EIC selects 38 start ups and SMEs for Accelerator support in June 2026 round
- ›The European Innovation Council selected 38 start ups and SMEs for funding in the latest Accelerator round.
- ›Proposed grant support totals about €90 million with 84 percent of beneficiaries eligible for blended finance.
- ›The EIC Fund may provide equity and a further €202 million is provisioned for potential equity investments.
- ›Selected companies represent 16 EU and associated countries with concentrations in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.
- ›95 additional proposals above threshold will receive a Seal of Excellence and 12 STEP Seal recognitions were issued for STEP challenge applicants.
EIC picks 38 innovators in latest Accelerator round as grants and equity are lined up
On 15 June 2026 the European Innovation Council and the Managing Agency announced that 38 start ups and small and medium sized enterprises have been selected for support following the most recent EIC Accelerator evaluation round. The cohort was chosen from 87 proposals that reached the interview stage. The Commission proposes about €90 million in grant support for the selected companies. Most of the beneficiaries are eligible for blended finance, which pairs grants with equity from the EIC Fund.
What was awarded and how the money is structured
The press release describes a mixed package of grant and equity support. The grant component on offer to the 38 selected companies is reported at approximately €90 million. The EIC said 84 percent of beneficiaries are eligible for blended finance, while others will receive grant only or equity only support. The announcement also notes that a further amount of about €202 million is provisioned for potential equity investments managed by the EIC Fund.
| Metric | Value / note |
| Companies selected | 38 |
| Proposals reaching interview stage | 87 |
| Proposed grant funding | €90 million |
| Provisioned equity investments | €202 million |
| Percentage eligible for blended finance | 84% |
| Countries represented | 16 EU and associated countries |
| Top origin countries | France, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Women in leadership among selected companies | 21% in key roles such as CEO, CTO or CSO |
Representative technologies in this cohort
The EIC highlighted a number of recipients and their technologies to illustrate the types of deep tech it is backing. These examples span agri biotech, batteries, robotics, ultra low latency wireless, and carbon removal approaches. A selection of projects named in the release are listed below.
| Company | Project / technology | Short description | Country |
| Amatera Biosciences | CellTera | Automated platform for single cell regeneration and early screening to accelerate crop genetics | France |
| BTRY | BTRY | Industrialisation of an energy dense solid state battery that can be charged in one minute | Switzerland |
| Cognirobotics | HKM1800 | Cooperative hybrid kinematic robots for logistics and manufacturing | Sweden |
| Microamp Solutions | Microamp Any-G | Wireless platform aimed at ultra high speed and zero latency connectivity | Poland |
| Planeteers | React Carbon | Reactor based enhanced rock weathering system with measurement and verification for carbon capture | Germany |
Key programme and governance features explained
Who the winners are and diversity signals
The selected companies come from 16 EU and associated countries. The announcement names France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland as the countries with the largest number of winners in this round. The EIC reported that 21 percent of the cohort are led by women in senior technical or executive roles such as CEO, CTO or CSO. That figure is notable but still leaves a large gender gap across the cohort. The release does not provide a full breakdown by sector or stage for the 38 companies.
Process, next steps and practical caveats
According to the EIC the grant agreements for most selected companies are expected to be finalised within about three months. Equity investments will follow after further due diligence and negotiation in line with each company's growth plan and funding needs. The EIC emphasises that equity decisions are made by the EIC Fund and that the Fund frequently secures additional co investment from private investors alongside its own participation.
Funding totals and portfolio context
| Category | Amount or metric | Notes |
| Proposed grant funding in this round | €90 million | As reported by the EIC. This sum refers to grants only. |
| Provisioned equity for potential use | €202 million | Amount earmarked for potential equity investments linked to this round and other activities. |
| Typical Accelerator grant ceiling | Up to €2.5 million | Standard maximum for EIC Accelerator grants. |
| EIC Fund equity typical range | €1 million to €10 million | Under the Accelerator. STEP offers larger equity up to €30 million. |
| EIC Fund leverage claim | 3x or more in many cases | EIC says its equity often mobilises three or more euros from private investors. Real leverage varies by deal. |
What this means for Europe and the deep tech ecosystem
The EIC remains one of Europe’s most visible instruments to support deep tech companies at the risky transition to scale. The combination of grants and an equity vehicle aims to reduce financing gaps. The EIC also leverages non financial support through its Business Acceleration Services and networks including the Trusted Investor Network.
But there are persistent challenges. A selection of 38 companies is small relative to the demand from European deep tech firms. Many promising companies that clear evaluation barriers receive a Seal of Excellence rather than funding because of budget constraints. The geographic concentration of winners in a few countries suggests that local ecosystems, investor networks, and company formation pipelines continue to shape who reaches the final stages. Gender representation remains limited. Finally, conversion from selection to signed equity deal can be protracted and outcomes are subject to market conditions.
Takeaways for founders and investors
Founders should treat an EIC selection as an important validation step but not an immediate cash event. They must be prepared for due diligence, negotiations on equity terms, and for leveraging EIC services to attract follow on financing. Investors should view the EIC as an ecosystem builder that can de risk early rounds and provide signal value. But investors must still perform their own independent commercial and technical assessments.
Where to find more information
The EIC publishes the list of selected companies and background material on its website. Applicants and interested parties can follow the Accelerator calendar on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal for batch dates and application guidance. The EIC Fund and EISMEA provide further details on investment guidelines and Business Acceleration Services on their respective pages.