Library FAQ
What technical elements are required to implement Zero Trust AI architectures?
Key elements include coordinated chip–software co-design for immutability, advanced key management and signature schemes, quantum-robust encryption, interoperability across heterogeneous security technologies, system software, protocols, orchestration layers,...
Can you give an example of a corporate partnership facilitated by the EIC?
At Galp’s Lisbon Headquarters the EIC hosted 15 EIC-funded start-ups and scaleups from 11 countries, connecting them with decision-makers and aligning innovations (e.g., hydrogen and energy storage) with Galp’s decarbonisation goals.
How did SunOyster Systems benefit from EIC support?
With EIC support SunOyster presented at the Galp Innovation Day, which helped them survive the 'valley of death' and engage with a large corporate to advance their lightweight solar modules.
How does the EIC support women innovators?
The EIC prioritises women CEOs for Accelerator interviews and runs dedicated initiatives like Women TechEU and the Women Leadership Programme. In 2024, 30% (42 companies) of EIC Accelerator recipients were women-led; the overall portfolio includes 134 women-le...
How many EIC Transition projects have been funded under Horizon Europe?
183 projects have been funded to date under Horizon Europe, with the majority involving a commercial partner.
How much has the EIC invested in advanced manufacturing and materials projects?
The EIC has provided EUR 500 million to support over 90 projects in advanced manufacturing and materials under Horizon Europe.
What are Ecosystem Partnerships and EIC internationalisation services?
Ecosystem Partnerships link beneficiaries to incubation, acceleration and scale-up services with sector insights; internationalisation services bring innovators to trade fairs inside and outside Europe and offer soft-landing support in the United States.
What are key outcomes achieved through Transition activities?
Over 1,000 companies and projects matched to corporates, procurers and investors; 230 concluded deals with investors/corporates/procurers/partners; nearly 400 jobs created; and EUR 362 million of investment raised through investor outreach.
What did independent analysis find about a subset of Transition projects?
Analysis of 103 projects (including 13 Horizon 2020 pilots) identified 276 innovations with over 75% market-creating or targeting emerging markets; nearly half originate from ERC Proof of Concept projects; 19 start-ups established or in process; over 100 paten...
What does the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme do?
It assists companies in participating in pre-commercial procurement exercises (e.g., hospital buyer groups), helping accelerate R&D, refine solutions such as AI-driven analytics, expand internationally and form strategic partnerships.
What do the EIC Business Acceleration Services do?
They connect portfolio companies and researchers with corporates, investors, buyers, accelerators, venture builders and other partners to facilitate growth and market access.
What funding and support does EIC Pathfinder provide to projects?
EIC Pathfinder offers grants of up to EUR 3–4 million for trans-national collaborative projects and provides access to coaching, mentoring and networking, with possible follow-up via EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator.
What is EIC Transition and how much funding does it provide?
Introduced under Horizon Europe, EIC Transition provides up to EUR 2.5 million to help researchers, spinouts and SMEs exploit research results, demonstrate and mature technologies, and develop business plans for commercialisation.
What is Tech2Market?
Tech2Market helps researchers and innovators from EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects move from lab to market, offering services that include entrepreneurship and venture building.
What is the EIC co-investment support programme?
It helps EIC beneficiaries become investor ready and access investors through pitching events, maintaining a database of more than 800 investors including VCs and business angels.
What is the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme?
The programme connects EIC-funded innovators with large corporates to collaborate on new business models and opportunities; beneficiaries gain scale, resources, sales channels and connections while corporates identify emerging technologies.
What is the EIC Pathfinder and how many projects has it supported?
The EIC Pathfinder supports high-risk, high-impact early-stage research at low TRLs and has supported 402 inter- and transdisciplinary projects under Horizon Europe (2021–24).
What is the EIC Scaling Club?
Launched in 2024, the EIC Scaling Club is a curated community providing scale-up support to 120 deep-tech companies from the EIC portfolio and beyond to help them grow into European tech champions.
What is the size of the EIC portfolio and funding since 2021?
Since the start of Horizon Europe in 2021 the EIC has provided over EUR 6 billion in support across 402 Pathfinder projects, 183 Transition projects, and 706 start-ups and SMEs under the EIC Accelerator.
What is the Trusted Investors Network (TIN)?
Launched in 2024, the Trusted Investors Network (TIN) supports deep tech innovation and has a pool of over EUR 100 billion in assets under management to help Europe’s companies scale and reach new markets.
What outcomes have EIC Pathfinder projects produced according to independent analysis?
Analysis of completed projects shows 300 completed research projects generated over 1,100 innovations; over 75% are market-creating or target emerging markets; 88 start-ups established or in process; nearly 400 patents registered; 24% of innovations have clear...
How does the collaboration promote women entrepreneurs?
Through EIT access to the EIC Women Leadership Programme and joint women innovators prizes, and continued collaborative promotion of women entrepreneurs.
How will the process for identifying EIC Challenges be improved?
By using new evidence from sources such as the Joint Research Centre and financed studies, and from analysis of emerging trends in EIC funding and third-party sources, including the EIC emerging technology report.
What are EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS)?
Support services for EIC Awardees and other eligible organisations to aid commercialisation and scaling, including access to coaches, training via EIC Ecosystem Partners, and access to global partners.