EIC STEP Scale Up 2025 is sponsored by European Innovation Council. Equity investments to catalyse larger investment rounds of €50 million or above to companies with pre-commitments from investors.

STEP Scale Up - European Innovation Council - European Commission EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up scheme What for Scaling up strategic technologies Catalysing major funding rounds to scale up breakthrough innovations in the fields of digital, deep tech, clean tech & biotech. Who can apply Startups, SMEs and investors Single startups and SMEs, small mid-caps, investors on behalf of eligible companies.

What you get Major investments Investment component of EUR 10 - 30 million. What is the EIC STEP Scale Up scheme? The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme is part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), offering financial support in the form of investments to startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps, between EUR 10 to 30 million.

Its goal is to scale-up innovation in Europe's strategic technology sectors, particularly in quantum technologies and semiconductors, thereby enhancing the EU´s economic and technological competitiveness. The EIC Step Up scheme will catalyze larger funding rounds, amplifying the impact of the initial investment. Total 2026 budget of EUR 300 million .

Minimum investment EUR 10 million , maximum EUR 30 million in 2026. Managed by the EIC Fund , the STEP Scale Up scheme aims to bridge the funding gap for high-risk innovations that cannot be fully financed by other investors.

For details see the Guidance Note on STEP Access Business Acceleration Services (BAS) : Access to global partners Access to coaches, mentors, expertise and training Access to innovation ecosystem and peers A STEP Seal for companies that meet the evaluation threshold, facilitating access to additional funding programs and investors.

This document presents the 2026 European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. It sets out how the EIC will allocate its funding of for the year 2026 and has been prepared following the advice of the EIC Board.

A single SME or small mid-cap (fewer than 500 employees) established in an EU Member State or in an eligible Associated Country (excluding the UK) An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap as defined above, Note: This scheme targets companies seeking major funding rounds, requiring proof of initial market interest from a qualified investor covering at least 20% of the total target funding round, You can apply anytime via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

To be deemed admissible and eligible, proposals must consist of: a full business plan , including information on the company’s ownership and financial structure and a justification on the STEP related objectives (maximum 50 pages); a pitch-deck (maximum 15 pages) in pdf format (this version will be presented to the jury if invited to interview); a pre-commitment from a single qualified investor (according to the official template on the Funding and Tenders Portal and also available on the EIC website); The pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round, which must range between EUR 50 to 150 million, and be at least 3-5 times the EIC investment); a financial plan and agreement document (according to the template available on the EIC website).

Results of the freedom to operate (FTO) analysis. If you do not have one, please upload a note of maximum 2 pages outlining your freedom to operate and providing as much information as possible on this issue. In cases where the FTO is not relevant (e.g. software), please upload a simple statement.

If your application meets the eligibility requirements, you will be invited to attend a jury interview. You will be informed about the interview in 4-6 weeks from the start of the evaluation process. At the interview, you will be assessed by a Jury of maximum six members.

You will be informed about the result of the interview in 2 weeks from the date of the interview. Companies, irrespective of whether they are retained for funding or not, that meet all evaluation criteria will be awarded the Sovereignty Seal and gain access to Business Acceleration Services . Furthermore, if your proposal does not meet the criteria, you will receive feedback to help improve future applications.

STEP application guidance document Pre-commitment template (STEP) The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.

Find your National Contact Point Find answers to questions frequently asked by applicants about types of funding, eligibility, submission of proposals and much more Check the frequently asked questions All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS).

The European Innovation Council opens to defence and dual-use technologies As from today, the European Innovation Council (EIC) will provide investments in defence and dual-use technologies, marking a strategic pivot in Europe’s innovation policy.

EIC Impact Report 2026: Europe strengthens its position as a global deep tech scaling hub The European Innovation Council (EIC) today published its Impact Report 2026 Eight European startups set to receive scale-up funding from the EIC under the STEP Scale Up scheme The Commission announced a new group of eight companies to receive €10 and €30 million investments to support them in the crucial scale-up phase to establish a market position...

Congratulations to Axelera AI, securing more than €200 million funding on global commercial growth Axelera AI has been supported by the EIC since 2023, first under the EIC Accelerator, then under the EIC STEP Scale Up call. First EIC Step Scale Up investments disbursed These first investments go to IQM Computers and Zadient Technologies, two pioneering European scale-ups that exemplify the ambition and excellence of the EIC portfolio.

New scale up investments under the EIC STEP Scale Up scheme The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme provides investments of between €10 and €30 million (per company) aiming to leverage private co-investment and achieve financing rounds of €50 to €150 million or more.