EIC STEP Scale Up 2026: Complete Guide to Europe's Strategic Technology Investment Programme

August 22, 202517,377 words87 min

Introduction to EIC STEP Scale Up
Overview and Strategic Objectives
Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Regulation
Purpose and Target Audience
Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Apply
Priority Technology Areas
Digital Technologies and Deep Tech
Clean and Resource Efficient Technologies
Biotechnologies
Funding Structure and Investment Component
Application Process and Timeline
Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process
Pre-commitment Requirements
Economic Security and Safeguards
Sovereignty (STEP) Seal
Business Acceleration Services
Venture Debt and InvestEU Complementarity
Key Dates and Deadlines 2026
Success Factors and Best Practices
Conclusion and Next Steps

1. Introduction to EIC STEP Scale Up

The EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up call represents a groundbreaking initiative within the European Innovation Council (EIC) framework, designed to address critical funding gaps in Europe's deep tech ecosystem. This innovative program targets ambitious scale-up companies (SMEs and small mid-caps) with game-changing innovations in Europe's most critical technology areas, offering unprecedented financial support ranging from EUR 10 to EUR 30 million in equity investments.

Established as a pilot action following the STEP Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/795), this call specifically addresses the market gap in financing deep tech scale-up companies in Europe. The program is designed to inform future support decisions while providing immediate, substantial backing to companies that demonstrate breakthrough potential in strategic technologies.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call operates under Article 48 of the Horizon Europe Regulation (2021/695), following its amendment by Article 17(2) of the STEP Regulation. It maintains the same provisions on indirect management and parent and holding companies as the standard EIC Accelerator call, ensuring consistency with established EIC operational frameworks.

This initiative is part of the broader Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) implementation, which supports the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union and safeguards and strengthens their respective value chains. Beyond EIC support, projects selected under this call may be eligible for additional backing under other EU programs included in the STEP framework.

The program specifically targets companies that have already secured initial investments and are now seeking major funding rounds to scale up rapidly and become global leaders. The EIC investment is designed to act as a catalyst for larger funding rounds, typically in the range of EUR 50 to EUR 150 million, representing at least 3-5 times the EIC investment amount.

In 2026, the program places particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in semiconductor technologies and quantum technologies through the STEP Scale Up call, which foresees larger investments targeting strategic technologies including support for the Chips Act. This focus aligns with Europe's strategic priorities in maintaining technological sovereignty and reducing dependencies on non-EU sources for critical technologies.

The call operates on a "first come, first served" basis with quarterly cut-offs, ensuring timely evaluation and decision-making processes. Companies selected under this call receive not only substantial financial backing but also access to comprehensive Business Acceleration Services and the prestigious Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, which facilitates privileged access to funding and support from other EU programs and investors.

With a total indicative budget of EUR 300 million for 2026, expected to rise to EUR 900 million for the period 2025-2027, the EIC STEP Scale Up call represents one of the most significant funding opportunities for European deep tech companies seeking to achieve global market leadership in strategic technology areas.

2. Overview and Strategic Objectives

The EIC STEP Scale Up call is strategically designed to address Europe's most pressing technological and economic challenges while positioning European companies as global leaders in critical technology areas. The program's overarching objective is to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty and reduce strategic dependencies on non-EU sources for critical technologies and raw materials.

The strategic objectives of the EIC STEP Scale Up call are multifaceted and align with broader European Union priorities. The program aims to support the development and commercialization of breakthrough innovations that bring to the internal market innovative, emerging, and cutting-edge elements with significant economic potential. This includes technologies that contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union, thereby enhancing Europe's competitive position in the global technology landscape.

The call specifically targets companies that are raising significant funding rounds and requires demonstration of initial market interest, ensuring that the EIC investment acts as a catalyst for larger funding rounds. This approach is designed to maximize the impact of public funding by leveraging private sector investment and market validation.

One of the key strategic objectives is to fill the funding gap for companies investing in the scale-up of high-risk innovations where the amount needed for scale-up cannot be fully financed by other investors, including InvestEU implementing partners. This addresses a critical market failure where promising deep tech companies struggle to secure the substantial funding required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

The program operates within the framework of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which supports the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union and safeguards and strengthens their respective value chains. This broader context ensures that individual investments contribute to building robust European technology ecosystems and supply chains.

Strategic objectives also include fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion within the EU by supporting innovations that have the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU. This includes technologies that contribute to the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 and support multi-country projects as defined in Article 2(2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481.

The program places particular emphasis on technologies that contribute to Europe's strategic interests and security, including advanced semiconductor technologies, artificial intelligence technologies, quantum technologies, and other critical areas identified in the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas. This focus ensures that European investments align with strategic priorities and contribute to maintaining technological leadership in areas of critical importance.

Another key strategic objective is to ensure that supported companies keep most of their value, including their intellectual property, in the EU or in Associated Countries. This objective contributes to economic growth and job creation within Europe while protecting European technological assets and competitive advantages.

The program also aims to catalyze major funding rounds in the range of EUR 50 to EUR 150 million, representing at least 3-5 times the EIC investment. This leverage effect is crucial for maximizing the impact of public funding and ensuring that European companies have access to the substantial capital required to compete effectively in global markets.

Strategic objectives include supporting companies in achieving global market leadership in their respective technology areas, thereby enhancing Europe's position as a global innovation hub and technology leader. This includes fostering the development of companies that can disrupt established markets and forge new ones across Europe and globally.

The program also aims to provide privileged access to funding and support from other EU programs and investors through the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, creating a comprehensive support ecosystem that extends beyond the initial investment. This approach ensures that companies receive ongoing support throughout their growth journey.

Finally, the strategic objectives include informing future support decisions through the pilot nature of the program, ensuring that lessons learned from this initiative can be incorporated into broader European innovation support frameworks and policies.

3. Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Regulation

The EIC STEP Scale Up call operates under the framework established by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Regulation, officially known as Regulation (EU) 2024/795. This regulation, which came into effect on February 29, 2024, establishes the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform and amends Directive 2003/87/EC and multiple other EU regulations including (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241.

The STEP Regulation serves as the legal foundation for the EIC STEP Scale Up call, defining the scope, objectives, and operational framework for supporting strategic technologies across the European Union. The regulation establishes the platform as a comprehensive initiative to support the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union and to safeguard and strengthen their respective value chains.

Article 2(1), point (a) of the STEP Regulation defines the priority technology areas that are eligible for support under the EIC STEP Scale Up call. These areas include digital technologies and deep tech innovations, clean and resource efficient technologies including net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies. The regulation establishes these as critical technology areas where there is a need to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union.

The STEP Regulation introduces the concept of critical technologies, which are deemed critical where they meet either of the following conditions: they bring to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential, or they contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union. This definition provides the framework for determining eligibility under the EIC STEP Scale Up call.

The regulation establishes the EIC STEP Scale Up call as a specific call within the broader EIC Accelerator framework, as defined under Article 48 of the Horizon Europe Regulation (2021/695). This integration ensures that the STEP Scale Up call operates within the established EIC governance and operational structures while providing specialized support for strategic technology areas.

Article 17(2) of the STEP Regulation amends the Horizon Europe Regulation to enable the implementation of the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This amendment provides the legal basis for the specific features and requirements of the STEP Scale Up call, including the higher investment amounts and specialized evaluation criteria.

The STEP Regulation establishes the framework for the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, which is awarded to companies selected under the EIC STEP Scale Up call who meet the evaluation thresholds. This seal facilitates and provides privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes and other funders and investors, creating a comprehensive support ecosystem.

The regulation also establishes the framework for complementarity with other EU programs included in the STEP platform. This ensures that projects selected under the EIC STEP Scale Up call may be eligible for additional support under other EU programmes, maximizing the impact of European innovation support.

The STEP Regulation includes provisions for economic security and safeguards, ensuring that recipients of funding under the EIC STEP Scale Up call must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or a legal entity established in a non-associated third country. This provision aligns with Article 136 of the Financial Regulation and protects European strategic interests.

The regulation establishes the framework for the Commission Guidance Note concerning certain provisions of the STEP Regulation, which was adopted in May 2024 (C(2025)3148 of 8 May 2024). This guidance note provides detailed information on the criticality conditions and operational aspects of the STEP platform, including specific guidance for the EIC STEP Scale Up call.

The STEP Regulation also establishes the framework for monitoring and evaluation of the platform's effectiveness, including provisions for reporting on the impact of supported projects and the overall contribution to Europe's technological sovereignty and strategic objectives.

The regulation ensures that the EIC STEP Scale Up call operates within the broader context of Europe's strategic technology priorities, including support for the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 targets and objectives, and alignment with multi-country projects as defined in Article 2(2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481.

Finally, the STEP Regulation establishes the legal framework for the pilot nature of the EIC STEP Scale Up call, providing the basis for evaluating the effectiveness of this approach and informing future decisions on European innovation support mechanisms.

4. Purpose and Target Audience

The EIC STEP Scale Up call serves a specific and critical purpose within Europe's innovation ecosystem: to address the funding gap that exists for deep tech scale-up companies that have demonstrated breakthrough potential but require substantial capital to achieve global market leadership. The program is designed to support companies that have already secured initial investments and are now seeking major funding rounds to scale up rapidly and become global leaders in strategic technology areas.

The primary purpose of the EIC STEP Scale Up call is to provide significant financial backing to companies developing game-changing innovative technologies focused on the development and commercialization of strategic technologies for Europe. This includes technologies in digital and deep tech, cleantech, and biotech sectors that have the potential to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty and reduce strategic dependencies on non-EU sources.

The program specifically targets companies where the successful commercialization and scaling of their technology or innovation represents significant risks that mean it cannot be sufficiently financed from market investors alone. This addresses a critical market failure where promising deep tech companies struggle to secure the substantial funding required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call is designed to catalyze major funding rounds, typically in the range of EUR 50 to EUR 150 million, representing at least 3-5 times the EIC investment. The program's purpose is to act as a catalyst for larger funding rounds, leveraging the EIC investment to attract significant additional private sector capital.

The target audience for the EIC STEP Scale Up call consists of ambitious scale-up companies that meet specific criteria. These include SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and small mid-caps (companies with up to 499 employees) that are established within a Member State or an Associated Country. The companies may have a holding entity for the purposes of the investment, and this holding company must also be established in a Member State or an Associated Country.

