- January 30, 2023
- Posted by: EBAN Team
- Category: News, Uncategorized
2022 was a milestone year for the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, with the announcement of its first 71 investment decisions. The EIC Accelerator, which is part of the fund, also saw continued high demand for blended finance in 2023.
The EIC Fund, which is managed by the European Commission, provides funding and support for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research projects. In 2022, the fund made its first investment decisions, allocating €1.3 billion to companies and research projects across Europe. The investments were focused on areas such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and clean energy.
Part of the EIC Fund, the EIC Accelerator also saw high demand in 2023. The program provides funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities to SMEs and start-ups with innovative ideas. In addition, it also offers blended finance, which combines funding from the public and private sectors to support the development of new technologies and products.
According to the European Commission, the EIC Accelerator has received over 4,000 applications since its launch in 2018, with an acceptance rate of around 5%. This high demand for blended finance is a sign of the growing interest in the program and the need for support for innovative SMEs and start-ups.
Overall, the EIC Fund and Accelerator are playing a crucial role in supporting innovation and growth in Europe. The successful investment decisions in 2022 and continued high demand for blended finance in 2023 demonstrate the need for and impact of this type of support for SMEs and research projects.
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