EIC set to invest €1.4 Billion in deep tech and strategic technologies

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is set to impact the continent’s deep tech landscape with an investment of €1.4 billion in 2025

This funding, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, represents an increase of nearly €200 million from the previous year, showing a continued commitment to support high-potential start-ups and research in strategic technologies.

STEP Scale-up scheme

A key feature of the 2025 work programme is the introduction of the new EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale-up scheme.

With a budget of €300 million for the year, this will help to provide significant investments ranging from €10 to €30 million per company, encouraging private co-investment to achieve total investments between €50 and €150 million.

The STEP Scale-up scheme targets areas such as digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies, addressing a critical gap in funding for deep tech scale-ups across Europe.

The EIC Work Programme also outlines a series of challenges and funding opportunities. It allocates €120 million to support up-and-coming technologies like autonomous robots and climate-resilient crops, as well as €250 million for earlier-stage companies focusing on generative artificial intelligence, new space initiatives, agri-tech, and future mobility solutions.

Innovation across the EU

The EIC is also improving access to business acceleration services, particularly for companies from ‘widening countries,’ which have lower levels of research and innovation performance. This looks seeks to promote inclusivity and encourage innovation across the EU.

The programme features three main funding schemes: the EIC Pathfinder, which dedicates €262 million to visionary early-stage research; the EIC Transition, with €98 million to convert research results into market opportunities; and the EIC Accelerator, providing €634 million to help start-ups and SMEs scale their innovations.

With the EIC Fund already having €1 billion in investments in deep tech start-ups, the council continues to establish itself as a leader in the sector. The recent launch of the EIC Trusted Investors Network further improves access to venture capital for breakthrough companies.

The EIC will host information days on November 5 and 6, 2024, to help potential applicants on the new funding opportunities.