The European Innovation Council (EIC)'s Accelerator Pilot has awarded €166 million to 36 companies fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, more than €148 million has been awarded to a further 36 companies set to contribute to Europe's recovery plan. 

This €314 million investment from Horizon 2020 will support these companies as they develop pioneering projects that will tackle bio-decontamination, ventilation monitoring and antibody platforms, among other goals. 

139 other companies that did not receive funding during this round have received the newly introduced COVID-19 Seal of Excellence to help attract support from other funding sources.

Almost 4000 start-ups and SMEs applied to the EIC Accelerator pilot in March, more than 1400 of which were related to the pandemic. Those that have been awarded grants come from 16 countries, including 12 EU Member States, the UK and three associated countries. Read more here.