Ongoing funding opportunities for SMEs and start-ups

03.12.2025

While many traditional EU funding programs for 2025 have already reached their deadlines or are about to close, the EIC STEP Scale-Up instrument offers ambitious SMEs and start-ups an ongoing opportunity to apply for funding.

Under STEP Scale-Up, companies can receive an equity investment of between EUR 10 and 30 million. These investments are intended to act as a catalyst for private co-investments with the aim of mobilizing additional funds of 2 to 5 times this amount. Typical financing rounds are therefore between EUR 50 and 150 million.

The program is aimed at companies that are already at an advanced stage of growth - such as start-ups, SMEs or small mid-caps - particularly in the areas of deep tech, clean tech, biotechnology and digital innovation. Unlike traditional funding programs, EIC STEP Scale-Up does not involve grants, but equity financing in which the EU itself acts as a co-investor.

In particular, the program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of European technologies and motivate private investors to invest in strategically relevant fields of innovation.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the program or need support with your application, please do not hesitate to contact BayFOR's SME advisory service.