The program also allows investors to submit proposals on behalf of eligible SMEs or small mid-caps, provided that a prior agreement exists with the company. In such cases, the investment agreement will be signed with the selected SME or small mid-cap, ensuring that the funding directly benefits the target company.

The target audience includes companies that have already demonstrated initial market interest and have secured a pre-commitment from a single investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology, and jurisdiction. This pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round the company is aiming to raise.

The program specifically targets companies operating in the priority technology areas defined in the STEP regulation: digital technologies and deep tech innovations, clean and resource efficient technologies including net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies. These areas are deemed critical for Europe's strategic interests and technological sovereignty.

The target audience includes companies that have developed technologies that bring to the internal market an innovative, emerging, and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential, or technologies that contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union. This ensures that the program supports technologies of strategic importance to Europe.

The program is particularly focused on companies that have the potential to become global leaders in their respective technology areas, with innovations that can disrupt established markets and forge new ones across Europe and globally. This includes companies with breakthrough technologies that have the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU.

The target audience also includes companies that are committed to keeping most of their value, including their intellectual property, in the EU or in Associated Countries. This commitment is crucial for ensuring that European investments contribute to economic growth and job creation within Europe while protecting European technological assets.

Finally, the program targets companies that are willing to engage with the comprehensive support ecosystem provided by the EIC, including Business Acceleration Services and the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, which provides privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes and investors.

5. Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Apply

The EIC STEP Scale Up call has specific eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for funding. These criteria are designed to ensure that the program supports the most promising companies with the highest potential for impact in strategic technology areas while maintaining alignment with European strategic interests and objectives.

Primary eligibility is extended to a single company classified as an SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) that is established within a Member State or an Associated Country. The company may have a holding entity for the purposes of the investment, and this holding company must also be established in a Member State or an Associated Country. This requirement ensures that the benefits of the investment remain within the European economic area.

An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap as defined above, provided that a prior agreement exists with the company. In such cases, the investment agreement will be signed with the selected SME or small mid-cap, ensuring that the funding directly benefits the target company while allowing for investor facilitation of the application process.

Applicants must demonstrate that their innovation falls within the scope of the priority areas defined in the STEP regulation and further developed in the Guidance note. These priority areas include digital technologies and deep tech innovations, clean and resource efficient technologies including net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies. The innovation must be deemed critical where it meets either of the following conditions: it brings to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential, or it contributes to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union.

A critical eligibility requirement is the demonstration of initial market interest through a pre-commitment from a single investor. This pre-commitment must come from an investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology, and jurisdiction, and the investor must be subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) verification by the EIC Fund or the European Investment Fund (EIF). The pre-committed investor may be an existing investor in the company and does not necessarily need to be the investor who intends to lead the investment round.

The pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round the company is aiming to raise. This requirement ensures that there is substantial market validation and commitment from the private sector before public funding is provided, demonstrating that the company has attracted significant interest from experienced investors.

Applicants must be raising significant funding rounds and demonstrate that the EIC investment will act as a catalyst for larger funding rounds. The target funding round must range between EUR 50 to EUR 150 million and be at least 3-5 times the EIC investment amount. This requirement ensures that the EIC investment leverages substantial additional private sector capital.

Companies must demonstrate that the successful commercialization and scaling of their technology or innovation represents significant risks that mean it cannot be sufficiently financed from market investors alone. This addresses the market failure that the program is designed to address, ensuring that only companies with genuine funding gaps are supported.

Applicants must have developed a game-changing innovative technology focused on the development and commercialization of a strategic technology for Europe. The technology must have breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions, positioning the company at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends.

Companies must have already secured an initial investment, demonstrating that they have passed the early-stage funding phase and are now ready for significant scale-up funding. This requirement ensures that the program supports companies that have already demonstrated viability and market potential.

Applicants must be committed to keeping most of their value, including their intellectual property, in the EU or in Associated Countries. This requirement is crucial for ensuring that European investments contribute to economic growth and job creation within Europe while protecting European technological assets and competitive advantages.

Companies must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or a legal entity established in a non-associated third country. This provision aligns with Article 136 of the Financial Regulation and protects European strategic interests by ensuring that supported companies remain under European control.

Applicants must be willing to engage with the comprehensive support ecosystem provided by the EIC, including Business Acceleration Services and the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal. This requirement ensures that companies benefit from the full range of support available through the EIC framework.

Finally, applicants must be prepared to undergo thorough due diligence processes, including ownership control assessments and technology due diligence conducted by suitably qualified external experts. This ensures that all aspects of the company and its technology are thoroughly evaluated before investment decisions are made.

6. Priority Technology Areas

The EIC STEP Scale Up call focuses on three critical priority technology areas that are deemed essential for Europe's strategic interests, technological sovereignty, and competitive position in the global technology landscape. These areas are specifically defined in the STEP regulation and represent technologies where there is a need to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union.

The first priority area encompasses digital technologies and deep tech innovations. This broad category includes advanced semiconductor technologies, artificial intelligence technologies, quantum technologies, advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies, advanced sensing technologies, robotics and autonomous systems, and deep tech innovations. These technologies are fundamental to Europe's digital transformation and technological leadership in the digital age.

The second priority area focuses on clean and resource efficient technologies, including net-zero technologies. This comprehensive category includes solar technologies, onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies, battery and energy storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal technologies, hydrogen technologies, sustainable biogas and biomethane technologies, carbon capture and storage technologies, electricity grid technologies, nuclear fission technologies, sustainable alternative fuel technologies, hydropower technologies, other renewable technologies, energy system-related energy efficiency technologies, renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies, biotech climate and energy solutions, transformative industrial technologies for decarbonisation, CO2 transport and utilisation technologies, wind and electric propulsion technologies, other nuclear technologies, advanced materials, manufacturing and recycling technologies, technologies vital to sustainability such as water purification and desalination, and circular economy technologies.

The third priority area covers biotechnologies, including medicinal products on the Union list of critical medicines and their components. This includes DNA/RNA technologies, proteins and other molecules, cell and tissue culture and engineering, process biotechnology techniques, gene and RNA vectors, bioinformatics, and nanobiotechnology. These technologies are crucial for Europe's health security and pharmaceutical independence.

These technologies are deemed critical where they meet either of the following conditions: they bring to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential, or they contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union. The Commission Guidance Note concerning certain provisions of the STEP Regulation, adopted in May 2024, provides detailed information on the criticality conditions that determine whether a technology qualifies for support under the EIC STEP Scale Up call.

The priority technology areas are designed to align with Europe's strategic interests and security priorities, including support for the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. This includes technologies that contribute to multi-country projects as defined in Article 2(2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481, ensuring that the program supports technologies that foster European cooperation and integration.

In 2026, the program places particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in semiconductor technologies and quantum technologies through the STEP Scale Up call, which foresees larger investments targeting strategic technologies including support for the Chips Act. This focus reflects Europe's strategic priorities in maintaining technological sovereignty in critical areas where the Union has identified significant dependencies on non-EU sources.

The priority technology areas are designed to support the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union and to safeguard and strengthen their respective value chains. This includes technologies that contribute to building robust European technology ecosystems and supply chains, reducing vulnerabilities and dependencies on external sources.

Companies operating in these priority technology areas must demonstrate that their innovations have breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions. The technologies must be positioned at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends, ensuring that Europe maintains its position as a global technology leader.

The priority technology areas are also designed to support technologies that have the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU, fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion. This includes technologies that contribute to Europe's broader strategic objectives of maintaining competitiveness and technological leadership.

Finally, the priority technology areas are aligned with the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas, ensuring that the EIC STEP Scale Up call supports technologies that are identified as strategically important for Europe's future competitiveness and security. This alignment ensures that the program contributes to Europe's broader strategic technology objectives.

7. Digital Technologies and Deep Tech

Digital technologies and deep tech innovations represent one of the three critical priority areas for the EIC STEP Scale Up call, encompassing a broad range of cutting-edge technologies that are fundamental to Europe's digital transformation and technological leadership in the digital age. This category includes technologies that contribute to the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 and support multi-country projects as defined in Article 2(2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481.

Advanced semiconductor technologies form a core component of this priority area, reflecting Europe's strategic focus on reducing dependencies on non-EU sources for critical semiconductor components. This includes technologies related to semiconductor design, manufacturing, packaging, and testing, as well as specialized semiconductor technologies for specific applications such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics. In 2026, the program places particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in semiconductor technologies through the STEP Scale Up call, which foresees larger investments targeting strategic technologies including support for the Chips Act.

Artificial intelligence technologies represent another critical component of the digital technologies priority area. This includes machine learning algorithms, neural networks, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics and autonomous systems, and other AI applications that have the potential to transform industries and create new markets. The program supports AI technologies that demonstrate breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions, positioning companies at the cutting edge of AI innovation.

Quantum technologies encompass quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum cryptography. These emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionize computing, communication, and security, representing one of the most promising areas for breakthrough innovation. In 2026, the program places particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in quantum technologies through the STEP Scale Up call, reflecting Europe's strategic priorities in maintaining technological sovereignty in this critical area.

Advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies include 5G and beyond 5G technologies, satellite navigation systems, digital infrastructure, and next-generation communication networks. These technologies are essential for Europe's digital infrastructure and connectivity, supporting the development of smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The program supports technologies that contribute to building robust European digital infrastructure and reducing dependencies on external sources.

Advanced sensing technologies include sensors, imaging systems, detection technologies, and measurement systems that enable new capabilities in various applications. This includes technologies for environmental monitoring, industrial automation, healthcare diagnostics, and security applications. The program supports sensing technologies that demonstrate innovative approaches to data collection and analysis, contributing to Europe's technological leadership in this field.

Robotics and autonomous systems represent a critical area where Europe seeks to maintain technological leadership. This includes industrial robotics, service robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other autonomous systems that can operate independently or with minimal human intervention. The program supports robotics technologies that demonstrate breakthrough capabilities in autonomy, safety, and efficiency.

Deep tech innovations encompass a broad range of technologies that are based on significant scientific or engineering breakthroughs. This includes technologies that combine multiple disciplines such as AI and robotics, quantum computing and cryptography, or biotechnology and digital technologies. The program supports deep tech innovations that demonstrate the potential to create entirely new markets or significantly transform existing ones.

