EIC STEP Scale Up
EU-wide financing instrument for scaling high-risk innovations: equity investments between €10 million and €30 million in innovative SMEs and small mid-caps, continuous submission until 25/11/2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for ambitious growth phases ("Scale-Up") for European SMEs and Small Mid-Caps with game-changing innovations in critical technology areas. The goal is to close significant investment gaps, accelerate market entry, and catalyze larger financing rounds (€50–150 million).
Eligible expenses
- Equity investments in innovative companies
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Company must be established as an SME or Small Mid-Cap (up to 499 employees) in an EU Member State or associated country
- Prior commitment from a qualified investor amounting to at least 20% of the targeted funding round
Documents required for application
- Standard application form (HE EIC STEP)
- EIC Work Programme 2026
- Guidance note on the STEP Regulation
- EIC Fund Investment Guidelines
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content and ambition of the technology
- Catalytic effect on subsequent funding rounds
- Relevance for strategic critical technology fields
Description
The EIC STEP Scale Up is an EU-wide funding instrument that enables European SMEs and Small Mid-Caps in critical technology areas (Deep Tech, Cleantech, Biotech) to undertake ambitious growth phases (“Scale-Up”). Companies with proven functional pre-innovations and a prior commitment from a qualified investor (at least 20% of the financing volume) can apply for equity investments ranging from €10 million to €30 million. The goal is to close investment gaps in game-changing innovations, accelerate market entry, and catalyze financing rounds of €50 million to €150 million. Submissions are accepted continuously from 06.11.2025 to 25.11.2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
The EIC Fund manages the equity investments and ensures that companies and their intellectual property remain within the EU or Associated Countries. Participants also benefit from Business Acceleration Services and receive a STEP seal upon exceeding valuation thresholds for further networking with EU programs and investors. Evaluation criteria include the level of innovation, potential catalytic effect on follow-up financing, and relevance to strategic technology fields. Only equity participations in innovative companies are funded, with a quota of around €300 million for 2026, increasing to €900 million for 2025–2027. The European Commission, as the executive body, oversees the selection, supports application processes, and relies on pre-vetted investors to cover at least 20% of the rounds. This funding offer targets scale-up companies ready to establish their innovations widely across Europe and thus help shape disruptive markets.
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