European Innovation Council - SME Instrument

In June the EIC SME Instrument will become the “EIC accelerator”. Under the “accelerator” funding companies will be able to access blended financing (grants and equity) of up to €15 million. The Commission will appoint 15 to 20 innovation leaders to an EIC Advisory Board to oversee the EIC pilot, prepare the future EIC, and champion the EIC globally. Innovators from across the ecosystem are invited to come forward by 10 May.

The European Commission received 1765 proposals for the European Innovation Council pilot’s SME Instrument Phase 2 before the latest cut-off date on 3 April 2019. SMEs from 35 countries submitted proposals.

68 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form 19 countries have been selected for funding under the latest round of the European Innovation Council’s SME Instrument strand. Projects selected include a blockchain-based online payment technology, next generation loudspeakers, a quantum dot material technology for energy efficient screens and many others.

18 companies backed by the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot and working in the fields of electric mobility, connected transportation, and intelligent supply chains explore business opportunities with MAN Truck & Bus on 19 March in Munich.

The European Innovation Council(EIC) pilot in collaboration with Saint-Gobain is promoting a matchmaking event in Paris on 22-23 May. Companies funded by the EIC pilot and working in advanced materials and innovative manufacturing technologies are invited to pitch their business ideas and unlock growth opportunities. Applications are open until 7 April.

On 14 March, the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot and Orange promoted an exclusive matchmaking event. 16 companies funded by the EIC SME Instrument had the opportunity to pitch their business cases and meet with corporate representatives at the Orange Labs in Paris.