EIC STEP Scale Up

The main goal is to bridge the funding gap for ambitious companies scaling up high-risk, breakthrough innovations in Europe. The focus is on supporting SMEs and small mid-caps working in cutting-edge digital, clean, and biotechnologies. Priority is given to projects in areas such as advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, renewable energy, and critical biomedicine. The opportunity aims to strengthen Europe’s leadership in these strategic sectors and secure their value chains. Only companies established in EU Member States or Associated Countries are eligible.

• Project must be led by a single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a Member State or Associated Country.
• Innovation must focus on digital, clean, or biotechnologies as defined by the program.
• Applicant must show initial market interest and have a pre-commitment from a qualified investor for at least 20% of the funding round.
• Project must help reduce strategic dependencies and align with EU interests.
• Proposal must follow the required format and page limits.

Examples:

• A French SME developing next-generation quantum processors with a pre-committed investor.
• A German small mid-cap scaling up hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing, aligning with EU climate goals.
• A Spanish biotech company producing critical mRNA vaccines, securing strategic supply chains in Europe.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 300,000,000€
• Number of Invesments Made: 15  
• Maximum value per project: 10,000,000€
• Minimum value per project: 30,000,000€
• Other financial details: Applicants must secure a funding round at least 3–5 times the EIC contribution (50–150€ million total). At least 20% of the total must be pre-committed by a qualified investor. Investments are equity-only and terms are negotiated individually. Supported companies are expected to keep most of their value, including intellectual property, within the EU or Associated Countries, with safeguards to protect European interests.

• Applicant must be a single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a Member State or Associated Country.
• Holding entities for investment must also be based in a Member State or Associated Country.
• Investor proposals are allowed if there is a prior agreement with the company.
• Applicants must not be controlled by entities from non-associated third countries.
• Applicants must secure a pre-commitment from a qualified investor for at least 20% of the total funding round.
• Innovation must be in digital, clean, or biotechnologies as prioritized by the program.