Supporting deep-tech start-ups in Widening countries to strengthen technology, business and investment readiness before later EIC funding. This briefing highlights the opportunity at a practical level; the official topic conditions remain binding.
EIC Pre-accelerator – Widening
Supporting deep-tech start-ups in Widening countries to strengthen technology, business and investment readiness before later EIC funding.
Core intervention logic
- 1Validate the breakthroughAdvance technology and commercial readiness
- 2De-risk technologyStrengthen business models, market validation and investor preparedness
- 3Prove market potentialBuild a credible route towards scale-up and follow-on finance
- 4Prepare scale-up financeAdvance technology and commercial readiness
How the action works
Validate the breakthrough
A stronger pipeline of investment-ready deep-tech companies from Widening countries.
Who is it for?
Single deep-tech start-ups and SMEs established in Widening countries; Companies with breakthrough technology and scale-up ambition; Teams preparing for EIC Accelerator or other major investment. The strongest consortia will connect these capabilities around a clearly defined need rather than assemble partners only to satisfy formal eligibility.
What does the call support?
Advance technology and commercial readiness.
Strengthen business models, market validation and investor preparedness.
Build a credible route towards scale-up and follow-on finance.
What are the key requirements?
- Mono-beneficiary application by an eligible Widening-country entity
- A convincing deep-tech innovation with significant market potential
- Clear milestones for technology, business and investment progression
- Action type: Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
A competitive proposal must connect the topic’s expected outcomes to a focused intervention logic, credible partners, measurable results and a convincing route to uptake. Scope, eligibility and all special conditions should be checked against the official topic text before consortium commitments are made.
Timeline and next steps
The topic is scheduled to open on 4 May 2027 and the deadline is 18 November 2027. Prospective applicants should use the preparation period to confirm fit, shape the core concept, identify the capabilities required and build the work plan around the expected outcomes.
EXELIXIS can support call interpretation, concept positioning, consortium architecture, proposal development, impact pathways and coordination of partner contributions.
Official sources
This briefing is an original summary prepared from official EU sources. It is provided for orientation and does not replace the binding call text, General Annexes or Funding & Tenders Portal conditions.