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STEP Scale Up

European Commission

EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up scheme

  • Use:
  • Date closing: -
  • Amount: 10M € - 30.0M €
  • Industry focus: Health; ICT; Others;
  • Total budget: 300M €
  • Entity type: Public Agency
  • Vertical focus: Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, Clean and resource-efficient technologies, Biotechnologies
  • Website: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/step-scale_en
  • Status:
    Open
  • Funding type: Grant;
  • Geographic focus: Horizon Europe associated countries; European Union;
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Stage focus:
  • Applicant target: SME; Startup;

Overview

The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is a major EU initiative launched to support critical technologies and boost European competitiveness. 

The STEP Programme is designed to bridge the funding gap for high-risk innovations that require larger investments to scale up, particularly in digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies.

Purpose and Focus

STEP aims to enhance research, development, and implementation of essential technologies in three main sectors:

  1. Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation
  2. Clean and resource-efficient technologies
  3. Biotechnologies

Funding and Support

  • STEP mobilizes funding across 11 EU programmes
  • The European Defence Fund received a €1.5 billion reinforcement for STEP projects
  • It supports technologies during their development and manufacturing stages

The investment will be made through the Innovation Fund. STEP leverages resources from eleven EU funding programmes and is managed directly by the European Commission, including its executive agencies. The Commission is responsible for evaluating projects, signing grant agreements, monitoring implementation, and making payments for directly managed programmes under STEP.

Key Mechanisms

  1. STEP Seal: An EU label for high-quality projects, granting visibility and facilitating access to funding
  2. Reprogramming EU funds towards STEP sectors
  3. Offering extensive information through its Portal
  4. Acting as a single-entry point for industry and managing authorities

Implementation

  • Launched on November 20, 2024
  • Supports projects that develop skills necessary for critical technologies
  • Aims to reduce strategic dependencies in the EU

Eligibility and Application

  • Open to single SMEs or small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) in EU Member States or Associated Countries
  • Applications can be submitted anytime via the Funding & Tenders Portal
  • Requires a business plan, pitch deck, and investor pre-commitment

Budget and Investment

  • For 2025, the STEP Scale Up scheme will provide equity investments between €10-30 million
  • Total budget of €300 million for 2025

Benefits for Participants

  • Access to global partners, coaches, and expertise
  • Enhanced credibility through the STEP Seal
  • Potential pathway to additional EU funding programs

 

Last updated on 2025-01-30 21:41

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