Are you developing cutting-edge technology, but investors are still hesitant? Could your solution change global markets once financing is finally secured? Then EIC STEP Scale Up is the programme for you. It is Europe's answer to deep tech funding gaps.With the EIC STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) Call 2025, the EU wants to give Europe's most promising deep tech companies the decisive boost they need to scale up – with equity investments of up to30 million euros per company. And this in an area where private financing is often too hesitant, even though the need for innovation is huge.
What is EIC STEP Scale Up?
The EIC STEP Call ‘Scale Up’ is a new funding instrument from the European Innovation Council (EIC) that provides targeted growth support to European tech champions – precisely where traditional venture capital falls short.
Total budget for 2025: 300 million euros
Investment amount per company: 10–30 million euros
Expected target: mobilisation of 50–150 million euros per company through co-investments
The key feature: The EU is directly involved as a capital provider through the EIC fund – as an anchor investor that attracts other investors.
Who can apply?
The call is not only aimed at scale-ups, i.e. companies that have successfully completed an initial growth phase and are continuing to grow rapidly. It is also aimed at start-ups and SMEs that have already successfully completed initial rounds of financing and are active in one of the following strategically important areas:
Digital technologies and deep tech: semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, robotics, cybersecurity, etc.
Clean technologies: batteries, hydrogen, grid infrastructure, CCS, etc.
Biotechnology: bioinformatics, genomics, sustainable health solutions, etc.
Important: The company must be registered in the EU or an associated country.
What exactly is being funded?
Equity only. No grants.
This means that EIC STEP Scale Up provides funding exclusively through equity participation – it is therefore not a typical funding programme, but rather a powerful financial lever for ambitious growth projects.
In addition, there is access to the EIC Business Acceleration Services: mentoring, investor contacts and visibility at the highest level.
How does the application process work?
Unlike many traditional EU funding programmes, EIC STEP Scale Up is not tied to fixed deadlines – applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis. The call has a budget of 300 million euros for 2025, which is expected to be increased to 900 million euros by 2027.
Requirements:
A convincing business plan (max. 50 pages)
A concise pitch deck (max. 15 slides)
A letter of intent from an investor
A formal declaration of ownership
After successful review, the EIC awards the ‘STEP Seal’, which can open doors to further EU funding.
Why is the EIC STEP Call worthwhile – and why with EurA?
The programme is a game changer. But the road to get there is challenging – and that's where EurA comes in:
We check without obligation whether your project and your company are suitable.
We help you develop your investor strategy and identify suitable co-investors.
We support you in preparing all documents and accompany you throughout the entire process.
We bring experience from hundreds of successful EU funding projects – including with the EIC Accelerator.
First companies selected
On 3 April 2025, the Commission announced the first cohort of companies that have successfully passed the evaluation phase of the Scale-Up call of the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). Of the 34 companies that submitted their proposals for the first group, 22 were invited to interviews with independent high-level experts, and 7 that meet all the criteria will be recommended by the EIC fund for investment decisions. One of the selected companies is Focused Energy from Darmstadt, which has developed a fusion fuel for clean energy production.
You have the potential – the EU provides the capital
EIC STEP Scale Up is the big stage for European deep tech innovations with global ambitions. If you are ready to think big, now is the time.
Seize the opportunity together with EurA!
Contact our team for EU funding – we will accompany you from the very beginning to the investment agreement.
Text: Monika Dimitrova
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I have been successfully involved in international projects for about 10 years. I have designed and coordinated international research consortia as well as (co-)developed and successfully implemented more than 50 business plans for highly innovative deep-tech start-ups. To keep sharpening my knowledge, I am a founding member of the European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) and represent EurA there.This makes me a very good first point of contact for questions about international funding projects.
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