What is the EIC Plug-In scheme?

EIC plug-in scheme:

Since Jan 2023 the EIC Plug-In scheme is in its pilot phase – that means that the expert group tests the suggestion of startups through a few national & regional programs
Under the Plug-in scheme, applicants do not apply directly to the EIC Accelerator. Instead, a project review is carried out by the certified national or regional program to assess the innovation or market deployment potential of an existing project supported by the program, and to decide whether the project is suitable for support under the EIC Accelerator.
In Germany, currently 5 national/regional programs can recommend projects to the EIC Accelerator: SPRING, KMU innovative, EXIST, Helmhotz Enterprise, AHEAD