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Assessing changes in EU innovation policy programs: from SME instrument to EIC accelerator for start-up funding

Author

Listed:
  • Maria del Sorbo

    (European Innovation Council, Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Carina Faber

    (European Innovation Council, Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Marco Grazzi

    (Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy)

  • Francesco Matteucci

    (European Innovation Council, Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Miriam Ruß

    (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie gGmbH, Wuppertal, Germany)

Abstract

A novel analysis of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator pilot is presented, marking the first extensive examination of its selection process and the impact of its funding on deep tech ventures, in comparison to its predecessor, the SME Instrument. Utilizing applicant data from both programs, the study assesses the EIC’s effectiveness in targeting firms that align with its objectives of driving breakthrough innovation. The research reveals that the EIC Accelerator pilot attracts younger and smaller firms, in comparison to its predecessor. A significantly higher proportion of applicants are high tech and medium high-tech, indicating a strategic shift towards supporting cutting-edge technologies. Despite this shift, the analysis of funding determinants demonstrates a consistent pattern across both programs, emphasizing the influence of firm size, age, and patent portfolio. Further, a regression discontinuity design analysis is used to estimate the impact of funding during the EIC accelerator pilot on firm-level outcomes, such as patenting, revenue, or employment growth. However, the very recent launch of the program shrinks both the observations and the ex-post window, and due to large standard errors the point estimates are not significant at conventional levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria del Sorbo & Carina Faber & Marco Grazzi & Francesco Matteucci & Miriam Ruß, 2024. "Assessing changes in EU innovation policy programs: from SME instrument to EIC accelerator for start-up funding," DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Politica Economica dipe0037, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctc:serie5:dipe0037
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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