Digital technologies that contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union are particularly prioritized under the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This includes technologies that enable Europe to maintain control over critical digital infrastructure, reduce reliance on non-EU technology providers, and build indigenous capabilities in key digital technology areas.

The program also supports digital technologies that bring to the internal market innovative, emerging and cutting-edge elements with significant economic potential. This includes technologies that have the potential to create new digital markets, transform existing industries through digitalization, and generate significant economic value for Europe.

Companies operating in the digital technologies and deep tech space must demonstrate that their innovations are positioned at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends. This includes technologies that address emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, data privacy, digital sovereignty, and the ethical use of AI and other digital technologies.

Finally, the program supports digital technologies that contribute to Europe's broader strategic objectives of maintaining competitiveness and technological leadership in the global digital economy. This includes technologies that enable European companies to compete effectively in global markets while maintaining European values and standards in digital technology development and deployment.

8. Clean and Resource Efficient Technologies

Clean and resource efficient technologies, including net-zero technologies, represent the second critical priority area for the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This comprehensive category encompasses a wide range of technologies essential for Europe's transition to a sustainable, climate-neutral economy and the achievement of the European Green Deal objectives. These technologies are crucial for reducing Europe's environmental footprint while maintaining economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

Solar technologies form a fundamental component of this priority area, including photovoltaic cells, solar thermal systems, concentrated solar power, and next-generation solar technologies such as perovskite solar cells and tandem solar cells. The program supports solar technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, contributing to Europe's renewable energy goals and reducing dependencies on fossil fuel imports.

Onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies include wind turbine technologies, floating wind platforms, and other offshore renewable energy systems. This encompasses innovations in turbine design, materials, control systems, and grid integration technologies. The program supports wind technologies that demonstrate significant improvements in efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly for challenging environments such as deep-water offshore locations.

Battery and energy storage technologies are critical for the integration of renewable energy sources and the electrification of transportation and industry. This includes lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, flow batteries, hydrogen storage systems, and other energy storage solutions. The program supports storage technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in energy density, safety, cost, and sustainability, contributing to Europe's energy security and climate objectives.

Heat pumps and geothermal technologies include air-source, ground-source, and water-source heat pumps, as well as geothermal energy extraction and utilization technologies. This encompasses innovations in heat pump efficiency, geothermal drilling technologies, and district heating systems. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for decarbonizing heating and cooling systems, which represent a significant portion of Europe's energy consumption.

Hydrogen technologies include hydrogen production through electrolysis, hydrogen storage and transportation, fuel cells, and hydrogen utilization in industrial processes. This encompasses both green hydrogen production from renewable energy and blue hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage. The program supports hydrogen technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in efficiency, cost, and scalability, contributing to Europe's hydrogen strategy and decarbonization objectives.

Sustainable biogas and biomethane technologies include anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, and biomethane injection into natural gas networks. This encompasses innovations in feedstock processing, gas purification, and utilization technologies. The program supports these technologies as they provide renewable alternatives to fossil fuels while contributing to waste management and circular economy objectives.

Carbon capture and storage technologies include point-source carbon capture, direct air capture, carbon utilization, and geological storage technologies. This encompasses innovations in capture efficiency, cost reduction, and integration with industrial processes. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for achieving net-zero emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, and chemicals.

Electricity grid technologies include smart grid systems, grid-scale energy storage, demand response technologies, and grid integration solutions for renewable energy sources. This encompasses innovations in grid management, cybersecurity, and resilience. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for the reliable and efficient operation of electricity systems with high renewable energy penetration.

Nuclear fission technologies include advanced nuclear reactor designs, nuclear fuel cycle technologies, and nuclear waste management solutions. This encompasses innovations in safety, efficiency, and waste reduction. The program supports nuclear technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, contributing to Europe's energy security and climate objectives.

Sustainable alternative fuel technologies include biofuels, synthetic fuels, and other renewable fuel alternatives to fossil fuels. This encompasses innovations in fuel production, distribution, and utilization technologies. The program supports these technologies as they provide renewable alternatives for transportation and industrial applications where direct electrification may not be feasible.

Hydropower technologies include conventional hydropower, pumped storage, and emerging hydropower technologies such as tidal and wave energy. This encompasses innovations in turbine design, environmental impact mitigation, and grid integration. The program supports hydropower technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in efficiency, environmental compatibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Other renewable technologies include emerging renewable energy sources such as ocean energy, bioenergy, and other innovative renewable energy solutions. This encompasses technologies that may not fit into the traditional renewable energy categories but demonstrate significant potential for contributing to Europe's renewable energy objectives.

Energy system-related energy efficiency technologies include building energy management systems, industrial energy efficiency technologies, and energy-efficient appliances and equipment. This encompasses innovations in energy monitoring, control systems, and efficiency optimization. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for reducing energy consumption and improving the overall efficiency of energy systems.

Renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies include power-to-gas, power-to-liquid, and other synthetic fuel production technologies. This encompasses innovations in electrolysis, catalysis, and fuel synthesis processes. The program supports these technologies as they provide renewable alternatives for applications where direct electrification or biological fuels may not be suitable.

Biotech climate and energy solutions include biological approaches to carbon sequestration, bio-based materials, and biological energy production systems. This encompasses innovations in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and biological carbon capture. The program supports these technologies as they provide novel approaches to addressing climate change and energy challenges.

Transformative industrial technologies for decarbonisation include breakthrough technologies for reducing emissions in heavy industry, such as hydrogen-based steel production, carbon capture in cement production, and electrification of industrial processes. This encompasses innovations that can fundamentally transform industrial processes to achieve deep decarbonization.

CO2 transport and utilisation technologies include CO2 transportation infrastructure, CO2 utilization in chemical processes, and CO2-based materials production. This encompasses innovations in CO2 capture, transportation, and conversion into valuable products. The program supports these technologies as they provide pathways for utilizing captured CO2 and creating economic value from carbon emissions.

Wind and electric propulsion technologies include electric propulsion systems for aviation, maritime transport, and other transportation applications. This encompasses innovations in electric motors, power electronics, and propulsion system design. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for decarbonizing transportation sectors that are difficult to electrify through conventional means.

Other nuclear technologies include fusion energy, nuclear medicine, and other nuclear applications beyond electricity generation. This encompasses innovations in fusion reactor design, nuclear medicine technologies, and other nuclear applications. The program supports these technologies as they represent potential breakthrough approaches to energy production and other applications.

Advanced materials, manufacturing and recycling technologies include innovative materials for clean energy applications, sustainable manufacturing processes, and advanced recycling technologies. This encompasses innovations in material science, manufacturing efficiency, and circular economy solutions. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and enabling sustainable production systems.

Technologies vital to sustainability such as water purification and desalination include advanced water treatment technologies, desalination systems, and water management solutions. This encompasses innovations in membrane technology, energy-efficient desalination, and water reuse systems. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for addressing water scarcity and ensuring sustainable water management.

Circular economy technologies include waste reduction, material recovery, and circular design technologies. This encompasses innovations in waste sorting, material separation, and product design for circularity. The program supports these technologies as they are essential for transitioning to a circular economy and reducing resource consumption and waste generation.

Companies operating in the clean and resource efficient technologies space must demonstrate that their innovations contribute to Europe's climate and environmental objectives while maintaining economic competitiveness. The technologies must demonstrate breakthrough improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, positioning Europe as a global leader in clean technology development and deployment.

9. Biotechnologies

Biotechnologies represent the third critical priority area for the EIC STEP Scale Up call, encompassing a wide range of technologies that are essential for Europe's health security, pharmaceutical independence, and sustainable development. This category includes medicinal products on the Union list of critical medicines and their components, as well as other biotechnology applications that contribute to Europe's strategic objectives in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial processes.

DNA/RNA technologies form a fundamental component of this priority area, including gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, gene therapy approaches, DNA sequencing and analysis technologies, and RNA-based therapeutics. This encompasses innovations in precision medicine, genetic diagnostics, and therapeutic applications that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and treatment approaches. The program supports DNA/RNA technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in precision, safety, and therapeutic efficacy.

Proteins and other molecules include recombinant protein production, protein engineering, antibody technologies, and other biomolecular applications. This encompasses innovations in protein design, production systems, and therapeutic applications such as monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and other protein-based therapeutics. The program supports protein technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in production efficiency, therapeutic effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness.

Cell and tissue culture and engineering include stem cell technologies, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine approaches, and cell-based therapies. This encompasses innovations in cell culture systems, tissue scaffolds, and cell therapy applications for treating various diseases and conditions. The program supports cell and tissue technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in cell culture efficiency, tissue regeneration capabilities, and therapeutic applications.

Process biotechnology techniques include fermentation technologies, bioprocessing, and industrial biotechnology applications. This encompasses innovations in microbial fermentation, enzyme production, and bioconversion processes for producing chemicals, fuels, and materials. The program supports process biotechnology technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in efficiency, yield, and sustainability compared to traditional chemical processes.

Gene and RNA vectors include viral vectors, non-viral delivery systems, and other gene delivery technologies. This encompasses innovations in vector design, delivery efficiency, and safety for gene therapy and other genetic medicine applications. The program supports vector technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in delivery efficiency, safety, and therapeutic effectiveness.

Bioinformatics includes computational biology, genomics, proteomics, and other data-driven approaches to biological research and applications. This encompasses innovations in data analysis, machine learning applications in biology, and computational tools for drug discovery and development. The program supports bioinformatics technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in data analysis capabilities, predictive modeling, and biological insight generation.

Nanobiotechnology includes the application of nanotechnology to biological systems and processes. This encompasses innovations in nanoscale drug delivery systems, biosensors, and other nanobiotechnology applications. The program supports nanobiotechnology technologies that demonstrate breakthrough improvements in precision, efficiency, and therapeutic effectiveness.

Medicinal products on the Union list of critical medicines and their components represent a particularly important focus area within biotechnologies. This includes technologies for producing essential medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and drug delivery systems that are critical for Europe's health security and pharmaceutical independence. The program supports technologies that contribute to reducing Europe's dependence on non-EU sources for critical medicines and pharmaceutical components.

