How EIC ACCESS+ links EIC awardees to the French innovation ecosystem and co-funded services
- ›Replay available for EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #6 which introduced French EIC partners and how to access co-funded services.
- ›EIC ACCESS+ offers up to EUR 60 000 per beneficiary covering up to 50 percent of service costs to use providers listed in the EIC Service Catalogue.
- ›The open call runs until 31 May 2026 with a total budget of approximately EUR 3.45 million and aims to support about 180 companies on a first-come, first-served basis.
- ›Session featured French partners across IP, infrastructure, incubation, fundraising and matchmaking and a beneficiary case from InSpek.
- ›Applicants must be EIC Awardees or Seal of Excellence holders, registered in an EU or associated country, and complete services within the programme deadlines.
EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #6 and the French innovation ecosystem
On 17 June 2025 the EIC ACCESS+ programme ran Info Session number six focused on opportunities available through French EIC Partners and on how EIC-backed innovators can access co-funded services. The session is now available for replay and walks prospective applicants through the EIC Service Catalogue, the ACCESS+ open call mechanics, matchmaking possibilities and practical next steps. The event illustrated the types of services that established French organisations are offering to EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders and included a beneficiary testimonial from InSpek.
What the session covered
The webinar combined a guided tour of the EIC Service Catalogue with short presentations from French partners that have been listed as EIC Service Providers. Presenters explained how their services support scaling, internationalisation, access to specialised infrastructure, IP work and fundraising. The session also included practical guidance on the EIC ACCESS+ open call that reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible service costs with a cap of EUR 60 000 per beneficiary.
Featured speakers and areas of support
Speakers represented players across the Paris and wider French innovation ecosystem. Each offered services that are typical of what the EIC Service Catalogue aims to aggregate for deep-tech ventures.
| Speaker | Organisation | Service focus | Approx. timestamp in recording |
| Stéphanie Tea | Paris-Saclay Development Authority | Access to infrastructure, R&D support, matchmaking, internationalisation | 13:03 |
| Athanassios Papazoglou | European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) | Access to infrastructure and advanced R&D support using synchrotron X-rays | 18:15 |
| Sophie Champagne | ESA BIC Sud France at Aerospace Valley | Acceleration, incubation and venture building | 22:10 |
| Caroline Sai | Angels Santé and European Health Investor Network | Fundraising support, coaching and mentoring for health startups | 24:00 |
| Ghislain Demonda | A.P.I. Conseil | Intellectual property and IP due diligence | 26:32 |
| Jérôme Michon | InSpek, CEO and co-founder | Beneficiary testimonial on accessing IP services via ACCESS+ co-funding | presented during session |
| Camille Pellouquin | Atlanpole | Acceleration, incubation, matchmaking, HR and talent support | 31:00 |
| Olivier Boura | Beau de Loménie | IP and legal services for innovators | 32:25 |
What EIC ACCESS+ offers and how it is structured
EIC ACCESS+ is implemented by the EIC Business Acceleration Services to reduce a common bottleneck for deep-tech innovators. The programme offers partial financial support to access specialised services listed in the EIC Service Catalogue. The call opened in November 2024 and runs until 31 May 2026. The stated total envelope for this continuous open call is about €3.45 million and the project intends to support around 180 companies on a first-come, first-served basis following eligibility checks.
| Package | Main activities covered | Maximum grant per beneficiary |
| Research | Access to infrastructure, R&D support, prototyping and proof of concept | Up to EUR 60 000 |
| Business acceleration | Acceleration, incubation, venture building, business planning, matchmaking, internationalisation | Up to EUR 30 000 |
| Access to funds and IP | IP and legal services, due diligence, fundraising support | Up to EUR 30 000 |
| Skills improvement | Coaching, mentoring, HR and talent support | Up to EUR 10 000 |
Who is eligible and key administrative rules
How to apply in practice
Practical steps that applicants must follow are repeated across EIC communications and the ACCESS+ materials. They consist of preparing documentation, identifying and selecting a provider listed in the EIC Service Catalogue, joining the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub, and submitting the application form through the community hub. Approved projects sign a Financial Support to Third Party Agreement which governs the grant disbursement and obligations.
Practical example and testimonial
During the session Jérôme Michon, CEO and co-founder of InSpek, described how his company accessed IP support from A.P.I. Conseil using ACCESS+ co-funding. The session used this concrete case to show how a targeted, co-funded intervention can address a specific business need such as IP due diligence and patent support. Testimonials like this serve as useful reference points but they do not replace detailed due diligence when selecting providers.
Context and what to watch for
EIC ACCESS+ sits within a broader EIC Business Acceleration Services strategy that aims to complement grant and equity instruments with operational support. The EIC BAS ecosystem claims hundreds of partners and significant outreach metrics which indicate high engagement between EIC awardees and corporates, investors and buyers. That said practical limits matter for applicants. The first-come, first-served allocation and cohort assessments can advantage organisations that are already plugged into the EIC community or those with administrative capacity to apply quickly. The co-funding model also leaves beneficiaries with cash to find for the remaining 50 percent which in some cases can be material for early stage deep-tech companies.
Resources and next steps
If you are eligible and interested the immediate practical steps are to watch the replay of Info Session #6 for the French ecosystem focus, consult the ACCESS+ open call documentation, identify relevant services in the EIC Service Catalogue, and join the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub to submit an application. The ACCESS+ helpdesk and contact point provided in EIC materials is info@eicaccessplus.eu. The ACCESS+ open call remains open until 31 May 2026 subject to the programme rules and funding availability.