Empowering Women-Led Companies: A Record-Breaking Milestone in the EIC Accelerator

The latest EIC Accelerator cut-off on 3 October has set a new record, with 32% of the 1211 full applications submitted by women-led companies (CEO, CTO, CSO). This is the highest percentage of female leadership since the European Innovation Council's launch under Horizon Europe on one hand and also a highest number of applications under Horizon Europe. In total, start-ups and SMEs requested €8.875 billion in funding. 

Next steps: Proposals are being evaluated, with top-ranked companies pitching to a jury in January 2025. 

New funding opportunities and deadlines for the EIC Accelerator will be announced in the 2025 EIC work programme, expected to be adopted by the end of October 2024. In the meantime, short applications—which provide access to the full application stage—can be submitted at any time.

More news to come!