Biotechnologies that contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union are particularly prioritized under the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This includes technologies that enable Europe to maintain control over critical pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chains, reduce reliance on non-EU technology providers, and build indigenous capabilities in key biotechnology areas.

The program also supports biotechnologies that bring to the internal market innovative, emerging and cutting-edge elements with significant economic potential. This includes technologies that have the potential to create new markets in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology, transform existing industries through biotechnological approaches, and generate significant economic value for Europe.

Companies operating in the biotechnologies space must demonstrate that their innovations have breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions. The technologies must be positioned at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends, ensuring that Europe maintains its position as a global leader in biotechnology innovation.

Biotechnologies that contribute to Europe's health security and pharmaceutical independence are particularly valued under the program. This includes technologies that address critical healthcare challenges, improve access to essential medicines, and strengthen Europe's position in global pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets.

The program supports biotechnologies that have the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU, fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion. This includes technologies that contribute to Europe's broader strategic objectives of maintaining competitiveness and technological leadership in biotechnology.

Finally, the program supports biotechnologies that contribute to Europe's broader strategic objectives of maintaining competitiveness and technological leadership in the global biotechnology economy. This includes technologies that enable European companies to compete effectively in global markets while maintaining European values and standards in biotechnology development and deployment.

10. Funding Structure and Investment Component

The EIC STEP Scale Up call offers a distinctive funding structure that differs significantly from other EIC programs, focusing exclusively on equity investments rather than grant funding. This approach is designed to address the specific funding needs of scale-up companies that require substantial capital to achieve global market leadership in strategic technology areas.

The program provides a total indicative budget of EUR 300 million for 2026, which is expected to rise to EUR 900 million for the period 2025-2027. This substantial budget allocation reflects the strategic importance of the program and the significant funding requirements of scale-up companies in critical technology areas. Any unused amount from this budget will be allocated with priority to the EIC Accelerator Open call, ensuring efficient utilization of available funding.

The support provided under the EIC STEP Scale Up call is exclusively in the form of equity-only investments managed by the EIC Fund. Applicants to this call will not receive a grant component, distinguishing it from other EIC programs that combine grants and equity investments. This equity-only approach is designed to align the interests of the EIC Fund with those of the investee companies and other investors.

Applicants should apply for an investment of a minimum of EUR 10 million and maximum of EUR 30 million, representing a significant increase compared to the standard EIC Accelerator call which offers a minimum investment of EUR 1 million and maximum of EUR 10 million. This higher investment range reflects the scale-up nature of the companies targeted by the program and their substantial funding requirements.

The EIC investment is designed to co-invest in a funding round aiming at least three to five times the amount of the requested EIC contribution. This means that companies seeking EUR 10 million from the EIC should be targeting total funding rounds of EUR 30-50 million, while companies seeking EUR 30 million should be targeting rounds of EUR 90-150 million. This leverage requirement ensures that the EIC investment catalyzes substantial additional private sector capital.

The specific terms of each investment are considered and negotiated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the EIC Fund Investment Guidelines. This approach ensures that the investment is tailored to each company's specific needs while aligning with EIC's objectives and maintaining consistency with established investment practices. The flexibility in investment terms allows for customization based on the company's stage, technology, and market position.

The EIC Fund may join funding rounds that are ongoing, upcoming, or past, providing flexibility in timing and coordination with other investors. This flexibility allows the EIC Fund to participate in rounds that are already in progress or to catalyze new rounds, depending on the specific circumstances and needs of the investee company.

EIC STEP Scale Up is specifically designed to fill the funding gap for companies investing in the scale-up of high-risk innovations where the amount needed for the scale-up cannot be fully financed by other investors, including InvestEU implementing partners. This addresses a critical market failure where promising deep tech companies struggle to secure the substantial funding required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

Applicants are encouraged to consider complementarity with Venture Debt from InvestEU implementing partners in order to meet their financing needs. This approach allows companies to combine equity investment from the EIC Fund with debt financing from InvestEU partners, providing a more comprehensive financing solution that addresses both equity and debt requirements.

Where necessary, the EIC Fund will be requested to take appropriate safeguard measures for individual companies on a case-by-case basis in order to protect European interests as defined in the Investment Guidelines. These safeguards may include provisions related to intellectual property protection, technology transfer restrictions, and other measures designed to protect European strategic interests.

An award decision will be adopted by the Commission, which will authorize a maximum amount of investment by the EIC Fund. This authorization will follow the amount requested in the application, with an additional flexibility amount of maximum EUR 5 million per proposal. The flexibility amount is designed to enable the EIC Fund to make an investment decision for a higher amount than requested if justified to take account of developments of the company since the date of application and the opportunity of catalyzing a larger overall funding round with co-investors.

The additional flexibility amount may only be used if there are sufficient amounts available on the EIC Fund accounts, such as due to budget available from other investments. This ensures that the flexibility is used responsibly and within the overall budget constraints of the program.

Investment amounts authorized in the Commission Award Decision are subject to successful completion of the due diligence and negotiation by the EIC Fund according to the Investment Guidelines. Investment amounts may be reduced or rejected by the EIC Fund for justified reasons, ensuring that only investments that meet the Fund's risk and return requirements proceed to completion.

Beyond the equity investment, companies selected under the EIC STEP Scale Up call will benefit from a strong support system that fosters their continued growth within Europe through Business Acceleration Services. This comprehensive support ecosystem provides access to coaching, mentoring, expertise, and ecosystem partners, ensuring that companies receive not only financial backing but also strategic support for their growth and development.

Applicants to the EIC STEP Scale Up call who meet the evaluation thresholds will also be awarded a Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, which facilitates and provides privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes and other funders and investors. This seal creates additional opportunities for companies to access complementary funding and support beyond the initial EIC investment.

11. Application Process and Timeline

The EIC STEP Scale Up call operates on a continuous submission basis, allowing applicants to submit their proposals at any time throughout the year. This flexible approach provides companies with the opportunity to apply when they are ready and have secured the necessary pre-commitments and documentation, rather than being constrained by fixed deadlines.

The evaluations of applications submitted will be organized with one cut-off per quarter, ensuring regular assessment and decision-making processes. This quarterly evaluation schedule provides applicants with predictable timelines while allowing the EIC to manage the evaluation workload effectively and ensure thorough assessment of each proposal.

All proposals must be submitted via the Funding and Tenders Portal, which serves as the official submission platform for the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This centralized submission system ensures consistency in the application process and provides a secure platform for handling sensitive business information and documentation.

To be deemed admissible and eligible, proposals must consist of several mandatory components. The first component is a full business plan, including information on the company's ownership and financial structure and a justification on the STEP-related objectives. This business plan has a maximum length of 50 pages and must provide comprehensive information about the company's business model, market opportunity, competitive position, and strategic objectives.

The second mandatory component is a pitch-deck in PDF format with a maximum of 15 pages. This pitch-deck will be presented to the jury if the applicant is invited to an interview, making it a crucial document for communicating the company's value proposition and investment opportunity to the evaluation panel.

The third mandatory component is a pre-commitment from a single investor, which must be submitted according to a template available on the EIC website. This pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round, which must range between EUR 50 to EUR 150 million, and be at least 3-5 times the EIC investment amount. The pre-commitment serves as a critical validation of market interest and investor confidence in the company's potential.

The fourth mandatory component is a financial plan and consent document, which must be submitted according to a template available on the EIC website. This document provides detailed financial projections, funding requirements, and use of funds, as well as the necessary consents for the EIC Fund to conduct due diligence and potentially make an investment.

The fifth mandatory component is an ownership control declaration, which provides information about the company's ownership structure and confirms compliance with the requirement that the company is not directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or a legal entity established in a non-associated third country.

The sixth mandatory component is the results of the freedom to operate (FTO) analysis. If the company does not have a formal FTO analysis, applicants must upload a note of maximum 2 pages outlining their freedom to operate and providing as much information as possible on this issue. In cases where the FTO is not relevant (e.g., software), applicants may upload a simple statement explaining why the analysis is not applicable.

The seventh mandatory component is CVs of key personnel, providing information about the management team and key employees who will be responsible for implementing the company's growth and development plans. This information helps the evaluation panel assess the team's capabilities and experience.

All personal data and information in the proposal will be kept strictly confidential. However, before submitting the full proposal, applicants will need to give consent to share necessary information with the EIC Fund. This consent is essential for enabling the EIC Fund to conduct the necessary due diligence and potentially proceed with an investment.

As part of the application, applicants will be asked whether their company would be interested in Venture Debt support from InvestEU implementing partners if the company is awarded a Sovereignty (STEP) Seal. This question helps the EIC identify companies that could benefit from complementary debt financing alongside the equity investment.

Upon submission, the proposal will be assessed to determine if it meets the eligibility criteria set out in the call documentation. This assessment includes verification of whether the proposal falls within the scope of the STEP technologies, confirmation of the pre-commitment from a single investor, and validation of the eligibility of the applicant entity.

In cases where a Technology Due Diligence report is not already available, this will be conducted by a suitably qualified external expert. This due diligence process ensures that the technology and innovation aspects of the proposal are thoroughly evaluated by experts with relevant technical expertise.

If the application meets all the eligibility requirements, the applicant will be invited to attend a jury interview. It is expected that applicants will be informed about the interview within approximately 4-6 weeks from the start of the evaluation process. This timeline provides sufficient time for thorough evaluation while ensuring timely communication with applicants.

At the interview, the applicant will be assessed by a Jury of maximum six members. The interview provides an opportunity for the jury to ask questions, seek clarifications, and assess the applicant's presentation and responses. Detailed information about the format of the interview will be communicated to the applicant in the invitation.

Applicants will be informed about the result of the interview within approximately two weeks from the date of the interview. This timeline ensures that applicants receive timely feedback on their proposals and can plan accordingly for their next steps.

If the applicant is successful, an ownership control assessment will be conducted to assess the eligibility of the company to receive EIC STEP Scale Up support. This assessment ensures compliance with the requirement that supported companies remain under European control and are not subject to non-EU influence.

An award decision will be adopted by the Commission, which will authorize a maximum amount of investment by the EIC Fund. This authorization will follow the amount requested in the application, with an additional flexibility amount of maximum EUR 5 million per proposal. The flexibility amount enables the EIC Fund to make an investment decision for a higher amount than requested if justified by developments since the application date.

