EIC STEP Scale Up

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The EIC STEP Scale Up program is part of the Strategic Technologies Platform for Europe (STEP) and offers financial support in the form of investments to start-ups, SMEs and small mid-cap companies between €10 million and €30 million. EIC Step Up will catalyze larger funding rounds, amplifying the impact of the initial investment.

STEP is a European Union initiative aimed at boosting critical technologies within Europe with the objective of reducing dependencies in strategic sectors and strengthening long-term competitiveness. Launched in 2024, it focuses on key sectors, including digital and deep tech innovations, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnology. Channeling investments through established programs such as Horizon Europe and InvestEU, STEP provides both funding and strategic support to scale breakthrough innovations. Now, STEP has partnered with the European Innovation Council (EIC) to launch the EIC STEP Scale Up Call, extending support to high-impact companies that are ready to pursue large-scale commercialization in these strategic technology sectors.

This initiative is a pilot action and is aimed at filling an important gap in the financing of deep tech companies in the scaling phase. The call is aimed at companies that meet the following criteria:

  • Develop disruptive technology in key sectors.
  • Have secured initial investments and seek larger rounds to scale quickly.
  • Face significant market risks market risks prevent full financing by traditional investors.

The application will be made through the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders platform. The following may apply for this funding SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employeesand are based in an EU Member State or Associated Country. In addition, the application must demonstrate:

  • A critical and innovative technology aligned with STEP priorities.
  • The pre-commitment of a qualified lead investor representing at least one representing at least 20% of the target financing round.
  • A clear business plan with well-defined commercial and expansion strategies.

Financing and other benefits

The EIC’s STEP Scale Up Call provides equity investments between €10 million and €30 million, aimed at accelerating the development and market launch of innovative technologies. The objective is to catalyze financing rounds in the range of 50 to 150 million euros, leveraging co-investments to multiply by 3 to 5 times the EIC investment. This financial mechanism provides the necessary backing to revolutionize existing markets or create new ones, with significant potential for global impact.

In addition to significant financial support, selected companies will benefit from the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services and the prestigious STEP Seal, which facilitates access to other EU funding programs and potential investors. This comprehensive support ecosystem ensures that companies can scale quickly while remaining competitive in the European marketplace.

Strategic Technologies for the STEP Scale up Call for Proposals

The solicitation focuses on the priority areas defined in the STEP regulation, which include:

  • Digital and deep tech technologies, such as advanced semiconductor technologies and artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics and more.such as advanced semiconductor technologies and artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics and more.
  • Clean and resource-efficient technologies, ranging from solar and hydrogen technologies to circular economy solutions.
  • Biotechnologiesincluding advances in medicinal products, DNA/RNA technologies, bioinformatics and nanobiotechnology.

Name

Opening date

Next deadline

Deadline model

Link

EIC STEP SCALE UP 2025

26/11/2024

25/02/2025

Double-stage

Link

Scope: Europe

Minimum investment of 10 million euros and maximum of 30 million euros.

Organization: European Commission

Nature of project: Business Development - R+D+i

More information

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Vaidas Palinauskas
Nature Research Centre
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University of MIlano
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VIAS
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ITAINNOVA
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Sysarb AB
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Flexofibers
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Venter Pharma
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Medres Kft. / Cardiosight Ltd.
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  • Single-beneficiary format.
  • Exclusively SMEs under the status according to the criteria EU recommendation 2003/361.

Financing of up to 17 million euros:

  • Non-reimbursable aid, grant, up to 2.5 MILL € (grant)
  • Equity financing up to €15 MILLION (equity)

All expenses directly related to activities such as trials, prototyping, validation, demonstration and testing under real conditions (TRL6 to TRL8).

The budget categories include, in addition to personnel costs, travel, consumables, depreciation of equipment, contracting of services, indirect costs (calculated as 25% of the remaining costs, except subcontracting). The non-refundable aid intensity will be 70% of the approved and justified budget.

The costs derived from market access activities (TRL9) will be covered through Private Investment.

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