The EIC Plug-In: A pathway from national acceleration to European scaleup funding

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Plug‑In is the mechanism enabling this new opportunity for startups and SMEs based in European Union. It allows selected companies to directly access Step 2 of the EIC Accelerator’s multi-stage application process—namely, the full proposal stage.

In Luxembourg, this pathway is implemented through the Fit 4 Start acceleration programme, managed by Luxinnovation and funded by the Ministry of the Economy.

A step up between two funding levels

The EIC Plug-In scheme offers a crucial progression, bridging national and European funding levels.

The Fit 4 Start programme provides six months of coaching, mentoring, access to networks, and up to €150,000 in equity-free public funding for startups in digital, health tech, space and now defence sectors. It is designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures in Luxembourg.

The EIC Accelerator, however, targets deep-tech startups and SMEs working on high-risk, high-impact innovations close to market. It combines grants of up to €2.5 million with investment support ranging from €1 million to €10 million through the EIC Fund. This is not a simple continuation of national support but rather a transition to a far more demanding European funding instrument.

The Plug-In serves as the bridge between these two levels. It enables companies that have matured through a national scheme to be considered directly for the EIC Accelerator’s full proposal stage, provided they fall within the EIC’s scope and have demonstrated the innovation, traction, and readiness required by the programme.

What the EIC Plug-In entails in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, access to the EIC Plug‑In is contingent not only on participation in Fit 4 Start but also on demonstrated performance throughout the programme.

Startups must first complete the acceleration phase and successfully unlock the full €150,000 grant, which is disbursed in three instalments tied to specific milestones:

• The initial €50,000 requires incorporation in Luxembourg, sufficient capitalisation and alignment with project objectives;
• The second €80,000 tranche is tied to growth indicators such as raising private equity and strengthening the team, signalling early market traction;
• The final €20,000 is contingent on sustained investment in eligible activities, reaching a total of €150,000 in project expenditure.

Direct access to the full proposal stage does not equate to direct access to funding. Monica Pretti, Luxinnovation

Once these conditions have been fulfilled, Luxinnovation may nominate selected companies under the EIC Plug In scheme, enabling them to access the full proposal stage of the EIC Accelerator directly.

From this point, they receive the same coaching support as candidates who have passed the standard short application process through the Business Accelerator Services.

What must still be proven at the EIC Accelerator full proposal stage

“Direct access to the full proposal stage does not equate to direct access to funding,” explains Monica Pretti, Advisor ‑ European Funding at Luxinnovation.

At this stage, companies are assessed under the same conditions as any other applicant who has passed the standard short application process. Evaluators do not consider the route of entry.

Proposals are evaluated against three key criteria:

• Excellence
• Impact
• And, critically, Implementation, including the robustness of the plan, the level of risk, and the need for EIC support.

Applicants must demonstrate mature, breakthrough deep-tech innovation, a credible path to market, a strong scaling strategy, and clear justification for European funding. The highest-ranking proposals proceed to an in-person interview with up to six EIC jury members.

Success hinges on demonstrating technological excellence and a compelling pathway to scale, aligned with the EIC Accelerator’s standards. Francesca Borrelli, Luxinnovation

Eligibility and admissibility requirements for the EIC Accelerator remain critical. Companies must be eligible entities established in Luxembourg and present the characteristics expected at this level: deep-tech innovation with a clear breakthrough dimension, readiness for market deployment (TRL 6 or higher), significant scaling potential, a credible business model and revenue strategy, and ownership or control of the key intellectual property required for commercialisation in Europe.

“Ultimately, success hinges on demonstrating technological excellence and a compelling pathway to scale, aligned with the EIC Accelerator’s standards,” warns Francesca Borrelli, Head of European Funding at Luxinnovation.

A funding instrument for ventures closer to market

The broader significance of the Plug-In lies in its ability to clarify the funding chain. Fit 4 Start continues to act as a national accelerator, helping startups structure themselves, validate their offerings, and build early momentum.

The EIC Accelerator remains a European funding instrument for ventures closer to market. The Plug-In connects these two levels into a coherent progression.

“For Luxembourg, this mechanism enables its most advanced and mature deep-tech ventures to transition from national support to European funding via a recognised route built to EIC standards,” specifies Ms Pretti.

For companies seeking to assess their fit for this level, Luxinnovation’s EU funding team provides guidance on the EIC Accelerator’s expectations, positioning projects appropriately, and navigating the next steps in the European funding journey.