The relevant information from the proposal will be passed to the investment adviser for the EIC Fund to proceed with the detailed due diligence. Subject to a positive due diligence and subsequent EIC Fund Investment Committee decision, the investment agreement will be negotiated and finalized.

If the applicant has expressed an interest and given consent, and the company has been awarded a Sovereignty (STEP) Seal following the evaluation, the relevant information from the proposal will be passed to the relevant InvestEU implementing partners to consider for Venture Debt support. This process enables companies to access complementary financing options beyond the equity investment.

12. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

The EIC STEP Scale Up call utilizes a "first come, first served" approach to evaluate proposals, ensuring that applications are assessed in the order they are received. However, juries will be asked to take account of overall budget availability for the full year and will be limited to recommend proposals amounting to no more than 70% of the available budget for the calendar year within the first six months of the year. This approach ensures balanced allocation of funding throughout the year and prevents early exhaustion of the budget.

The Jury will be informed about budget availability, including additional amounts that may be available due to previous amounts awarded that were not fully used. This transparency ensures that the jury has complete information about available funding when making recommendations, enabling informed decision-making about which proposals to support.

Proposals will be assessed according to specific award criteria that are designed to evaluate the excellence, impact, and implementation potential of each application. The EIC Jury may focus the interview on any element of the proposal based on its own assessment, ensuring that the evaluation process is thorough and addresses any areas of concern or interest.

The EIC Jury members, based on the interview and their overall assessment, will recommend one of three outcomes for each proposal. The first outcome is "GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal," which indicates that the proposal meets all of the evaluation criteria and is recommended for a potential equity investment. The Jury may provide observations for consideration by the EIC Fund regarding the investment amount or other considerations for the investment decision or management.

The Jury may recommend a different investment amount than requested by the applicant in line with the call's requirements. It is important to remember that investment amounts authorized in the Commission Award Decision are subject to successful completion of the due diligence and negotiation by the EIC Fund according to the Investment Guidelines, and investment amounts may be reduced or rejected by the EIC Fund for justified reasons.

Proposals that receive a "GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal" recommendation will also be awarded the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal and will have access to Business Acceleration Services. This comprehensive support package ensures that successful companies receive not only financial backing but also strategic support for their growth and development.

The second possible outcome is "NO GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal," which indicates that the proposal meets the main elements of the award criteria, including the contribution to the STEP objectives, but is not recommended for funding based on the jury's overall consideration of the submitted proposals and due to the lack of budget availability. This outcome recognizes the quality of the proposal while acknowledging budget constraints.

Proposals that receive a "NO GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal" recommendation will be awarded the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal and access to Business Acceleration Services. This ensures that companies with promising technologies and strong proposals receive recognition and support even when direct funding is not available due to budget limitations.

The third possible outcome is "NO GO," which indicates that the proposal does not meet all the evaluation criteria required for funding. Applicants who receive this outcome will receive detailed feedback outlining the areas where their proposal fell short to help them improve for future applications. This constructive feedback is designed to help companies strengthen their proposals and increase their chances of success in future applications.

The Jury may also provide recommendations regarding a potential resubmission, or not, of the application and improvements needed. This guidance helps companies understand whether their proposal has potential for success with modifications or whether they should focus on other opportunities.

The evaluation criteria are organized into three main categories: Excellence, Impact, and Level of risk, implementation, and need for Union support. Each category contains specific elements that are assessed during the evaluation process.

Under the Excellence category, the first element is "Novelty and breakthrough character of the innovation," which evaluates whether the innovation has breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions. This assessment ensures that the program supports truly innovative technologies that represent significant advances over current solutions.

The second element under Excellence is "Timing," which evaluates whether the innovation is at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends. This assessment ensures that the program supports technologies that are well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities and address current challenges.

The third element under Excellence is "Technological feasibility," which evaluates whether the technology has been developed in a safe, secure, and reliable manner and whether it has been adequately assessed, validated, or certified. This assessment ensures that the program supports technologies that are technically sound and ready for commercialization.

The fourth element under Excellence is "Intellectual Property Strategy," which evaluates whether the company has the necessary Intellectual Property Rights to ensure adequate protection of the idea and whether a freedom to operate analysis has been carried out. This assessment ensures that the company has properly protected its innovations and can operate without infringing on others' intellectual property.

Under the Impact category, the first element is "Market development," which evaluates whether the innovation has the potential to trigger customer demand and develop new markets or significantly transform existing ones, whether the potential market for the innovation has been adequately quantified, and whether the expected market share acquisition is reasonably ambitious and reachable.

The second element under Impact is "Commercialisation strategy," which evaluates whether there is a convincing and well thought-through strategy for commercialisation, including regulatory approvals/compliance needed, time to market/deployment, and business and revenue model, and whether the key partners have been identified and committed.

The third element under Impact is "Scale up potential," which evaluates whether the innovation has the potential to scale up the company and to become a global leader in the technology. This assessment ensures that the program supports companies with the potential to achieve significant market impact and global leadership.

The fourth element under Impact is "Broader impact," which evaluates whether the innovation, if successfully commercialised, will achieve positive broader societal, economic, environmental, or climate impacts, and whether it has the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU, fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion.

The fifth element under Impact is "STEP Impact," which evaluates whether the innovation has a clear and measurable positive impact on the EU Single Market, either by strengthening its competitiveness or reducing strategic dependencies. This assessment ensures that the program supports technologies that contribute to Europe's strategic objectives.

Under the Level of risk, implementation, and need for Union support category, the first element is "Team," which evaluates whether the team has the capability and motivation to implement the innovation proposal and bring it to the market, and whether there is a plan to acquire any critical competencies which are currently missing, including adequate representation of women and men.

The second element under this category is "Risk level of the investment," which evaluates whether the nature and level of risk of the investment in the innovation mean that European market actors are unwilling to commit the full amount that is needed without an investment from the EIC Fund, and whether there is evidence that market actors would be willing to invest, either alongside the EIC or at a later stage.

The third element under this category is "Risk mitigation," which evaluates whether the main risks (e.g., technological, market, financial, regulatory) have been identified, together with measures to take to mitigate them. This assessment ensures that companies have properly assessed and planned for the risks associated with their innovation and growth plans.

The fourth element under this category is "Investment leverage," which evaluates whether the proposal provides a convincing and realistic plan for raising an equity financing round using the EIC Fund investment to attract 3-5 times the amount from other investors, what the anticipated timeline is for concluding the financing round, how many investors have committed or are engaged in advanced discussions, and how pressing the timeline is for finalising this deal.

13. Pre-commitment Requirements

The pre-commitment requirement represents one of the most critical eligibility criteria for the EIC STEP Scale Up call, serving as a key validation mechanism to ensure that companies have secured substantial market interest and investor confidence before receiving public funding. This requirement is designed to demonstrate that the EIC investment will act as a catalyst for larger funding rounds and that there is genuine market validation of the company's potential.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have secured a pre-commitment from a single investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology, and jurisdiction. This requirement ensures that the pre-committed investor has the necessary expertise and experience to properly evaluate the company's technology, market opportunity, and growth potential. The investor must be subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) verification by the EIC Fund or the European Investment Fund (EIF), ensuring that the investor meets the required standards for financial capacity and regulatory compliance.

The pre-committed investor may be an existing investor in the company and does not necessarily need to be the investor who intends to lead the investment round. This flexibility allows companies to leverage existing investor relationships while still meeting the pre-commitment requirement. The key requirement is that the investor has demonstrable expertise and experience in the relevant areas and is willing to provide the required pre-commitment.

The pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round the company is aiming to raise. This substantial commitment requirement ensures that there is significant market validation and investor confidence in the company's potential. The target funding round must range between EUR 50 to EUR 150 million and be at least 3-5 times the EIC investment amount, ensuring that the EIC investment catalyzes substantial additional private sector capital.

The pre-commitment must be submitted according to a template available on the EIC website, ensuring consistency in the documentation and evaluation process. This template provides a standardized format for pre-commitment documentation, making it easier for the EIC to evaluate and validate the commitment.

The investment adviser to the EIC Fund may be requested to support the eligibility assessment regarding the pre-commitment from an investor. This involvement ensures that the pre-commitment is properly validated and that the investor meets the required criteria for experience, financial capacity, and regulatory compliance. The investment adviser's expertise helps ensure that only qualified investors with genuine commitment are accepted.

The pre-commitment serves as a critical validation mechanism that demonstrates initial market interest and investor confidence in the company's potential. This requirement ensures that there is substantial market validation before public funding is provided, reducing the risk of supporting companies that lack genuine market interest or investor confidence.

The pre-commitment requirement is designed to ensure that the EIC investment acts as a catalyst for larger funding rounds, leveraging the EIC investment to attract significant additional private sector capital. This approach maximizes the impact of public funding by ensuring that it catalyzes substantial private sector investment rather than replacing it.

The requirement that the pre-commitment represents at least 20% of the total target funding round ensures that there is significant investor commitment and confidence in the company's potential. This substantial commitment requirement helps ensure that the company has attracted genuine interest from experienced investors who are willing to make a significant financial commitment.

The pre-commitment must come from an investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology, and jurisdiction. This requirement ensures that the investor has the necessary expertise to properly evaluate the company's technology, market opportunity, and growth potential. The investor's expertise helps validate the company's technology and business model.

The KYC verification requirement ensures that the investor meets the required standards for financial capacity and regulatory compliance. This verification process helps ensure that only qualified investors with genuine financial capacity and regulatory compliance are accepted, reducing the risk of fraudulent or inadequate commitments.

The flexibility regarding whether the pre-committed investor is an existing investor or the lead investor allows companies to leverage existing investor relationships while still meeting the pre-commitment requirement. This flexibility recognizes that companies may have existing investors who are willing to provide the required pre-commitment.

The pre-commitment requirement is part of the broader approach to ensuring that the EIC STEP Scale Up call supports companies that have genuine market validation and investor confidence. This requirement helps ensure that the program supports companies that are well-positioned for success and have attracted genuine interest from experienced investors.

