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European Innovation Council
  • News article
  • 26 November 2024
  • European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
  • 1 min read

European Innovation Council: new €300 million STEP facility open for submissions for up to €30 million investments in strategic technology start-ups

As of today, your company can apply for equity financing in the EIC STEP Scale-up call, a new scheme with a budget of €300 million in 2025 and a projected growth to €900 million over the period 2025-2027. This initiative aims to provide larger investments in companies developing strategic technologies to bring them to the market and reduce strategic dependencies. The EIC STEP Scale-up will help address a market gap in deep tech scale-up funding in Europe, targeting digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies including net-zero, and biotechnologies.

This new funding is one of a range of calls being implemented across multiple EU programmes to support strategic technologies

Investments up to €30 million

The EIC STEP Scale-up offers investments ranging from €10 million to €30 million per company through the EIC Fund. It is designed to leverage private co-investment and achieve a total investment of at least €50 million to €150 million.

STEP Seal

In addition, STEP Seals will be awarded to all projects passing evaluation thresholds in STEP calls (both funded and unfunded) to facilitate access to complementary or alternative funding. Those companies also gain access to EIC Business Acceleration Services.

Who can apply?

  • A single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established within a Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
  • An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap as defined above.

This scheme is designed for companies seeking major funding rounds. The application requires proof of initial market interest from a qualified investor, covering at least 20% of the total target funding round.

How to apply? 

You can submit your application at any time via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Applications will be batched approximately every 3 months or more frequently in urgent cases.  If your application meets the eligibility requirements, you will be invited to attend an online jury interview approximately 6 weeks from the date of the last batching. During the remote interview, you will be assessed by a jury of up to six members. You will be notified about the result of the interview approximately 2 weeks after the end of the interview week. 

To learn more about the application process, please visit the EIC website.

More information

EIC website

EIC Fund

Funding and Tenders portal 

EIC work programme 2025

STEP Platform

Details

Publication date
26 November 2024
Author
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency