The panorama of European innovation is enriched with Genai4eu, the new ACCLerator call dedicated to artificial generative intelligence. A strategic opportunity for start-ups and SMEs who want to become protagonists of digital transformation, accessing significant funding and a single growth ecosystem. In this context, Mad Management Advisor stands out for its double role: consultant expert in facilitated finance and innovation manager specialized in AI, ready to accompany companies in all phases of the design path.
Genai4eu: a European vision for genai
Genai4eu was born with the ambition to create real European champions in the genai sector, strengthening digital sovereignty and promoting reliable, ethical and transparent solutions. The announcement is designed to support the adoption of generative artificial intelligence in key sectors such as health, energy, safety, public sector, cultural and creative industries, manufacturing, education and science. The goal is twofold: on the one hand, to encourage the competitiveness of European companies, on the other hand ensuring that developed technologies respect the values of the European Union and are fully compliant with the ACTs.
To whom Genai4eu is addressed and which projects financed
They can participate in the start-up call and SMEs based in the European Union or in countries associated with Horizon Europe, as well as small mid-chap for the equity component. New entrepreneurial realities can also apply, as long as the Constitution takes place before the presentation of the complete proposal. A fundamental requirement is the absence of direct or indirect control by non -associated third countries.
Genai4eu finances projects ranging from the development and validation of new genii models to the adaptation of existing solutions to specific sectors or types of data, with particular attention to energy efficiency and performance. The integration of genai technologies in business processes, experimentation in real environments and regulatory sandboxes, as well as post-commercialization certification and surveillance, are all eligible activities. The announcement also enhances the protection of intellectual property, the definition of the commercial strategy and the preparation for production and distribution.
Priority sectors and impact
Generative artificial intelligence is applied in numerous strategic areas. In healthcare, for example, it can revolutionize the automatic reporting and the human-AI interaction, while in the energy sector it allows more intelligent management of networks and a better integration of renewable sources. Genai is also essential to strengthen digital security, optimize public services, enhance cultural and linguistic diversity in creative industries, promote sustainability and automation in the manufacturing, personalize learning in the educational field and accelerate scientific research.
Financial concessions and exclusive advantages
The announcement provides contributions with a lost fund up to 70% of the eligible expenses, with amounts between 500,000 and 2.5 million euros for projects with TRL 5-8, to be carried out within 24 months. For more mature initiatives (TRL 9), equity or quasi-Equity investments are foreseen up to 15 million euros, with the possibility of combining Grant and Equity thanks to the Bleeded Finance mechanism. The overall budget for Genai4eu is 50 million euros, inserted in a larger frame of 250 million for all EIC accelerators Challenges 2025.
The selected companies not only benefit from financing: they can access European supercalcol resources through the Factories (EurohPC), establish strategic partnerships with large industrial players, use scientific data through the European Open Science Cloud and test solutions in real environments and regulatory sandboxes. Business acceleration, mentoring, networking and training services are also planned, as well as synergies with other European initiatives such as Edih, Tefs and Aiod.
Selection criteria and application path
The selection of projects is based on criteria of innovation, impact, scalability and solidity of the team, with strong attention to alignment with European values, safety, ethics and privacy. The candidacy process is divided into three phases: a short proposal with pitch deck and video, the presentation of the full proposal with detailed business plan and, finally, the interview in front of the EIC jury. The next deadline for submitting the complete proposals is set on 1 October 2025.
Compliance, inclusion and regulatory requirements
All solutions must comply with the GDPR and ACT, provide for an impact assessment and proactive management of the risks related to personal data. The announcement also pays particular attention to diversity and inclusion, enhancing start-up candidates and SMEs led by women and guaranteeing the exclusion of control from non-associated third countries.
The double value of Mad Management Advisor: financial advice and innovation
Mad Management Advisor represents a unique partner for those who want to participate in Genai4eu, thanks to a double soul that integrates skills of facilitated finance and innovation management. On the one hand, Mad supports companies in the analysis of the requirements, in the design and development of ideas, in the preparation of the documentation and in the management of the candidacy, up to the reporting and monitoring of the financed activities. On the other hand, it offers a specialist accompaniment on everything related to innovation: from the definition of the most effective genai strategy, to the choice of technologies, from the protection of intellectual property to the formation of the Team Su Ai, Privacy, Security and Compliance.
MAD also facilitates access to supercalcolo resources, scientific data, international innovation and networking ecosystems, enhancing each project with an integrated and multidisciplinary vision.
Choose Mad for your challenge Genai4eu
Choosing Mad Management Advisor means relying on a partner who accompanies you from strategy to candidacy, from management of the project to scalability on the market, always guaranteeing the utmost attention to technological innovation, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.
If you want to take the opportunity Genai4eu and bring your company among the protagonists of generative artificial intelligence in Europe, contact us for dedicated advice.
