Take Advantage of the EU’s Equity Funding Opportunities

The European Innovation Council (EIC) offers two significant equity funding opportunities:

1. EIC Accelerator Investment Component (€1–10 million).
2. The new EIC STEP Scale-Up Program (€10–30 million).

Equity funding provides significantly higher success rates compared to grants. The next deadline for full applications to the EIC Accelerator is March 12 2025, so submitting your initial-stage application as soon as possible is essential if you aim to participate in this call.

Grannenfelt’s experts have years of experience in EU funding. We understand what it takes to succeed and help maximize your chances of securing funding and provide tailored support throughout the entire application process – from idea development to a successful grant.

Our contact details can be found here

EIC Accelerator Offers Investment-Only Financing

The “Investment-Only” component of the EIC Accelerator is designed for innovative companies seeking equity funding to scale their operations.

Key highlights and eligibility criteria for the “Investment-Only” component:

Key Features:

1. Purpose: Provides equity funding between €1–10 million to support market entry and business scaling.
2. Focus: Targets high-risk, high-potential innovations.
3. Target Audience: Especially suited for companies in deep-tech or similar sectors that require substantial equity investments for international growth and product development.
4. Deadlines for full applications: March 12, 2025, and October 1, 2025.

Development Stage Requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate a validated innovation in an advanced stage (typically TRL 8 or higher).
• The focus is on scaling and commercializing the innovation globally.

EIC STEP Scale-Up Program

The EIC STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) Scale-Up Program is a new funding instrument by the EIC aimed at supporting the growth of innovative companies working with critical and strategic technologies. It primarily targets SMEs, startups, and scale-ups aiming to expand and become global tech leaders in areas of strategic importance to Europe.

Key Features:

• Eligibility: Open to companies operating in critical technologies such as deeptech, cleantech, and biotech.

Financing Scope:

• Applicants can seek EIC equity funding of €10–30 million.
• The total funding round is expected to exceed €50 million, with applicants required to secure soft commitments from private investors covering at least 20% of the total funding.