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.
- Budget
- Total 2026 budget of EUR 300 million.
- Minimum investment EUR 10 million, maximum EUR 30 million in 2026.
- Equity only investments
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.
- Scope of innovation
- Digital and Deep Tech
- Clean Technologies
- Biotechnologies
- Extensive support
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.
Who can apply?
- A single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established within a Member State or an Associated Country.
- 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,
How to apply?
You can apply anytime via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Submit your proposal
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.
- CVs of key personnel
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.
- EIC Jury interview
- 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.
Do you need help ?
- NCPs
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.
- FAQs
Find answers to questions frequently asked by applicants about types of funding, eligibility, submission of proposals and much more
- BAS
All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS).
News
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.
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.
The Board endorses the 2026 work programme as the pivotal milestone in advancing Europe's deep-tech and scale-up ambitions.
The EIC STEP Scale-up call has a budget of €300 million in 2025 and a projected growth to €900 million over the period 2025-2027.
Trusted Investor Network brings together a select group of investors committed to co-investing in high-potential deep-tech companies alongside the EIC Fund.
First cohort of companies that have successfully passed the evaluation phase of the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up call announced