
The application process includes creating an account on the Eureka application portal, completing a detailed application form, and submitting a pitch deck. The best-scoring applicants are invited to pitch to EIC experts, where decisions are made on a GO or NO GO basis. A maximum of 20 companies will be granted access to the full EIC Accelerator proposal stage through this call.
Evaluation is based on excellence, novelty, breakthrough potential, technology readiness, competitiveness, market development, and broader societal, economic, environmental, or climate impact. Online pitching sessions are also assessed against the same criteria.
For more information, visit Eureka Network.
