European Innovation Council: EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up
Overview
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.
Its goal is to scale-up innovation in Europe's strategic technology sectors, particularly in quantum technologies and semiconductors, thereby enhancing the EU´s economic and technological competitiveness. The EIC Step Up scheme will catalyze larger funding rounds, amplifying the impact of the initial investment.
What for
- Scaling up strategic technologies
Catalyzing major funding rounds to scale up breakthrough innovations in the fields of digital, deep tech, clean tech & biotech.
Scope of innovation
- Digital and Deep Tech: Includes semiconductor, AI, quantum, advanced connectivity, sensing, robotics, and autonomous systems.
- Clean Technologies: Focus on net-zero solutions like solar, wind, battery storage, geothermal, hydrogen, biogas, carbon capture, nuclear, and circular economy.
- Biotechnologies: Includes critical medicines, DNA/RNA, proteins, cell engineering, gene vectors, bioinformatics, and nanobiotechnology.
- For details see the Guidance Note on STEP
Who can apply
- A single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established within a Member State or an Associated Country.
- An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap as defined above,
Note: This scheme targets companies seeking major funding rounds, requiring proof of initial market interest from a qualified investor covering at least 20% of the total target funding round,
What you get
- Major investment
- Total 2025 budget of EUR 300 million.
- Investment component of EUR 10 - 30 million.
- Minimum investment EUR 10 million, maximum EUR 30 million in 2025.
Successful applicants also receive access to Business Acceleration Services (BAS):
- Access to global partners
- Access to coaches, mentors, expertise and training
- Access to innovation ecosystem and peers
A STEP Seal for companies that meet the evaluation threshold, facilitating access to additional funding programs and investors.