The EU will invest 114 million to help SMEs bring innovation to the market

The EU will invest more than 114 million euros to help 262 small businesses to bring their innovation to the market.

The SME Instrument is part of the pilot program of the European Innovation Council (EIC) that supports first level innovators with funding opportunities and acceleration services. The main objective of the EIC pilot is radical innovations that create markets to improve productivity and international competitiveness and generate new jobs and better standards of living.

Spanish SMEs were the most successful with 27 companies selected for financing and followed by 26 companies in Italy and 22 companies in Switzerland. Most of the projects focus on the field of ICT (37 projects), energy (35 projects) and transport (28 projects). Directed to: A total of 262 small and medium-sized companies have been selected to receive funds in the latest round of the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument. The total amount to be distributed to companies in the two phases of the program is € 114,237 million. With this financing, companies can finance their innovation activities ranging from feasibility studies to market launch.

Program: In this phase of the SME Instrument, each project will receive up to € 2.5 million (€ 5 million for health projects) to finance innovation activities such as demonstration, testing, testing and expansion. Companies will also benefit from 12 days of business coaching and free commercial acceleration services.

Deadline Phase 1: February 08, 2018

Deadline Phase 2: January 10, 2018

Find out here the changes introduced in the SME Instrument under the EIC.