This call targets companies raising significant funding rounds and you must demonstrate an initial market interest such that the EIC investment acts as a catalyst for larger funding rounds.

You will therefore need to demonstrate that the company already has a precommitment for an equity investment which meets the following elements:

• The pre-commitment comes from a single qualified investor with demonstrable know-how and experience in the relevant market, technology and jurisdiction and subject to KYC by the EIC Fund or the EIF. The precommitted 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 represents at least 20% of the total target funding round you are aiming to raise.

The following entities are eligible to apply:

• A single company classified as a SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established within a Member State or an Associated Country (this includes the UK).  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.
• 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. The investment agreement will be signed with the selected SME or small mid-cap.

See the EIC Work Programme 2026 (page 102 onwards) for full details of eligibility.

In order to apply, your innovation must be within the scope of the priority sectors below: check the EIC Work Programme 2026 (page 102 onwards) for full details of the scope.

a. Digital technologies, and deep tech innovations. This includes: advanced semiconductor technologies; artificial intelligence technologies; quantum technologies; advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies; advanced sensing technologies; robotics and autonomous systems; Deep tech innovations

b. Clean and resource efficient technologies, including net-zero technologies. This includes: solar technologies; onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies; 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 nonbiological 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.

c. Biotechnologies, including medicinal products on the Union list of critical medicines and their components. Including DNA/RNA; proteins and other molecules; cell and tissue culture and engineering; process biotechnology techniques; Gene and RNA vectors; bioinformatics; and nanobiotechnology.

These technologies are deemed critical where they meet either of the following conditions: a. they bring to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential; b. they contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union.

The EIC STEP Scale Up call presents a unique opportunity for ambitious scale up companies (SMEs and small mid-caps) with game-changing innovations in Europe’s critical technology areas. It offers a powerful combination of financial and strategic support designed to propel your groundbreaking solution to the forefront of these sectors.

The companies selected under the EIC STEP Scale Up call shall receive investments ranging from EUR 10 to EUR 30 million. This investment can significantly accelerate the development and market launch of your technology, product, or service. With this funding, you’ll gain the power to disrupt established markets and forge new ones across Europe, potentially achieving significant global impact. Crucially, this investment is designed to catalyse major funding rounds in the range of EUR 50 to 150 million, and at least 3-5 times the EIC investment. This call is part of the implementation of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) which supports the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union or safeguarding and strengthening their respective value chains. Besides support from the EIC, the projects may be eligible for support under other EU programmes included in STEP.

In 2026 support for start-ups in semiconductor technologies and quantum technologies will be pursued in particular through the STEP Scale Up call which foresees larger investments targeting strategic technologies including in support of the Chips Act. The EIC Accelerator Open call remains available in general for startups and SMEs including for quantum and semiconductor technologies.

You may submit an application to the EIC STEP Scale Up call at any time. The evaluations of applications submitted will be organised with one batch per quarter (11/02/2026; 06/05/2026; 09/09/2026; 25/11/2026). You must submit your proposal via the Funding and Tenders Portal.