The European Innovation Council (EIC)has officially published the results of one of its newest funding mechanisms—the EIC STEP Scale-Up scheme. This equity-focused programme is already reshaping how scale-ups in critical technology sectors can fuel their growth.
In this article, we break down the EIC STEP Scale-Up Results, explore the outcomes of the first 2025 cut-off, and highlight the standout companies driving Europe’s competitiveness in critical deep-tech domains.
What is the EIC step scale up program?
Launched under the EIC Work Programme 2025, the EIC STEP Scale-Up (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) is designed to support scale-up companies that are pushing the envelope in strategic, high-impact technologies. Unlike other EIC schemes, this programme is equity-only, providing serious capital injections to help companies raise follow-on rounds and ramp up their growth globally.
2025 Budget: €300 million in equity-only financing.
🎯 Key Objectives:
Promote critical EU-aligned technologies
Fill the equity gap in scale-up financing
Enable deep-tech resilience in Europe
Evaluation Process of the EIC Step Scale-Up
EIC STEP Scale Up Results for the first cut-off in 2025
The first cut-off round in Q1 2025 produced impressive figures:
📨 34 proposals submitted
👥 22 invited to jury interview (65%)
✅ 7 selected for funding (21% of total applicants, 32% of those invited to the interview)
🏅 11 awarded the Sovereignty STEP Seal (7 winners + 4 high-scoring non-funded)
What the EIC STEP Scale-Up Results Reveal
1. High Selectivity = High Prestige
With just 7 out of 34 funded, the bar is clearly set high.
Selection is not just about innovation—it’s about alignment with EU sovereignty goals and the capacity of the company to attract 3-5 times more from other investors.
2. Quantum Tech is Rising Fast
Two winners (IQM & Pasqal) are quantum computing leaders, indicating strong EU interest in post-classical computing.
3. France Leads the Pack
France secured 43% of the winners—a pattern that mirrors its consistent leadership in other deep-tech EU programmes.
The EIC STEP Scale-Up is quietly redefining how Europe backs its most critical tech ventures. It’s not just another fund—it’s a strategic bet on the companies that could anchor Europe’s position in fields like quantum, clean energy, biotech and generative AI, space, semiconductors, quantum, clean energy, and biotech.
With the first cohort now moving toward investment, their progress will be worth watching.
What’s Next?
The next submission deadline is expected in mid-May 2025, with evaluations conducted quarterly. Scale-ups aiming to apply must:
Have already raised €10–30 million
Be able to commit at least 20% of their next funding round
Operate in strategic sectors aligned with EU priorities
Even companies that did not receive funding but earned the Sovereignty STEP Seal gain access to exclusive Business Acceleration Services, including exposure to alternative funding sources and EIC matchmaking services.
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