EIC Accelerator November cut-off draws 1,083 full applications, highest tally of 2023
- ›The EIC Accelerator received 1,083 full applications for the 8 November 2023 cut-off, the highest number in 2023.
- ›Demand for blended finance remains strong, with 61 percent of applicants requesting grants plus equity.
- ›Only 17 percent of proposals came from companies with female CEOs, and 14 percent originated in widening countries.
- ›Applicants come from 39 countries with the largest cohorts from Germany, France and Israel.
- ›Proposals are under evaluation and successful companies will pitch to a jury in January with decisions expected by end of February.
EIC Accelerator November cut-off draws 1,083 full applications, highest tally of 2023
The European Innovation Council received 1,083 full applications from start ups and small and medium sized enterprises for the EIC Accelerator with an 8 November 2023 cut off. The submission represents the largest number of full proposals to any Accelerator cut off this year. The short announcement published by the EIC highlights strong interest in blended finance and a broad international footprint among applicants.
| Metric | Value |
| Total full applications | 1,083 |
| Applicants requesting blended finance, grants plus equity | 666 (61%) |
| Applicants requesting grant only | 148 |
| Applicants requesting grant first with possible later equity | 269 |
| Share of proposals led by female CEOs | 17% |
| Number of countries represented | 39 |
| Top source countries | Germany, France, Israel |
| Share from widening countries | 14% |
What the raw figures mean for the ecosystem
A high number of full applications shows continued appetite among European and associated country deep tech founders for EIC support. The program combines non repayable grants with an equity instrument managed through the EIC Fund and associated partners. Demand for blended finance remains the dominant choice. At the same time the share of female led companies remains low by most diversity benchmarks, and participation from widening countries continues to lag.
Geography and diversity
Applicants came from 39 different countries. The highest numbers originated in Germany, France and Israel. The 17 percent share of proposals led by female CEOs confirms persistent gender imbalance in investment grade deep tech ventures. These patterns mirror long term trends in European venture funding where capital and deal flow concentrate in a handful of technology hubs and female founder representation remains low.
Selection steps and timetable
According to the EIC statement, submitted proposals are now being evaluated by independent experts. Companies that progress will be invited to pitch in front of a jury made up of investors and business experts in January. Final selection decisions are expected by the end of February. The process typically includes remote evaluation, a live pitch round and for proposals that include an investment component, due diligence that can involve the EIC Fund and its advisers.
| Milestone | Timing reported by EIC |
| Full application cut off | 8 November 2023 |
| Evaluation by independent experts | November to December 2023 |
| Pitching to jury | January 2024 |
| Selection decisions announced | Expected by end of February 2024 |
| Next EIC Work Programme adoption | Expected mid December 2023 |
Timing and next funding opportunities
The 8 November call was the last EIC Accelerator cut off in 2023. The EIC said that new funding opportunities will be announced in the 2024 EIC Work Programme which the Commission expected to adopt in mid December 2023. The work programme sets the year s calls, priorities and allocation of budget across instruments. For applicants the publication of the work programme is the signal to prepare for the next round and to review any changes in scope or evaluation criteria.
Implications and caveats
High application numbers are not the same as high success rates. EIC Accelerator is competitive and available funding is small compared with overall demand. The strong preference for blended finance signals that European startups value the combination of grant support and equity but this adds complexity to selection because grant and investment decisions follow distinct processes. The modest share of female led proposals and limited participation from widening countries underline enduring equity and geographic concentration challenges in the EU innovation ecosystem. Observers and applicants should treat headline submission counts as an early indicator of interest rather than a measure of impact.
For founders planning to apply, practical steps remain the same. Use available coaching and business acceleration services, consider asking for a business coach when moving from short to full proposal, and prepare for the jury pitch phase. For policymakers, the data provide further evidence that targeted measures are needed to widen participation and address systemic imbalances in access to capital and support.
Where to find official information
The European Innovation Council and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency publish official notices and the EIC Work Programme on their websites. Detailed procedural questions on evaluation, confidentiality and data handling are covered in EIC guidance and the agency s data protection notices.