Regular Open Call for Acceleration of SMEs and Scale-ups - Business Plan 2024–2025

Regular Open Call for Acceleration of SMEs and Scale-ups - Business Plan 2024–2025

Type of grant: Cascade funding

Opening date: 10 September 2024

Deadline model: single-stage

Deadline date: 06 October 2024 17:00 (Brussels time)

Status: Open for submission

Expected duration of participation: 2 months - acceleration programme

Total funding available: €600,000.00

Project acronym: EIT CC - BP2024-2025

Full name of the EU funded project: EIT Culture & Creativity Business Plan 2024-2025

Grant agreement number: 101159520

Topic: HORIZON-EIT-2024-2025-KIC-CCSI - Culture and Creativity Business Plan 2024-2025

Submission & evaluation process

Outlined in Annex 1 of the Call Guidelines, the evaluation and selection process ensures a rigorous assessment of all submissions. Here is a summary of the key stages:

1. Eligibility and Admissibility Checks: Proposals undergo checks for completeness, timeliness, and compliance with call requirements. Ineligible proposals can rectify certain issues within a specified period.

2. Content Evaluation: Eligible proposals are assessed by two independent expert evaluators based on detailed criteria. Only proposals scoring 38.5 points or above, and within 200% of the available budget, progress to the portfolio selection phase.

3. Portfolio Selection: This phase can add up to 20 additional points to the initial scores. Combined scores determine the final ranking, with top-ranked proposals selected for funding.

4. Communications and Appeals: Results are communicated post-hearing. If applicable, pre-selected proposals adjust their projects as per the selection committee's conditions. Appeals against eligibility or admissibility decisions must be lodged within five days.

5. External Quality Evaluation: Proposals are evaluated on strategic fit, excellence, impact, and implementation. Each category is scored separately, contributing to a total score that determines proposal advancement to the portfolio selection.

6. Final Decision: The Selection Committee reviews all proposals passing the external evaluation and adds points based on business intelligence, EU dimension, and portfolio fit. Final selections are made based on combined scores and strategic alignment with EIT Culture & Creativity’s objectives.

Further information

The call was published an opened at the EIT CC webpage on September 6th 2024:

https://eit-culture-creativity.eu/accelerator-programme/

All questions or doubts are to be addressed on the Info-day on 17th September or via the following form:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Goit7mPW2EOEXinMfsrD-p-gNcR1eklLphuwHQFyrGpUQVJURUtXREcwQ1BPTENNUFo1NVczMllNNC4u&route=shorturl

Task description

EIT Culture & Creativity is set to launch its online accelerator programme in Autumn 2024, aimed at fostering growth and market readiness among SMEs and scale-ups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). This initiative targets key sectors such as fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audiovisual media, and games, providing comprehensive support through mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry experts. The programme is designed not only to enhance the operational capabilities of participants but also to facilitate their expansion into new market segments and global markets, driving innovation and contributing to the economic and social fabric of Europe.

Key Aspects of the Call:

1. Call Opening/Closure: Starts on 6th September 2024 and closes on 6th October 2024.
2. Programme Duration: An intensive 8-week acceleration, starting 1st November 2024, featuring mentorship, coaching, and a culminating Demo Day with potential investors.
3. Funding: A total budget of €600,000 is allocated, with each selected startup receiving support valued at €20,000.
4. Target Group: The call is specifically designed for SMEs and scale-ups that are beyond the MVP phase and actively operating within the CCSI.
5. Objectives: To empower creative entrepreneurs to leverage innovative business models and technologies, particularly digital and circular technologies, aimed at enhancing their competitiveness in international markets.
6. Application Details: Applicants are required to submit detailed proposals via the Next Matter platform, focusing on strategic fit, excellence, impact, and implementation, following the guidance provided in the Applicant Submission Manual and Call Guidelines.

Opportunities Beyond Acceleration: Participants in the accelerator programme will not only

receive immediate support but will also be considered for potential shareholding by EIT CC, aiming to establish stakes in approximately 50 companies by 2027. This underscores EIT CC's commitment to long-term partnerships and the sustainable growth of its cohorts.

Engagement and Support:

1. Info Day: Scheduled for 17th September, featuring detailed sessions about the application process and programme expectations.
2. Support: Continuous assistance is available through EIT CC's dedicated contact points, ensuring applicants can navigate the process effectively and maximize their potential for success.