Deep-tech startups in Europe's less-developed regions face a familiar challenge: brilliant innovations trapped by funding gaps and limited access to scaling support. While their counterparts in established tech hubs navigate well-established pathways to growth, deep-tech entrepreneurs in “widening countries” (EU member states with lower Research and Innovation performance) often struggle to bridge the critical gap between prototype and market-ready solution.

The good news? The European Innovation Council (EIC) has recognised this disparity and launched a groundbreaking solution.

The EIC Pre-Accelerator, a breakthrough pilot programme funded jointly by the EIC and WIDERA under Horizon Europe, is specifically designed to level the playing field for deep-tech innovators across Europe's widening regions.

What Is the EIC Pre-Accelerator?

The EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a strategic pilot call under the WIDERA (Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area) Work Programme 2025. This is a targeted intervention designed to boost the business, investor, and technology readiness of early-stage deep-tech startups.

The programme's core mission is clear: advance promising deep-tech innovations from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 6, positioning them for successful market entry and investment attraction. Think of it as the missing link between early-stage research and readiness for funding.

Who Can Apply?

The EIC Pre-Accelerator has focused eligibility criteria to ensure maximum impact:

Geographic Requirements:

• Single-entity SMEs based in widening countries (EU member states or Horizon Europe associated countries with historically lower R&D participation rates).
• This includes nations where innovation ecosystems are still developing but hold tremendous untapped potential.
• Member states include Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
• Associated countries include Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Faroe Island, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Innovation Requirements:

• Deep-tech innovations spanning physical, biological, or digital domains.
• Minimum Technology Readiness Level of 4 (technology validated in lab environment).
• High-impact potential with clear market-transforming capabilities.

Business Readiness Requirements:

• Ownership of necessary intellectual property ensuring freedom to operate.
• Well-defined path to market with concrete milestones and verifiable KPIs.
• Demonstrated ambition and capability to scale beyond regional markets.

What's on Offer

The EIC Pre-Accelerator delivers comprehensive support that goes far beyond traditional grants. With a €20 million budget to be allocated across all successful applications,

Financial Support:

• Grant funding between €300,000 and €500,000 as a lump sum payment.
• Covers up to 70% of eligible project costs.
• Requires 30% co-financing from the applicant.
• This funding can be used for projects of up to 24 months.

Beyond the Money:

• Tailored coaching programmes addressing specific startup challenges.
• Intensive bootcamps focused on scaling and commercialisation.
• Investor readiness training preparing startups for funding rounds.
• Strategic networking opportunities connecting innovators with potential partners and customers.
• Access to comprehensive Business Acceleration Services (BAS).

The Fast-Track Advantage: Perhaps most significantly, successful participants gain seamless access to the prestigious EIC Accelerator, typically one of Europe's most competitive funding programmes.

Even strong applications that don't receive funding can earn a "Seal of Excellence" with continued BAS access. A Seal of Excellence communicates to other funding sources that the project was deemed excellent by Horizon Europe’s stringent evaluation criteria.

Timeline & Application Process

The application process has been streamlined for efficiency while maintaining rigorous standards:

Key Deadline: 18 November 2025.

Application Route: Submit through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal in a single-stage process (a 22 page proposal).

Evaluation Process: Three independent expert panels will assess applications.

Results are expected in February 2026.

Why This Programme Matters

Horizon Europe’s innovation funding has concentrated in established hubs, creating a self-reinforcing cycle where successful regions attract more resources. This programme deliberately redirects attention and funding to underrepresented regions with significant untapped potential. The EIC Pre-Accelerator recognises that breakthrough innovations can emerge anywhere, ensuring geography doesn't determine a startup's access to the support needed for success.

The name “Pre-Accelerator” indicates a primary benefit of the programme: supporting companies transitioning from lab to the relevant environment. Deep-tech startups often struggle in the transition to a working prototype. The programme specifically targets this TRL 4-6 gap where many promising innovations stall due to insufficient support, enabling them to access more funding later to get to market readiness.

Rather than offering isolated funding, the programme creates clear progression routes to larger funding opportunities, including the EIC Accelerator and private investment markets.

Your Next Steps

If you're leading a deep-tech startup in a widening country, the EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a potentially transformational opportunity. However, with a single application deadline and competitive selection process, preparation is crucial.

We strongly encourage eligible startups to begin preparation immediately. The funding, combined with strategic coaching and fast-track EIC Accelerator access, could accelerate your innovation journey by years rather than months.

Need expert guidance navigating the EIC Pre-Accelerator application process? Our team specialises in helping deep-tech startups access European innovation funding. Contact us to discuss how we can strengthen your application and maximise your chances of success.