Challenges of the EIC Accelerator 2025 call

With the objectives of the European Green Deal and the digital transformation of the European Union At its core, these challenges aim to drive innovation in five key sectors: advanced materials, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space technology and future mobility.

Each of these challenges has a budget of €50 million and seeks to accelerate technological advances that can have a significant impact on Europe's economy, environment and technological leadership. For companies operating in these fields, the EIC Accelerator represents a unique opportunity to scale solutions capable of addressing some of today's most pressing challenges.

Development and Scaling of Advanced Materials

As industries around the world look to reduce their carbon footprint and improve sustainability, the demand for advanced materials has only increased. The EIC Accelerator will support SMEs that are innovating in the field of advanced materials, essential for sectors such as energy, mobility, electronics and construction.

Start-ups working on energy-efficient materials, lightweight composites for electric vehicles or smart sensors for electronic applications are invited to submit their proposal. With a focus on innovative and scalable materials, the programme aims to facilitate their mass production and integration into industrial applications, thus supporting Europe's transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy.

Biotechnology for the Production of Low-Emission Food and Feed

The environmental footprint of the global food system is one of the main drivers of climate change, and the European Union is committed to transforming food and feed production to meet the objectives of the Green Deal. The EIC Accelerator will finance SMEs developing biotechnological solutions capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector.

Key areas of innovation include the development of biopesticides, biostimulants and microbial fertilizers to replace traditional chemicals. In addition, the program will support biotechnological technologies applied to precision agriculture, livestock management and methane mitigation in ruminants, contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint of the food industry.

Generative Artificial Intelligence: Creating European Leaders

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, and Europe is firmly intent on leading this technological revolution. The challenge of Generative Artificial Intelligence from the EIC Accelerator aims to support start-ups and SMEs that are developing AI-based solutions to optimize decision-making, automate processes and improve the efficiency of industrial workflows.

This challenge will fund companies that are improving generative AI models, making them faster, more efficient and more energy-friendly. In addition, generative AI applications will be encouraged in specific sectors, where tailored solutions can generate substantial improvements. From improving manufacturing capabilities to accurate financial prediction or innovative healthcare solutions, the possibilities of generative AI are immense, and Europe is positioning itself to be a global benchmark in this field.

Space Technology for Resilient EU Infrastructure

Space exploration and satellite technologies are increasingly essential to meet EU policy objectives, from climate monitoring to defence. The EIC Accelerator Space Technology Challenge focuses on supporting companies developing solutions to maintain, improve and protect EU space infrastructure.

Start-ups working on in-orbit servicing and satellite maintenance, as well as space debris mitigation and satellite refuelling, will be key to this challenge. In addition, innovations in space situational awareness (SSA) and space cybersecurity will help protect Europe’s growing reliance on space infrastructure for communication, research and security.

Disruptive Innovations for the Mobility of the Future

The EU has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions from the transport sector, and the EIC Accelerator is committed to funding innovations that help achieve these goals. This challenge is aimed at SMEs developing technologies that contribute to sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly transport solutions.

Whether through the development of electric vehicles, sustainable fuels for hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as aviation or shipping, or innovations in AI-based autonomous transport systems, this challenge will fund transformative projects that will make transport cleaner, quieter and more energy-efficient. With future mobility as one of the pillars of the European Green Deal, these innovations will play a key role in shaping the European transport landscape in the coming decades.

A Vision for the Future of Innovation in Europe

The EIC Accelerator 2025 Challenges represent an ambitious vision for Europe’s technological future. By addressing critical issues such as climate change, digital transformation and space infrastructure, the programme seeks to unleash a wave of innovation with a profound impact on both the economy and the environment.

 

Start-ups and SMEs with innovative technologies in advanced materials, biotechnology, generative artificial intelligence, space technology and future mobility are encouraged to apply for these challenges. With significant financial backing and a focus on scaling high-impact innovations, the EIC Accelerator 2025 Challenges offer a unique opportunity for Europe’s most promising entrepreneurs to accelerate their path to market.

 

Elena Pérez Ruiz,
PhD Senior Project Manager European Funds