The requirement that the target funding round must range between EUR 50 to EUR 150 million and be at least 3-5 times the EIC investment amount ensures that the EIC investment catalyzes substantial additional private sector capital. This leverage requirement maximizes the impact of public funding and ensures that companies have access to the substantial capital required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

The pre-commitment requirement is designed to address the market failure that the EIC STEP Scale Up call is designed to address. By requiring substantial market validation before providing public funding, the program ensures that it supports companies that have genuine funding gaps that cannot be filled by the market alone.

Finally, the pre-commitment requirement helps ensure that the EIC STEP Scale Up call supports companies that are well-positioned for success and have attracted genuine interest from experienced investors. This requirement helps ensure that the program supports companies that are likely to achieve significant market impact and contribute to Europe's strategic objectives.

14. Economic Security and Safeguards

The EIC STEP Scale Up call incorporates comprehensive economic security and safeguards to protect Europe's strategic interests, technological sovereignty, and competitive position in critical technology areas. These safeguards are designed to ensure that European investments contribute to strengthening Europe's technological capabilities while preventing the transfer of strategic assets to non-EU entities that could pose risks to Europe's security and economic interests.

In order to achieve the expected outcomes and safeguard the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, it is important to avoid a situation of technological dependency on a non-EU source. The global context requires the EU to take action to build on its strengths and to carefully assess and address any strategic weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and high-risk dependencies that put at risk the attainment of its ambitions. The scope of the EIC STEP Scale Up call follows the identification of priority technology areas where there is a need to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union, in line with EU strategic and security interests.

For this reason, and in line with Article 136 of the Financial Regulation, recipients of the Accelerator funding under the EIC STEP Scale Up call must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or a legal entity established in a non-associated third country. This provision ensures that European public funding supports companies that remain under European control and are not subject to influence from non-EU entities that could pose risks to Europe's strategic interests.

Furthermore, in case of an investment support, specific safeguards may be introduced in the investment agreement to protect European interests. These safeguards are designed to ensure that supported companies maintain their value, including their intellectual property, in the EU or in Associated Countries, contributing to economic growth and job creation within Europe while protecting European technological assets and competitive advantages.

When implementing investments, the EIC Fund will ensure that supported companies keep most of their value, including their intellectual property, in the EU or in Associated Countries. This requirement is crucial for ensuring that European investments contribute to economic growth and job creation within Europe while protecting European technological assets and competitive advantages. The EIC Fund will be requested to take appropriate safeguard measures for individual companies on a case-by-case basis in order to protect European interests as defined in the Investment Guidelines.

The economic security and safeguards framework is designed to protect Europe's strategic interests in critical technology areas, including advanced semiconductor technologies, artificial intelligence technologies, quantum technologies, and other areas identified in the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas. These technologies are deemed critical for Europe's strategic interests and security, and the safeguards ensure that European investments in these areas remain under European control.

The safeguards also apply to companies operating in the four priority technology areas defined in the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas, namely: advanced semiconductors technologies, artificial intelligence technologies, quantum technologies, and biotechnologies. These areas are identified as strategically important for Europe's future competitiveness and security, and the safeguards ensure that European investments in these areas are protected.

In cases where projects involve specific technologies listed in the second column of the Annex to Commission Recommendation C(2023)6689, additional safeguards may be applied. This recommendation identifies specific technologies that are deemed critical for Europe's strategic interests and security, and the EIC STEP Scale Up call incorporates additional safeguards for investments in these technologies.

The economic security and safeguards framework is designed to ensure that European investments contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union. This includes technologies that enable Europe to maintain control over critical technology supply chains, reduce reliance on non-EU technology providers, and build indigenous capabilities in key technology areas.

The safeguards also ensure that European investments support technologies that bring to the internal market innovative, emerging and cutting-edge elements with significant economic potential. This includes technologies that have the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU, fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion while maintaining European control over strategic assets.

The economic security and safeguards framework is aligned with Europe's broader strategic objectives of maintaining technological sovereignty and reducing dependencies on non-EU sources for critical technologies. This alignment ensures that the EIC STEP Scale Up call contributes to Europe's strategic objectives while protecting European interests and assets.

The safeguards are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different circumstances and technologies, allowing for case-by-case assessment and application of appropriate measures. This flexibility ensures that the safeguards can be tailored to the specific characteristics and risks associated with different technologies and companies while maintaining the overall objective of protecting European strategic interests.

The economic security and safeguards framework is implemented through the investment agreement and other contractual arrangements between the EIC Fund and investee companies. These agreements include specific provisions designed to protect European interests and ensure compliance with the safeguards framework.

The safeguards also include provisions for monitoring and enforcement, ensuring that companies receiving EIC STEP Scale Up support comply with the economic security requirements throughout the investment period. This monitoring and enforcement framework helps ensure that European interests are protected over the long term.

Finally, the economic security and safeguards framework is designed to be consistent with other EU policies and initiatives aimed at protecting Europe's strategic interests and technological sovereignty. This consistency ensures that the EIC STEP Scale Up call contributes to Europe's broader strategic objectives while maintaining alignment with other EU initiatives.

15. Sovereignty (STEP) Seal

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal represents a prestigious recognition awarded to companies that meet the evaluation thresholds under the EIC STEP Scale Up call, providing them with privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes and investors. This seal serves as a quality mark that identifies companies with promising technologies and strong proposals, even when direct funding is not available due to budget limitations.

Applicants to the EIC STEP Scale Up call who meet the evaluation thresholds will be awarded the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, which facilitates and provides privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes and other funders and investors. This seal creates additional opportunities for companies to access complementary funding and support beyond the initial EIC investment, expanding their access to the broader European innovation ecosystem.

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal is awarded to companies that receive a "GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal" recommendation from the EIC Jury, indicating that their proposal meets all of the evaluation criteria and is recommended for a potential equity investment. These companies will also have access to Business Acceleration Services, ensuring comprehensive support for their growth and development.

The seal is also awarded to companies that receive a "NO GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal" recommendation, which indicates that the proposal meets the main elements of the award criteria, including the contribution to the STEP objectives, but is not recommended for funding based on the jury's overall consideration of the submitted proposals and due to the lack of budget availability. This ensures that companies with promising technologies and strong proposals receive recognition and support even when direct funding is not available.

As STEP Seal beneficiaries, companies might be requested to provide additional documentation for the sake of an Ownership and Control Assessment where there is such requirement. This assessment ensures compliance with the requirement that supported companies remain under European control and are not subject to non-EU influence, maintaining the integrity of the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal.

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal provides companies with access to Business Acceleration Services, including coaching, mentoring, expertise, and ecosystem partners. This comprehensive support ecosystem ensures that companies receive strategic support for their growth and development, complementing any financial backing they may receive.

The seal facilitates privileged access to funding and support from other EU programmes, enabling companies to access complementary funding sources beyond the EIC STEP Scale Up call. This access helps companies secure the comprehensive financing they need for their growth and development plans.

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal also provides access to other funders and investors, expanding companies' networks and increasing their visibility within the European investment community. This increased visibility can help companies attract additional investment and strategic partnerships.

Companies awarded the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal are listed through a digital platform that showcases all EIC Accelerator, Transition, EIC STEP Scaleup and Pre-Accelerator companies. This platform provides visibility and networking opportunities for companies, helping them connect with potential partners, customers, and investors.

The seal serves as a quality mark that identifies companies with promising technologies and strong proposals, even when direct funding is not available due to budget limitations. This recognition helps companies maintain momentum and attract alternative sources of funding and support.

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal is designed to support companies that contribute to Europe's strategic objectives of maintaining technological sovereignty and reducing dependencies on non-EU sources for critical technologies. This focus ensures that the seal supports companies that align with Europe's broader strategic interests.

The seal provides companies with access to one-to-one services to find co-investors through the digital platform listing all EIC Accelerator, Transition, EIC STEP Scaleup and Pre-Accelerator companies. This service helps companies connect with potential co-investors and expand their investor network.

The Sovereignty (STEP) Seal is awarded based on the evaluation criteria used for the EIC STEP Scale Up call, ensuring that only companies with strong proposals and promising technologies receive this recognition. This quality control ensures that the seal maintains its value and credibility within the European innovation ecosystem.

The seal is designed to be consistent with other EU recognition mechanisms, such as the Seal of Excellence, providing companies with a comprehensive recognition framework that supports their growth and development within the European innovation ecosystem.

Finally, the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal represents Europe's commitment to supporting companies that contribute to its strategic objectives while providing them with the recognition and support they need to succeed in the global marketplace. This commitment ensures that Europe maintains its position as a global leader in innovation and technology development.

16. Business Acceleration Services

Beyond funding, companies selected under the EIC STEP Scale Up call will benefit from a strong support system that fosters their continued growth within Europe through comprehensive Business Acceleration Services (BAS). These services provide EIC Awardees and other eligible organisations with the skills, knowledge, and contacts they need to bring their innovations to the market and grow their businesses, representing a distinctive feature of the EIC that enables it to provide not only "money," but "smart money."

The Business Acceleration Services are also used by EIC Programme Managers and EIC Project Officers to proactively manage the EIC portfolios, ensuring that companies receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their growth journey. This proactive management approach helps companies maximize the value of their EIC support and achieve their growth objectives.

EIC Awardees that have been assessed under an EIC call within Horizon Europe (2021-2025), within EIC Accelerator, EIC Transition, EIC Pathfinder, EIC STEP Scaleup, and EIC Prizes including beneficiaries and associated partners of EIC grants and recipients of EIC Fund Investments are eligible for comprehensive BAS services. These services include 12 days of coaching and more if justified, the possibility to apply to all BAS activities (with subsequent selection applying), one-to-one investment readiness and outreach support for startups and SMEs, up to 50% co-funding of services from EIC ecosystem partners to a maximum value of €60,000 per beneficiary, and up to €60,000 support for pilots and testing with public and private buyers.

The BAS services funded through the work programmes are specifically tailored to EIC Awardees and seal-of-excellence holders needs and the changing nature of markets and overall economic environment. The flexibility for piloting new services and approaches and adapting or even stopping the ones that are not efficient is built in all BAS implementing contracts, ensuring that the services remain relevant and effective in supporting companies' growth and development.

Unless otherwise specified in the specific calls, eligible entities can apply to EIC's BAS services through open calls published on the EIC Community Platform. The selection is done based on assessment from business partners or market experts or on a first come first served basis, ensuring fair and efficient access to the services.

