We are proud to be a part of the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding committed by the European Commission. We are official advisors of the European Innovation Council for the Horizon 2020 initiative and our role as evaluators gives us the responsibility to examine as well as select the best projects and enterprises around Europe that will receive the public funding.
Our expertise assists companies in obtaining funding as well as crafting winning proposals. We guide clients through all stages of project applications and execution.
Participating in Horizon 2020 is an ambitious challenge. However we have one of the highest success rates amongst our peers. Our Centre of Excellence is based in Switzerland with some of the most skilled EU grant specialists.
Our client portfolio includes some of the most important public institutions in Italy and in Europe.
What is Horizon 2020?
Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative specifically aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness.
The overall goal is to ensure Europe produces world-class applied science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.
Horizon 2020 – SME Instrument
This European Commission tool is dedicated to SMEs in order to accelerate the process of introducing promising innovations onto the market.
- This tool aims the elimination of the gap between scientific research and their resulting useful application going to market.
- The instrument does not require the formation of a consortia between scientific organizations and for-profit innovating enterprises.
- The instrument finances labor costs, consumables, tests and certifications, depreciation, communication and dissemination activities.
The EIC Accelerator Pilot (SME Instrument) is a continuously open call until the end of 2020 with two remaining cut-off dates: 19 May 2020 and 7 October 2020. However, it is expected to be novated for the period spanning the forthcoming decade as well.
It acts as an accelerator programme at EU level offering funding either in the form of a grant or blended grant-and-equity finance:
- €500 000 – €2 500 000 of public grant funding 70% of eligible costs;
- Time to grant 2 – 3 months;
- Equity Investment up to € 15 000 000
The EIC Fund will be targeting equity stakes between 10% and 25%.
Whenever it is possible to find co- or alternative investors, they will lead the valuation process for the equity stake in the company.
Under this pilot, blended finance consists only of grant plus equity. Under Horizon Europe starting in 2021 additional financial products such as loan guarantees and investors’ guarantees may be offered.
Marketing
The European Commission supports the project through its own network of contacts together with coaching, knowledge sharing, dissemination and training activities.
Our added value
+500
European proposals
+200
Mln. euro granted
+10
Years of experience
At AFS, we are passionate about fostering innovation and empowering ambitious minds to flourish. Our mission is to provide best-in-class financial services for traditional and crypto deals, exploit European grants, and use quantitative methods to improve clients’ performance. We aim to help our customers unlock their full business potential.
Are you looking to fund your next venture or unlock grant opportunities?
Contact us at [email protected]!