The European Commission has identified eight high-growth technology companies for major equity support through the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale Up initiative.
This flagship funding stream will accelerate Europe’s most strategic innovations. The selected companies are currently awaiting due diligence and a final investment decision by the EIC Fund.
This program is aimed at companies at critical inflection points, where significant capital is needed to expand and secure market position.
Each company could receive between €10 million and €30 million, and if negotiations are successful, the total investment could reach €146.5 million.
Of the 44 applicants, 28 were shortlisted for an interview with an independent expert. Only eight companies met all technical, commercial and strategic criteria, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the EIC STEP scale-up process and its focus on high-impact technologies.
Selected companies span strategic areas in Europe
The eight companies represent an area of deep technology innovation that is in line with Europe’s long-term industrial priorities.
Germany’s Aignostics is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to drug development to improve clinical outcomes and shorten timelines.
France-based Alice & Bob is working towards a universal quantum computer, while Dutch company Quantware focuses on scalable quantum hardware architectures.
In space, Bulgaria’s Endurosat is expanding access to satellite intelligence, and Spain’s Payload Aerospace is developing transport systems for lunar and interplanetary missions.
Sustainability and resource innovation are also at the center. Denmark’s Again Bio uses AI-powered biocatalysts to convert CO₂ into chemicals, and Germany’s Reverion powers highly efficient renewable energy systems.
Greenland Resources is developing large molybdenum deposits with additional magnesium production, contributing to the supply of critical raw materials.
Addressing Europe’s lack of scale-up funding
The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme is designed to tackle a persistent structural problem in Europe: a lack of late-stage funding for deep tech companies.
The program aims to facilitate larger funding rounds of between €50 million and more than €150 million, by offering investments between €10 million and €30 million.
This approach aims to concentrate private capital while reducing dependence on external markets. The focus areas of digital technology, clean energy and biotechnology are areas where Europe is seeking greater strategic autonomy.
In addition to the eight selected companies, the STEP Seal was awarded to 18 companies that met high evaluation criteria but were unable to receive funding due to budget constraints.
This designation signals high quality to investors and allows access to alternative funding channels and business facilitation services.
Strong demand and continued opportunities
The EIC STEP scale-up program, which has a budget of €300 million for 2026, is already seeing strong demand. The initiative will be implemented on a rolling basis, with assessment deadlines scheduled throughout the year, including May, September, and November.
The continuous application model reflects the urgency to support breakthrough technologies before they transfer globally or become uncompetitive. It is also consistent with broader EU efforts to strengthen industrial resilience and reduce strategic dependence.
Strategic implications for the European innovation landscape
The latest cohort highlights a deliberate shift towards funding companies that can deliver both economic value and technological sovereignty.
The EIC STEP Scale Up program prioritizes depth over breadth by focusing capital on a small number of high-potential companies.
Successful investments like these could accelerate Europe’s position in areas defined by scale, speed and capital intensity, such as quantum computing, clean energy and space infrastructure.
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