EIC Pre-Accelerator supports 70 early-stage deep tech companies from Widening Countries

The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) has published the results of the 2025 EIC Pre-Accelerator call. The EIC Pre-Accelerator aims to boost the capacity of SMEs and start-ups to successfully apply for EIC Accelerator funding, attract private investment, and access national or regional support schemes, including Seal of Excellence programmes. The programme is designed to unlock the innovation potential of early-stage deep-tech companies in Widening Countries. The call is a joint initiative between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) programme and is funded under the WIDERA Work Programme 2025. 

In total, 70 companies from Widening Countries, Associated Countries and Outermost Regions were selected for funding under the 2025 call and will receive around €32.5 million in EU funding, with up to €500,000 awarded per company. They represent 22 countries, with Portugal, Estonia and Turkey recording the highest number of successful proposals. Notably, 24% of the selected projects are coordinated by women.

In addition, 320 high-quality applications that could not be funded due to budget constraints will be awarded Seals of Excellence, in order to help them access alternative or complementary EU and national funding sources.

The next EIC Pre-Accelerator call is planned in the WIDERA work programme 2026-2027 for 2027, with a budget of €40 million budget. Funding per company will be raised to €1 million, and the companies will be invited to apply by November 2027.

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70 companies selected for funding under the EIC Pre-Accelerator