EIC STEP Scale Up Defence – equity funding for defence & dual-use technologies.

EIC STEP Scale Up Defence is an equity-only investment scheme that supports defence and dual-use technology SMEs and small mid-caps with capital in exchange for equity. The funding helps companies commercialise innovations, expand production, enter new markets and grow internationally.

Part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), the scheme helps build sustainable, globally competitive defence and dual-use businesses. It is Europe’s strategic response to scaling critical defence and dual-use technologies.

• SMEs and small mid-caps with fewer than 500 employees
• Established in eligible EU Member States, eligible EEA countries associated to Horizon Europe, or Ukraine
• Investors may apply on behalf of eligible companies
• Companies must be free from third-country control (guarantees may be accepted where applicable)
• Initial market interest from a qualified investor, with pre-commitment of at least 20% of the total target funding round

Strategic focus areas

The programme prioritises companies developing:

• Defence technologies aligned with EU defence priorities
• Dual-use technologies with both civilian and defence applications (cybersecurity, AI, advanced manufacturing, quantum, semiconductors and more)
• Critical infrastructure technologies supporting resilience, supply-chain independence and sovereign capability

• EIC Fund equity-only investment: €10M–€30M per company
• Total 2026 budget: €100M
• Target total funding round: €50M–€150M or more
• At least 3–5x leverage compared with the EIC investment
• Qualified investor pre-commitment of at least 20% of the total target funding round

• Call opening: 17 June 2026
• Call closing: 28 October 2026

Applicants should always confirm current submission details on the official EIC and Funding & Tenders Portal before applying. Source: European Innovation Council — “EIC STEP Scale Defence call opens today”

A complete application generally includes:

• Full business plan (max. 50 pages)
• Pitch deck (max. 15 pages)
• Qualified investor pre-commitment letter
• Financial plan
• Freedom-to-operate analysis or statement
• CVs / LinkedIn profiles of key personnel
• Ownership and control self-assessment
• Letters of intent

Eligible applicants are then invited to an EIC Jury interview, followed by the EIC Fund’s due diligence.

Timeline: According to the official source, applicants can expect invitation information within roughly 4–6 weeks from the start of evaluation, and an interview result within about 2 weeks of the interview date.
Overall, companies should typically plan for several months from submission to a final investment decision.

It is equity-only investment. You receive capital in exchange for equity; the EIC Fund becomes a shareholder. Funding supports scale-up and commercialisation rather than reimbursing project costs.

Single SMEs and small mid-caps that have a defence or dual-use technology with fewer than 500 employees, established in eligible EU Member States, eligible EEA countries associated to Horizon Europe, or Ukraine.

Investors may also apply on behalf of eligible companies.

Dual-use technologies are innovations with both civilian and defence applications. Examples include AI, cybersecurity, drones, robotics, quantum, satellites and secure communications.
They are important because they help companies serve commercial markets while also supporting security, defence and Europe’s technological sovereignty.

Yes. Dual-use companies with both civilian and defence applications are explicitly in scope, provided they align with STEP and defence priorities.

The STEP Seal is a quality label awarded to strong proposals. It signals strategic alignment and investment readiness, and can provide access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and visibility for further funding.

The Accelerator offers blended finance (grant plus equity) across sectors. STEP Scale Up Defence is equity-only, focused on defence and dual-use scale-ups, and targets substantially larger funding rounds with a required investor pre-commitment.