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  The Access2EIC project, in collaboration with EuroQuity-Bpifrance, is pleased to invite eligible EIC Transition beneficiaries to apply for two exclusive pitching opportunities with leading European investors. These events are designed to help innovative startups and SMEs showcase their technologies, expand their investor network, and explore funding opportunities to support their growth and market deployment. Upcoming Pitching Opportunities Online Pitching Session for HealthTech, MedTech and BioTech Companies 📅 7 October 2026, 15:00 CEST This online pitching session is dedicated to innovative companies developing solutions in the HealthTech, MedTech and BioTech sectors. Selected participants will have the opportunity to present their…

The new Access2eic Annotated Proposal Template for EIC Transition 2026 has been published, providing applicants with comprehensive guidance for preparing high-quality proposals under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition programme. The document offers detailed explanations and practical recommendations for every section of the proposal, helping applicants better understand the evaluation criteria and develop stronger project narratives. Covering topics from technological excellence and innovation potential to business validation and implementation, the guide supports applicants in transforming promising research results into market-ready innovations. This publication is the result of the collaborative work carried out within the Access2EIC project by the European network…

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has selected EQT as the investment adviser and fund manager for the new €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund, a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem. As part of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Fund will support high-potential deep-tech scaleups by providing crucial growth capital and helping to bridge the late-stage financing gap that often drives companies to seek funding outside Europe. Targeting strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, space, and biotech, the Fund is set to play a key role in reinforcing Europe’s global technological leadership. The…

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is seeking highly qualified defence experts to support upcoming proposal evaluations through short‑term assignments. Areas of Expertise Sought The EIC is looking for experts with proven experience in defence technologies, including: ·       Air and missile defence ·       Artillery and precision strike systems ·       Missiles and ammunition ·       Drones and counter‑drone technologies ·       Strategic enablers ·       Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare ·       Military mobility ·       Ground combat systems ·       Maritime defence ·       Air combat systems ·       Medical defence and countermeasures In addition, financial expertise and/or venture capital experience, particularly related to defence innovation, is highly valued. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must…

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has released the EIC Tech Report 2026, identifying 25 emerging deep‑tech signals that could play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s future innovation landscape and strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy. Published on 30 March 2026, the report analyses trends drawn from EIC‑supported projects and high‑quality proposals between 2021 and 2025.  Three Strategic Domains Driving Europe’s Innovation Future The 25 signals span technologies with the potential to enhance competitiveness and resilience across three key domains aligned with the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP): Digital & Space Technologies, including advanced semiconductor materials, secure and distributed AI…

This updated edition is a practical, in‑depth guide designed to help applicants prepare high‑quality proposals for the 2026 EIC Pathfinder Open call. Developed by experienced National Contact Points across Europe, the document provides detailed annotations to the official proposal template, clarifying expectations and offering concrete guidance based on evaluator feedback and hands‑on experience with previous calls. The annotated template supports applicants in understanding how to effectively present: the long‑term scientific vision and ambition, the science‑towards‑technology breakthrough, project objectives and methodology, the interdisciplinary approach, expected impacts, and the quality of the implementation, including work plan and consortium roles. The 2026 edition…

The updated Annotated Template for the EIC Accelerator Full Proposal 2026 has officially been released, offering innovators, start‑ups and SMEs a clearer, more structured and comprehensive guide to prepare one of Europe’s most competitive applications for deep tech funding. Developed within the Access2EIC framework, the new edition incorporates insights from NCPs, evaluators, and past applicants, making it an essential resource for anyone about to submit a Full Proposal under the EIC Accelerator. Published in February 2026, this version aligns with the latest Horizon Europe Work Programme and addresses the evolving expectations of evaluators—particularly around scientific robustness, market validation, and investment…

The Access2EIC network is pleased to announce the publication of the Annotated Template for the EIC Accelerator Short Proposal (2026 edition), now available to National Contact Points (NCPs), applicants, and innovation stakeholders across Europe. This new resource, developed thanks to the collaborative effort of Access2EIC partners, provides a comprehensive and practical guide to support the preparation of high‑quality short proposals under the EIC Accelerator. The document includes detailed annotations based on the experience and feedback gathered within the NCP community, reflecting insights from multiple organisations that contributed to its creation. The collaborative work has been essential to ensure the clarity,…