EIC Business Acceleration Services and Ecosystem Overview
The European Innovation Council (EIC) provides a spectrum of support services aimed at enhancing the innovation capacity and commercialization potential of EIC Awardees. These services are crucial for the growth and scaling of innovations supported by the EIC.
Model Grant Agreements and Contracts
Model grant agreements and contracts can be accessed through the EU Funding and Tenders portal. This resource is essential for understanding the legal and contractual frameworks governing EIC funding.
EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS)
The EIC BAS is designed specifically for EIC Awardees and eligible organizations, as outlined in Section VI of the EIC guidelines. The services aim to facilitate the innovation development process and include:
- Access to experienced business coaches who provide strategic insights.
- Training programs that enhance entrepreneurial skills.
- Connections to EIC Ecosystem Partners who offer various support services.
- Opportunities to engage with global partners, including leading corporates, investors, procurers, distributors, and clients.
For a detailed overview, see Section V of the guidelines.
EIC Business Coaches
EIC business coaches are independent experts with a rich background in entrepreneurship and investment. Their role within the BAS is to deliver business development insights that help EIC Awardees navigate their commercialization journeys. Their experience is pivotal in identifying growth opportunities and mitigating risks in innovation development.
EIC Community Platform
The EIC Community Platform serves as a virtual hub for all EIC Awardees and recipients of EIC Seals of Excellence, including EIC Pre-accelerator Seals of Excellence and EIC Sovereignty (STEP) Seals. This platform fosters:
- Access to Business Acceleration Services.
- Facilitated discussions and exchanges among peers.
- Opportunities for matchmaking with key ecosystem actors.
Participants, including inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs, alongside corporates, investors, and various innovation facilitators, can leverage this platform for collaborative innovation efforts.
EIC Ecosystem Partners
EIC Ecosystem Partners comprise a network of selected organizations that provide Business Acceleration Services and other forms of support to EIC Awardees. This diverse group includes:
- Investors and business angels
- Mentors and coaches
- Innovation agencies and business associations
- Clusters, accelerators, and incubators
- Technology transfer offices
- Venture builders
Moreover, they may include members from Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the Enterprise Europe Network, Startup Europe, and the European IP Helpdesk.
EIC Expert Evaluators
The assessment of proposals for funding is conducted by EIC Expert Evaluators, who are independent experts recognized in their respective fields. These evaluators are crucial to ensuring that proposals meet the stringent criteria established in the Work Programme. They are selected from the EU Funding & Tenders portal Expert Database, guaranteeing a high