EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #8: How climate tech innovators can access up to €60,000 in co-funded specialised support
- ›The EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #8 (16 September 2025) explained how EIC-backed climate tech companies can apply for up to €60,000 in co-funding to buy specialist services from the EIC Service Catalogue.
- ›Grants cover up to 50% of service costs with a total ACCESS+ budget of €3.45 million and an expected 180 beneficiary companies on a first-come, first-served basis.
- ›Eligible applicants are EIC Awardees from Pathfinder, Transition or Accelerator strands and Seal of Excellence holders registered in EU or Associated Countries.
- ›Services must be delivered by vetted EIC Partners and completed by 30 June 2026, creating a tight timeline for some service packages.
- ›The session showcased climate-focused partners including Inveniam, Belayer, Nordic Innovators Corporate Finance, Unknown Group, Brand Creatives and Global Business Inroads.
EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #8: Practical help for climate tech innovators
On 16 September 2025 the EIC ACCESS+ programme held Info Session number eight focused on supporting climate tech companies that have received EIC funding or a Seal of Excellence. The webinar is available for replay on the EIC Community YouTube channel and walked participants through how to use the EIC Service Catalogue and how to access co-funding of up to EUR 60 000 to buy specialised services from vetted providers.
Why ACCESS+ matters and how it fits inside the EIC ecosystem
EIC ACCESS+ is a co-funding scheme run under the EIC Business Acceleration Services and the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme. Its stated aim is to help deep-tech startups overcome common non-technical barriers to scale. Those barriers typically include access to specialised infrastructure, legal and IP expertise, market-entry support, and investor readiness. The initiative does not provide direct technology grants but subsidises external business and technical services listed in the EIC Service Catalogue.
Context matters. The EIC Business Acceleration Services already offer coaching, matchmaking and other support to EIC awardees. ACCESS+ is intended to plug gaps where innovators need sector-specific suppliers or facilities. That said the programme has finite resources and operational constraints that influence who benefits and how quickly.
What the Info Session covered
The webinar combined an overview of the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme with short presentations by EIC Partners that offer climate-relevant services. It also offered practical application guidance, a demonstration of matchmaking options through the Community Hub, and an invitation to one-on-one meetings with providers.
Speakers and partner highlights
Presentations focused on services relevant to scaling climate technologies. Speakers and their featured service areas included:
| Speaker / Organisation | Primary service areas highlighted | Sector focus and role |
| Eric Suñol, Inveniam | Intellectual property, legal support, business planning | Boutique consulting across life sciences and sustainability |
| Máire P. Walsh, Belayer | Acceleration, incubation, venture building, US market entry | Silicon Valley growth and market-access advisory |
| Jan Rezek, Nordic Innovators Corporate Finance | Fundraising and investor readiness | Capital raising and financial advisory for growth-stage tech |
| Alessio Caracci, Unknown Group | Internationalisation and support for fundraising | Venture building, infrastructure and entrepreneurial education |
| Nathalie Dionne, Brand Creatives | Internationalisation, prototyping and proof of concept | Design-led market entry and eco-innovation support |
| Shradha Ganeriwal, Global Business Inroads | Internationalisation and market access | Market entry and business development services |
Session participants could request one-on-one meetings to discuss bespoke needs with these providers. That is useful because many climate tech companies require tailored support rather than off-the-shelf consulting.
Key features of the EIC ACCESS+ open call
The ACCESS+ open call launched in November 2024 and remains open until 31 May 2026. The programme has a total funding envelope of approximately €3.45 million and is expected to support up to 180 companies. Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible service costs, with a maximum cumulative grant of EUR 60 000 per beneficiary.
| Package | Maximum grant per beneficiary | Examples of covered services |
| Research | Up to €60,000 | Access to infrastructure, R&D support, prototyping, proof of concept |
| Skills improvement | Up to €10,000 | Coaching, mentoring, HR and talent support |
| Business acceleration | Up to €30,000 | Acceleration, incubation, venture building, business planning, matchmaking, internationalisation |
| Access to funds | Up to €30,000 | IP and legal, due diligence, fundraising support |
Application, selection and payment mechanics
Applications are submitted through the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub. After submission an electronic time stamp is assigned and applications are evaluated in cohorts. The ACCESS+ team processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis with cohort assessments occurring on a weekly or biweekly rhythm. Successful applicants must sign a Financial Support to Third Parties agreement that specifies deliverables and payment schedules.
Practical and strategic caveats to consider
ACCESS+ offers a pragmatic channel to buy specialised services with part of the cost covered. That said the scheme has operational constraints that applicants need to weigh before applying. The most important are budget limits, delivery deadlines and the allocation model.
How to proceed if you are interested
Practical next steps for interested teams include registering on the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub, choosing a provider from the EIC Service Catalogue, preparing the required documents listed on the ACCESS+ site and submitting the online application form. The EIC provides a short video guide on applying and keeps an FAQ and helpdesk to assist applicants.
What to watch for next
Key dates include the ACCESS+ application deadline of 31 May 2026 and the service completion cutoff of 30 June 2026. The EIC BAS newsletter and the EIC Community Platform publish info sessions and recordings. For climate tech teams, the important practical decision is whether a targeted, time-bounded service bought through ACCESS+ will create measurable progress within the delivery window or whether a different funding or partnership route would be more suitable.
Bottom line
EIC ACCESS+ is a useful mechanism to reduce the cost of specialist services that climate tech startups commonly need. It can accelerate market entry, IP protection, prototyping and investor readiness when the required services are available in the EIC Service Catalogue and can be delivered within the prescribed timelines. Prospective applicants should be realistic about the programme s budgetary limits and the operational constraints imposed by the first-come, first-served allocation and the June 2026 completion deadline.