The BAS services funded through the EIC work programmes cover coaching, support to attend European and international business trade fairs and expand business in new global markets (Global Business Expansion Programme), support to pilot and close deals with corporates (EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0), training and support for start-ups and SMEs in winning contracts from public and private sector innovation procurement tenders and funding to test products with innovation procurers (EIC Innovation Procurement Programme), strengthen skills, knowledge and network needed to scale up (EIC Scaling Club 2.0), dedicated support for female founders (The EIC Women Leadership Programme), dedicated Business and Innovation Acceleration Services to EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition beneficiaries supporting transition from lab to market (Tech2Market BAS), visibility of beneficiaries and one-to-one services to find co-investors through a digital platform listing all EIC Accelerator, Transition, EIC STEP Scaleup and Pre-Accelerator companies, and support in Environmental, Social and Governance related reporting (EIC GHG Tool).

In addition to the BAS services funded through the EIC work programmes, the services provided by EIC Ecosystem partners offer eligible entities access to an even larger portfolio of high quality, topic, or sector specific services from service providers from all over Europe. These services include incubation and acceleration programmes, legal and IP expertise, access to testing and research infrastructure, matchmaking with large corporates and investors, and many more.

The services from EIC Ecosystem partners can be accessed through the EIC Service Catalogue, which provides information about the services, conditions to apply, and eventual costs. This catalogue serves as a comprehensive resource for companies seeking additional support and services beyond the core BAS offerings.

The EIC BAS services and the infrastructure to provide access to EIC Ecosystem partners are funded through multi-year procurements, expert contracts (coaching), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) some of which were financed through previous Work Programmes. This funding approach ensures the sustainability and continuity of the BAS services.

Business coaching focuses on providing insights on business development and guidance to improve business performance. EIC coaching is a mandatory part of EIC funding, and beneficiaries are encouraged to choose their coach/coaches early in their project to maximise the benefits. Coaching topics cover the entire entrepreneurial and innovation endeavour from challenging the value proposition and business model, IP management, data protection, improving strategy and investor business case, building the team and leadership, to international expansion.

EIC business coaching is provided to eligible entities at the full proposal application stage for EIC Accelerator (three days of remote coaching), for EIC Awardees (twelve days of remote coaching accessible via an EIC Ecosystem Partner or directly from the EIC if no suitable alternative is available), and for other entities eligible to receive BAS services (three days of remote coaching). In exceptional cases, such as scaling up, coaching can be extended beyond the 12 days.

The eligible companies/teams will receive an invitation to use the Coach Matching Tool, which allows beneficiaries to find and select coaches that suit their needs. This tool ensures that companies are matched with coaches who have the relevant expertise and experience to support their specific growth and development needs.

In all cases, the EIC will request to the coach and coachee a structured coaching report/survey after the coaching has been provided, to ensure the services are of the highest quality. This feedback mechanism helps maintain the quality and effectiveness of the coaching services.

The EIC coaching services are provided by highly qualified business coaches selected against strict evaluation criteria included in the continuously open call for expression of interest in accordance with Article 242 of the Financial Regulation. New coaches are selected when necessary, and the selected coaches register their profile and expertise in the Commission's corporate database.

Applicants to provide EIC coaching services must have at least five years of professional experience as investor, board advisor or in managerial positions with responsibilities in developing business innovation, and at least five years of coaching experience supporting new business development within a corporate's departments or with startups. The fields of new business development include technical expertise as well as practical involvement on go-to-market processes, building/acquisition of strategic partnerships and organizational and financial development.

EIC business coaches have the task to support the recipients of BAS depending on their needs, assess with them improvement opportunities and assist them in their process of learning and solving complex business development issues. As highly qualified specialized business coaches, their fees will be proportionate to their high-level strategic support, and it will closely mirror the international level of fees for experts performing tasks of similar nature. EIC business coaches will receive EUR 1,000 per day of coaching (corresponding to EUR 500 per half day), which is considered to be proportionate to the specific services that EIC business coaches will provide, which are more complex than the standard tasks of experts evaluators.

Finally, the BAS services support participating companies' engagement in relevant scale-up schemes at EU level (EIC Step Scale Up, InvestEU initiative, EU Innovation Fund, etc.) and national levels (soft-landing schemes). This support helps companies access additional funding and support opportunities beyond the EIC framework, maximizing their chances of success in the European innovation ecosystem.

17. Venture Debt and InvestEU Complementarity

The EIC STEP Scale Up call is designed to work in complementarity with Venture Debt from InvestEU implementing partners, providing companies with a comprehensive financing solution that addresses both equity and debt requirements. This complementarity approach allows companies to access the full range of financing options they need for their scale-up and growth plans.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked whether their company would be interested in Venture Debt support from InvestEU implementing partners if the company is awarded a Sovereignty (STEP) Seal. This question helps the EIC identify companies that could benefit from complementary debt financing alongside the equity investment, ensuring that companies have access to the full range of financing options they need.

The EIC STEP Scale Up is designed to fill the funding gap for companies to invest in the scale-up of high-risk innovations where the amount needed for the scale-up cannot be fully financed by other investors, including InvestEU implementing partners. This addresses a critical market failure where promising deep tech companies struggle to secure the substantial funding required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

The complementarity with InvestEU Venture Debt allows companies to access debt financing that may not be available through traditional sources, particularly for high-risk, high-growth companies in strategic technology areas. This debt financing can complement the equity investment from the EIC Fund, providing companies with the comprehensive financing they need for their scale-up plans.

The Venture Debt option is particularly valuable for companies that need to maintain their equity structure while accessing additional capital for growth. This approach allows companies to leverage their equity investment from the EIC Fund to secure debt financing, maximizing their access to capital while maintaining control over their company structure.

The InvestEU implementing partners bring expertise in debt financing for innovative companies, providing companies with access to specialized knowledge and experience in structuring debt financing for high-growth, high-risk companies. This expertise complements the equity investment expertise of the EIC Fund, providing companies with comprehensive financing support.

The complementarity approach ensures that companies have access to both equity and debt financing options, allowing them to structure their financing in the most appropriate way for their specific needs and circumstances. This flexibility is crucial for scale-up companies that may have different financing requirements at different stages of their growth.

The Venture Debt option is particularly relevant for companies that have secured equity investment from the EIC Fund and are looking to access additional capital without further diluting their equity. This approach allows companies to maximize their access to capital while maintaining their equity structure and control.

The InvestEU implementing partners are selected based on their expertise and experience in providing debt financing to innovative companies, ensuring that companies receive high-quality debt financing services. This selection process ensures that companies have access to experienced debt financing providers who understand the unique needs of innovative, high-growth companies.

The complementarity with InvestEU Venture Debt is part of the broader European financing ecosystem designed to support innovative companies. This ecosystem approach ensures that companies have access to the full range of financing options they need to succeed in the European innovation landscape.

The Venture Debt option is particularly valuable for companies that need to finance specific growth initiatives, such as expanding into new markets, developing new products, or scaling up production capacity. This targeted financing approach allows companies to access the capital they need for specific growth objectives.

The complementarity approach also helps ensure that European companies have access to competitive financing options that can support their growth and development in the global marketplace. This support is crucial for maintaining Europe's position as a global leader in innovation and technology development.

Finally, the Venture Debt complementarity ensures that the EIC STEP Scale Up call provides companies with access to the most comprehensive financing solution possible, maximizing their chances of success in the European innovation ecosystem and contributing to Europe's strategic objectives of maintaining technological sovereignty and competitiveness.

18. Key Dates and Deadlines 2026

The EIC STEP Scale Up call operates on a continuous submission basis throughout 2026, allowing applicants to submit their proposals at any time during the year. This flexible approach provides companies with the opportunity to apply when they are ready and have secured the necessary pre-commitments and documentation, rather than being constrained by fixed deadlines.

It is expected that applicants will be informed about the interview within approximately 4-6 weeks from the start of the evaluation process. This timeline provides sufficient time for thorough evaluation while ensuring timely communication with applicants about their application status.

Amounts for 2026 and 2027 are subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the general budget of the Union for 2026 and 2027 following the adoption of that budget of the EIC Work Programmes for 2026 and 2027. This ensures that the program operates within the established budgetary framework and constraints.

Any unused amount from the EIC STEP Scale Up budget will be allocated with priority to the EIC Accelerator Open call. If applicants have been selected for funding under the Accelerator Open call, the remaining amounts may be allocated to other calls within the general flexibility of the Work Programme, ensuring efficient utilization of available funding.

Concurrent submissions to both the EIC Accelerator and EIC STEP Scale Up calls are not permitted. In the event of multiple submissions, only the proposal submitted most recently will be evaluated, and it will be assessed according to the merits and evaluation criteria of its respective call (Accelerator or STEP). This restriction ensures that applicants focus their efforts on the most appropriate funding opportunity for their needs.

Applicants to the EIC Accelerator call (including the EIC STEP Scale Up Call) cannot submit a new proposal before the evaluation feedback has been provided for the earlier submission. This restriction ensures that applicants have the opportunity to learn from feedback and improve their proposals before submitting new applications.

The program operates within the framework of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which supports the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union and safeguards and strengthens their respective value chains. This framework ensures that the program contributes to Europe's broader strategic objectives throughout 2026 and beyond.

In 2026, the program places particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in semiconductor technologies and quantum technologies through the STEP Scale Up call, which foresees larger investments targeting strategic technologies including support for the Chips Act. This focus reflects Europe's strategic priorities in maintaining technological sovereignty in critical areas.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call is designed to inform future support decisions through the pilot nature of the program, ensuring that lessons learned from this initiative can be incorporated into broader European innovation support frameworks and policies. This learning approach ensures that the program evolves and improves based on experience and feedback.

Finally, the program operates within the broader context of Europe's strategic technology priorities, including support for the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 targets and objectives, and alignment with multi-country projects as defined in Article 2(2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481. This alignment ensures that the program contributes to Europe's broader strategic objectives throughout 2026 and beyond.

19. Success Factors and Best Practices

Success in the EIC STEP Scale Up call requires careful attention to the specific requirements and evaluation criteria that distinguish this program from other funding opportunities. Companies that understand and effectively address these requirements significantly increase their chances of securing funding and support through this prestigious program.

