The ultimate guide to boosting your funding
Searching for the right cash boost can feel like chasing shadows. On one side, you have UK tax incentives – SEIS and EIS. On the other, the EU’s EIC Accelerator. They both promise support but come with very different processes. If you’re hunting for EU startup grants, you know it feels like navigating a minefield.
We’ll break down each scheme. You’ll learn what works for a lean SaaS team, a biotech spin-out, or any bold venture. Ready to power through the jargon and find the best route to scale? Revolutionise your access to EU startup grants.
UK’s tax breaks: SEIS and EIS under the microscope
When it comes to EU startup grants, the UK does things a bit differently. It leans on tax reliefs. SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) and EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) are the big two. They offer investors a chunk off their tax bill. In return, capital lands in your bank account.
How SEIS works
- Early-stage focus: Pre-revenue or proof-of-concept.
- Investment cap: £150,000 per company.
- Investor relief: 50% income tax relief plus no capital gains tax on profits.
- Risk cushion: Loss relief against income if things go south.
How EIS works
- Growth phase: Companies ready to scale.
- Investment range: Up to £5 million per year (max £12 million total).
- Investor relief: 30% income tax relief and capital gains deferral.
- Extra perk: 100% inheritance tax relief after two years.
UK schemes can feel like mini awards compared to full-blown EU startup grants, but sometimes less is more. For founders, that means careful planning, compliance checks and advance assurance letters. Yet for a lean team, the simplicity of tax breaks can beat the complexity of EU startup grants any day.
The EIC Accelerator: Europe’s big bet
The EIC Accelerator is part of Horizon Europe’s push to back deep-tech innovation. This scheme mixes grants and equity. You can get up to €2.5 million in grant funding, then a further €10 million through equity or convertible loans. It’s tailor-made for projects at TRL 6–8—think prototypes or pilot-ready tech.
What’s on offer?
- Grant component: Lump sum under €2.5 million for innovation activities over 24 months.
- Investment component: €1–10 million via blended finance (grant + equity/quasi-equity).
- Business Acceleration Services (BAS): Coaching, mentoring, training and networking.
- Access to global partners, investors and peer innovators.
- Themes vs Open: Apply to pre-defined challenges or any field in the Open call.
Who can apply?
- Start-ups and SMEs with big ambitions.
- Small mid-caps (under 499 employees) for investment-only applications.
- UK applicants: grant-only option post-Brexit.
- Third-country companies: must relocate before full submission.
- Note: small UK teams might find simpler EU startup grants a less daunting first step.
There’s a four-step process:
1. Short proposal with slides and a 3-minute video pitch.
2. Full proposal: 20-page form, detailed deck, letters of intent, financials.
3. Jury interview: live Q&A with experts.
4. Grant agreement and due diligence for investment.
High reward. High rigour. If you need serious capital and global visibility, this might eclipse more modest EU startup grants.
Feeling overwhelmed? Our platform makes finding and comparing EU startup grants a breeze. Explore top EU startup grants with Oriel IPO.
Bridging the gap: where Oriel IPO steps in
Navigating the maze of EU startup grants and UK schemes isn’t easy. That’s where Oriel IPO steps in with a commission-free investment marketplace. Here’s how they help:
- Curated opportunities: Only vetted startups make the cut.
- Commission-free model: Transparent subscription fees, no hidden cuts.
- Educational toolkit: In-depth SEIS/EIS guides, webinars and expert insights.
- Deadline tracker: Keep tabs on EU startup grants and UK relief windows.
- Centralised showcase: Connect directly with angel investors.
With Oriel IPO, you manage documents, track deadlines and sharpen your pitch—all in one place. They remove friction, so you focus on growth instead of paperwork.
Real-world example: picking the right path
Imagine you’re a clean-tech founder in Sheffield. You’ve built a working prototype and are juggling EU startup grants, SEIS rounds, and pitching to angels.
Option A: SEIS round via Oriel IPO. You raise £100k, your investors snag 50% income tax relief and you close within weeks. Quick, lean, low admin.
Option B: EIC Accelerator. You pour effort into a full proposal, nail a jury session and land €2 million in blended finance. Plus, you get top-tier coaching and global connections. Big upside, longer haul.
This thought experiment shows the trade-offs. If you need quick capital with minimal admin, SEIS/EIS wins hands down. If you’re aiming for a major scale-up and can handle a rigorous process, the EIC Accelerator is your arena. Either way, Oriel IPO’s marketplace and tools help you prep your best application.
Making the choice: questions to ask
Use this decision checklist to see where EU startup grants fit in:
– What’s your current TRL? Prototype stage favours the EIC Accelerator.
– How fast do you need funds? SEIS/EIS is quicker.
– How much capital do you want? SEIS <£150k vs EIC <€2.5 m (grant) + equity.
– Do your investors value tax relief? SEIS/EIS delivers.
– Can your team handle lengthy evaluations? Then EIC may pay off.
– Need built-in mentoring and networking? That’s EIC’s BAS ecosystem.
– How lean is your admin capacity? SEIS/EIS often wins here.
Answer honestly. Then decide which route aligns with your growth plan.
What founders say
- “Using Oriel IPO’s marketplace made our SEIS round a breeze. The curated approach filtered out noise, and the educational webinars helped us nail our pitch.” – Sarah Thompson, CleanTech Co.
- “We aimed for the EIC Accelerator. Oriel IPO’s resources clarified every step, and their connection to angel investors gave us early traction before the big grant arrived.” – Raj Patel, MedTech Innovators.
- “No surprises, no hidden fees. We raised £200k under SEIS with Oriel IPO, then confidently applied for the EIC. The platform is a founder’s best ally.” – Lucy Nguyen, AgriScale Ltd.
Conclusion
Comparing UK SEIS & EIS against the EIC Accelerator isn’t about picking a winner. It’s about matching your stage, risk appetite and growth plans to the right tool. SEIS/EIS shines for quick, tax-savvy rounds. The EIC Accelerator suits ventures targeting a global leap and heavy-duty funding.
Oriel IPO helps map each route. From commission-free listings to in-depth guides, they streamline EU startup grants, tax schemes and application processes. Whether you’re chasing a £100k angel round or a €10 million equity tranche, you’ll have clarity and support.
Ready to make your move? Get started with EU startup grants today
