EIC STEP Scale-UP funding for further investment

The EIC STEP Scale-Up programme is an equity-only investment scheme under the EU’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). It supports companies with strategic technologies in digital, deep-tech, cleantech, and biotech sectors needing large funding rounds. The EIC Fund invests €10–30 million per company to help them raise major follow-on capital (up to ~€150 million total). It aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and close the late-stage funding gap for breakthrough innovators.

• Single SME or small mid-cap (max 499 employees) established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country
• Businesses that have a pre-commitment from a qualified lead investor, representing at least 20% of the total target funding round.
• Investors on behalf of eligible companies
• Strategic tech alignment in:
  • Digital/deep tech (AI, quantum, semiconductors, robotics, etc.)
  • Clean & net-zero tech (batteries, renewables, hydrogen, CCUS, etc.)
  • Biotech & critical medical technologies

• Large-scale funding rounds (equity only, no grant component)
• Investment supports technology scale-up, commercialization, and international market entry
• Funds projects that reduce Europe’s strategic dependencies or improve resilience of critical value chains
• Total budget: €300M, increasing to €900M by 2027.
• Investment size: €10M–€30M from the EIC Fund
• Expected total round: €50M–€150M

The EIC STEP Scale-Up call has four cut-off deadlines for 2026:

• 11 February 2026
• 6 May 2026
• 9 September 2026
• 25 November 2026

• Step 1: Application (full business plan of 50 pages, Pitch Deck, Investor pre-commitment letter, ownership and control declaration), via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Step 2: Remote jury interview 

IF you pass these two steps, the EIC fund makes a due diligence assessment, and then three outcomes are possible: 

• GO → Investment authorization + Sovereignty (STEP) Seal
• NO GO → Feedback provided
• NO GO with Seal → Access to Business Acceleration Services

Various costs are eligible, such as personnel, equipment, travel, and subcontracting expenses.

Unlike the Accelerator, the EIC STEP Scale-Up is equity-only, focused on scale-ups, and doesn’t reimburse project costs. It’s designed to fill the market gap for high-risk, high-potential investments that private investors alone can’t cover.

Yes, you can apply to the EIC STEP Scale Up call even if you have already received previous EIC funding (e.g., Accelerator, Transition, or Pathfinder), as long as your company now meets the STEP criteria—notably:

• You are seeking €10–30 million in equity-only funding,

• You are operating in one of the three STEP priority areas: digital/deep tech, clean/resource-efficient tech, or biotech,

• You have a plan to raise a €50–150 million total round with at least 20% private co-investment committed,

• You are in a scale-up phase, going beyond the typical scope of the Accelerator.

In fact, STEP is intended to complement and extend the EIC portfolio, providing larger follow-on investment for strategic tech champions.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call offers equity-only funding, meaning the European Innovation Council provides direct investments (not grants) in the form of equity or quasi-equity, typically between €10–30 million to support the scale-up of strategic technology companies in Europe.

After submission, eligible proposals go through remote jury interviews and due diligence. Approved companies receive investment offers and the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal.

Awarded to all high-quality proposals, this seal grants privileged access to other EU funding, Business Acceleration Services, and visibility for future funding opportunities.

From submission to final investment agreement, expect 3–5 months, depending on interview scheduling and due diligence outcomes.