The most critical success factor is demonstrating that the innovation falls within the scope of the priority technology areas defined in the STEP regulation: digital technologies and deep tech innovations, clean and resource efficient technologies including net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies. Companies must clearly articulate how their technology meets the criticality conditions of either bringing to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential, or contributing to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union.

Securing a strong pre-commitment from a qualified investor represents another crucial success factor. The pre-commitment must come from an investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology, and jurisdiction, and must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round. Companies should carefully select investors who not only have the financial capacity but also the expertise and track record in the relevant technology area.

Demonstrating breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions is essential for success. The innovation must be positioned at the cutting edge of new market, societal, or technological trends, with clear evidence of its innovative nature and potential to disrupt existing markets or create new ones. Companies should provide compelling evidence of their technology's uniqueness and competitive advantages.

Having a comprehensive and well-articulated commercialization strategy is critical for success. This includes clear plans for regulatory approvals and compliance, time to market and deployment, business and revenue models, and identification of key partners who are committed to the project. Companies should demonstrate that they have thoroughly considered all aspects of bringing their innovation to market.

Demonstrating strong scale-up potential and the ability to become a global leader in the technology area is another key success factor. Companies must show that their innovation has the potential to scale up the company and achieve significant market impact globally. This includes realistic market size assessments, growth projections, and competitive positioning analysis.

Having a capable and motivated team with the necessary skills and experience to implement the innovation proposal and bring it to market is crucial. Companies should demonstrate that their team has the required capabilities and that there are plans to acquire any critical competencies that are currently missing. The team should also show adequate representation of women and men, reflecting diversity and inclusion best practices.

Effectively demonstrating the broader impact of the innovation is important for success. Companies should show how their innovation will achieve positive societal, economic, environmental, or climate impacts, and how it has the potential to create new markets or significantly transform existing ones within the EU, fostering economic, social, and territorial cohesion.

Clearly articulating the STEP impact and contribution to Europe's strategic objectives is essential. Companies must demonstrate how their innovation strengthens the EU Single Market's competitiveness or reduces strategic dependencies. This includes showing how the technology addresses critical needs within the EU internal market and contributes to Europe's technological sovereignty.

Demonstrating that the nature and level of risk of the investment means that European market actors are unwilling to commit the full amount needed without an investment from the EIC Fund is crucial. Companies should provide evidence that there is a genuine funding gap that cannot be filled by the market alone, while also showing that market actors would be willing to invest alongside the EIC or at a later stage.

Having a comprehensive risk mitigation strategy is important for success. Companies should identify the main risks (technological, market, financial, regulatory) and provide clear measures to mitigate them. This demonstrates that the company has thoroughly assessed potential challenges and has plans to address them.

Demonstrating strong investment leverage potential is critical. Companies must provide a convincing and realistic plan for raising an equity financing round using the EIC Fund investment to attract 3-5 times the amount from other investors. This includes showing the anticipated timeline for concluding the financing round, the number of investors who have committed or are engaged in advanced discussions, and the urgency of finalizing the deal.

Having a robust intellectual property strategy and freedom to operate analysis is essential. Companies should demonstrate that they have the necessary intellectual property rights to ensure adequate protection of their innovation and that they have conducted a thorough freedom to operate analysis to ensure they can operate without infringing on others' intellectual property.

Demonstrating technological feasibility and safety is crucial for success. Companies should show that their technology has been developed in a safe, secure, and reliable manner and has been adequately assessed, validated, or certified. This includes providing evidence of technical validation and any relevant certifications or approvals.

Having a clear and compelling pitch deck that effectively communicates the company's value proposition and investment opportunity is important for success. The pitch deck should be well-structured, visually appealing, and clearly articulate the company's technology, market opportunity, competitive advantages, and growth potential.

Finally, companies should be prepared for the jury interview and be able to effectively communicate their vision, technology, and growth plans. This includes being able to answer detailed questions about all aspects of the proposal and demonstrating confidence and competence in presenting the company's case for funding.

20. Conclusion and Next Steps

The EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up call represents a groundbreaking initiative that addresses critical funding gaps in Europe's deep tech ecosystem while supporting the continent's strategic objectives of maintaining technological sovereignty and reducing dependencies on non-EU sources for critical technologies. This comprehensive program offers unprecedented financial support ranging from EUR 10 to EUR 30 million in equity investments, combined with extensive Business Acceleration Services and the prestigious Sovereignty (STEP) Seal.

The program's focus on three critical priority technology areas - digital technologies and deep tech innovations, clean and resource efficient technologies including net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies - ensures that European investments align with strategic priorities and contribute to maintaining technological leadership in areas of critical importance. The emphasis on technologies that bring to the internal market innovative, emerging and cutting-edge elements with significant economic potential, or contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union, positions Europe as a global leader in strategic technology development.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call's unique approach of requiring substantial pre-commitments from qualified investors ensures that public funding catalyzes significant private sector investment rather than replacing it. This leverage effect, combined with the requirement that companies target funding rounds of EUR 50 to EUR 150 million representing at least 3-5 times the EIC investment, maximizes the impact of public funding and ensures that European companies have access to the substantial capital required for rapid scaling and global market expansion.

The program's comprehensive evaluation criteria, focusing on excellence, impact, and implementation potential, ensure that only the most promising companies with breakthrough technologies and strong growth potential receive support. The three-tier outcome system - "GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal," "NO GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal," and "NO GO" - provides appropriate recognition and support for companies at different levels of readiness and budget availability.

The economic security and safeguards framework ensures that European investments contribute to strengthening Europe's technological capabilities while protecting strategic assets from transfer to non-EU entities. The requirement that supported companies remain under European control and keep most of their value, including intellectual property, in the EU or Associated Countries, protects European interests and contributes to economic growth and job creation within Europe.

The complementarity with InvestEU Venture Debt provides companies with access to comprehensive financing solutions that address both equity and debt requirements. This approach, combined with the extensive Business Acceleration Services and the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, creates a comprehensive support ecosystem that extends beyond the initial investment and provides ongoing support throughout the company's growth journey.

The program's continuous submission basis with quarterly evaluations provides flexibility for companies to apply when they are ready while ensuring regular assessment and decision-making processes. The "first come, first served" approach, combined with budget management mechanisms that limit recommendations to no more than 70% of available budget in the first six months, ensures balanced allocation of funding throughout the year.

In 2026, the program's particular emphasis on supporting start-ups in semiconductor technologies and quantum technologies, including support for the Chips Act, reflects Europe's strategic priorities in maintaining technological sovereignty in critical areas where the Union has identified significant dependencies on non-EU sources. This focus ensures that European investments address the most pressing strategic challenges.

The pilot nature of the program provides an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach and inform future decisions on European innovation support mechanisms. The lessons learned from this initiative will contribute to the development of broader European innovation support frameworks and policies, ensuring that future programs build on the successes and address any challenges identified during implementation.

For companies considering applying to the EIC STEP Scale Up call, the next steps involve carefully assessing their eligibility and readiness. Companies should ensure that their innovation falls within the priority technology areas and meets the criticality conditions, secure the required pre-commitment from a qualified investor, and prepare comprehensive documentation including a business plan, pitch deck, financial plan, and other required materials.

Companies should also consider how the EIC STEP Scale Up call fits into their broader financing strategy and whether they might benefit from complementary Venture Debt support from InvestEU implementing partners. The comprehensive support ecosystem provided by the program, including Business Acceleration Services and the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal, should be factored into the company's growth and development plans.

Finally, the EIC STEP Scale Up call represents Europe's commitment to supporting companies that contribute to its strategic objectives while providing them with the recognition and support they need to succeed in the global marketplace. This commitment ensures that Europe maintains its position as a global leader in innovation and technology development, while addressing critical funding gaps and supporting the development of strategic technologies that are essential for Europe's future competitiveness and security.

Eureka Network

Eureka Network offers multiple international collaborative R&D programs including Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, with funding ranging from €50K to €6.75M per project depending on the specific program. The network focuses on market-driven innovation and deep-tech development across diverse technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Applicants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars specifically targeting R&D-performing SMEs.

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EIC Transition

EIC Transition provides up to €2.5 million in funding to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory research and market deployment, focusing on technology maturation and validation. The program supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Technology areas include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics.

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EIC STEP Scale-Up

EIC STEP Scale-Up offers substantial equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies ready for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The program targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have secured pre-commitment from qualified investors. Focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero goals, and Biotechnologies.

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EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a 2025 pilot program providing €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. The initiative is exclusively available to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to support regional innovation development. The program covers deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains.

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EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder offers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The program requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials.

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EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator provides flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The program targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Other technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors.

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Innovation Partnership

Innovation Partnership facilitates collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The program supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects focus on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches.

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Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund provides substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The program targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Applicants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects.

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Innovate UK

Innovate UK offers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular focus on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization.

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Industrial Partnership

Industrial Partnership provides €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The program supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships.

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Eurostars

Eurostars is a joint EU-Eureka program offering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program takes a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities.

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LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme provides €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The program supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Applicants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges.

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Neotec

Neotec is a Spanish program offering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.

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Thematic Priorities

EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas.

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EIC STEP Scale Up 2026: Complete Guide to Europe's Strategic Technology Investment Programme

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to EIC STEP Scale Up

2. Overview and Strategic Objectives

3. Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Regulation

4. Purpose and Target Audience

5. Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Apply

6. Priority Technology Areas

7. Digital Technologies and Deep Tech

8. Clean and Resource Efficient Technologies

9. Biotechnologies

10. Funding Structure and Investment Component

11. Application Process and Timeline

12. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

13. Pre-commitment Requirements

14. Economic Security and Safeguards

15. Sovereignty (STEP) Seal

16. Business Acceleration Services

17. Venture Debt and InvestEU Complementarity

18. Key Dates and Deadlines 2026

19. Success Factors and Best Practices

20. Conclusion and Next Steps

Eureka Network

EIC Transition

EIC STEP Scale-Up

EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Accelerator

Innovation Partnership

Innovation Fund

Innovate UK

Industrial Partnership

Eurostars

LIFE Programme

Neotec

Thematic Priorities