STEP Scale Up Turns Deep-Tech Innovations
into Global Leaders
The STEP Scale Up call is the European Union’s dedicated instrument for transforming breakthrough prototypes into globally competitive industrial leaders — with a focus on quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, and other critical deep-tech enablers.
It offers substantial late-stage funding to amplify previous EIC or private investments, paired with strategic support — including access to corporates, public buyers, and international partners
The STEP Scale Up call targets fast-growing SMEs and small mid-caps, the call supports innovations that enhance Europe’s technological sovereignty, secure strategic value chains, and create high-quality jobs. By catalysing larger follow-on investment rounds, the STEP Scale Up scheme aims to accelerate market deployment, anchor scale-up activities in the EU, and strengthen the Union’s economic, industrial, and geopolitical competitiveness for the future.
WHO CAN APPLY for STEP Scale up
Eligible applicants include:
* Single SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a EU Member State or an Associated Country.
* An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap.
* Public Limited Companies (PLCs) can also apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Important to note: This scheme targets companies seeking major funding rounds and requires commitment from a qualified investor covering at least 20% of the total target round to demonstrate initial market interest.
TECHNOLOGY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
There is no explicit TRL requirement for the STEP Scale-Up call. However, the scheme targets companies in strategic technology domains that are preparing a substantial funding round - typically €50-150 million. Eligible applicants should already have completed earlier funding rounds and must secure at least one investor pre-commitment before submitting their proposal.
FUNDING RATE for The STEP Scale Up
Total 2025 budget of EUR 300 million
Minimum investment EUR 10 million, maximum EUR 30 million in 2025
Catalyse rounds of EUR 50-150 million.
More information on STEP Scale Up
Scope of Innovation
Digital and Deep Tech: Includes semiconductor, AI, quantum, advanced connectivity, sensing, robotics, and autonomous systems.
Clean Technologies: Focus on net-zero solutions like solar, wind, battery storage, geothermal, hydrogen, biogas, carbon capture, nuclear, and circular economy.
Biotechnologies: Includes critical medicines, DNA/RNA, proteins, cell engineering, gene vectors, bioinformatics, and nanobiotechnology.
Deadline og Application Process
You can apply to the EIC STEP Scale Up call at any time via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Applications are evaluated regularly—at least once per quarter, or more often if needed.
Submission of Proposal:
* A full business plan, including information on the company’s ownership and financial structure, STEP related objectives (maximum 50 pages)
* A pitch-deck in PDF (15 pages maximum)
* A pre-commitment from a qualified investor
* An ownership control declaration.
If eligible, you’ll be invited to a jury interview within 4–6 weeks of the evaluation start.
EIC Jury Interview
At the interview, you will be assessed by a jury of maximum six members.
You will be informed about the result of the interview in 2 weeks from the date of the interview.
Companies, irrespective of whether they are retained for funding or not, that meet all evaluation criteria will be awarded the Sovereignty Seal and gain access to Business Acceleration Services.
Furthermore, if your proposal does not meet the criteria, you will receive feedback to help improve future applications.