Discovery tool, not advice. Every figure is the published rule, not a decision on your case.

Equity

European Innovation Council STEP Scale Up

EIC STEP Scale Up

Status

Open continuously

No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.

Always open

Amount

€30,000,000

'offering financial support in the form of investments to startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps, between EUR 10 to 30 million'. Equity only - no grant component. 2026 budget: EUR 300 million.

Funder

European Innovation Council Fund / EISMEA, under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

public · supranational

Deadline: Open all year — The EIC states applicants 'can apply anytime via the Funding & Tenders Portal'; no fixed cut-off dates are published for the general STEP Scale Up call in 2026.

Your odds

Not published

This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.

Effort

major

Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.

Who can apply

Up to 499 employees
Sectors: deeptech, ai, climate, health
Stage: Series A and growth
Locally registered entity required

'A single SME or small mid-cap (fewer than 500 employees)' established in EU Member States or eligible Associated Countries (excluding the UK). Target sectors: digital and deep tech, clean technologies, biotechnologies. Requires 'proof of initial market interest from a qualified investor covering at least 20% of the total target funding round'.

How to apply

Secure proof of initial market interest from a qualified investor covering at least 20% of the total target funding round. — link
Register on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a PIC. — link
Submit the application at any time; evaluation, interview and due diligence follow. — link

What you will need

Application form / business plan
Evidence of qualified investor interest covering at least 20% of the target round
Financial statements for due diligence

Apply on the funder's site

Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/step-scale_en

"The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme is part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), offering financial support in the form of investments to startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps, between EUR 10 to 30 million."

Verified on 14 August 2026

Source: eic.ec.europa.eu

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