H2020-SME-Instrument program

What they do

The H2020 SME Instrument (now EIC Accelerator) is the European Union's primary vehicle for supporting top-tier innovators, entrepreneurs, and small companies with funding opportunities and acceleration services. Managed by the executive agency EISMEA, it targets "non-bankable" companies-those with high-risk, deep-tech innovations that are too early or capital-intensive for private investors alone. The current EIC Accelerator employs a "blended finance" model, combining substantial grants with direct equity investments managed by the EIC Fund, making the European Commission one of the largest deep-tech investors in Europe.

What they look for

To support high-risk, high-impact "Deep Tech" innovations that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones but are too capital-intensive or risky for private investors to fund alone (the "market failure" or "non-bankable" thesis). Key criteria include Deep Tech (scientific or technological breakthroughs), High Risk (project must be considered "non-bankable"), and EU Strategic Autonomy (focus on areas like AI, Quantum, Space, Green Deal, Health). They avoid incremental innovations, "me-too" products, and companies that can easily raise sufficient capital from private VCs.

Stage

Seed, Series A, Series B+

Sectors

Climate, Healthcare, AI, Deeptech

Based

Brussels, BE