GRANT OPPORTUNITIES OF THE EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL "EIC ACCELERATOR" PROGRAM
Abstract
The purpose of the article is to study the goals, priorities and destinations of the European Innovation Council "EIC Accelerator" program, its grant opportunities, as well as the analysis of the features of the involvement of its financial instruments for Ukrainian innovation business. Research methodology. While researching this topic, we referred to regulatory and legal acts, competitive documentation of the "Horizon Europe" program under the direction of EIC Accelerator, as well as to the publications of scientists. Methods that were applied during the research: description, analysis, generalization, induction, deduction, explanation, classification, as well as systemic and functional, etc. The results. It was concluded that Ukrainian startups and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, having successfully used the grant opportunities of the program, will receive, in addition to grant resources, the benefit of individual coaching, mentoring, training and access to the innovation ecosystem and analogues. Scientific novelty. Demonstrated: a feature of the EIC Accelerator program is that its financial instruments have the following forms: "grant only", "first grant", "investment-grant financing", "investment only". A number of eligibility criteria are given, which, according to the researchers, significantly limit the range of potential grant recipients: the technology readiness level of the applicant's organization must be at least fifth; applicants must have an innovative product, service or business model that is capable of changing the rules of the game, creating new markets in Europe and even around the world; applicants must have the ambition and drive to scale and expand, and need significant funding. Practical significance. It is emphasized that the financial resources of the program are recognized in the European Union as effective tools for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which will help entrepreneurs implement breakthrough innovations, gain access to equity capital, and develop innovative startups. The article analyzes the goals and priorities of the EIC Accelerator program. Opportunities for Ukrainian startups, small and medium-sized enterprises are outlined, namely: access to grant and grant-investment support for development and entry into new markets. It is emphasized that the grant tools of the EIC Accelerator program are open to Ukrainian startups and SMEs under two types of challenges: EIC Accelerator Challenges and EIC Accelerator Open. It is emphasized that the priority topics of the EIC Accelerator Challenges in 2023 are: new biomarker-based assays for personalized cancer treatment; aerosol and surface decontamination for pandemic control; energy storage; the new European Bauhaus and the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector digitization for decarbonisation; new semiconductor or quantum technology components; new technologies for sustainable agriculture; customer-oriented innovative space technologies and services.
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