Targeted project promoters
One of the main challenges faced by European scale-up companies in critical sectors, particularly for high-risk, deep technologies, is the later-stage financing gap in Europe.
STEP helps European scale-up companies that contribute to preserving a European edge on critical technologies overcome the later-stage financing gap in Europe.
Who can benefit from STEP?
- Companies: SMEs (including start-ups), mid-caps, and larger companies
- Other entities: Universities, research and technology organizations, non-profit organizations, and public entities
The type of support offered differs per type of beneficiaries:
| Equity support | for non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable small mid-caps through the European Innovation Council |
| Equity and debt support | available for EU companies under InvestEU |
| Grants | in the areas of digital and deep tech, clean tech and biotech under the Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme, the European Defence Fund, the EU4Health programme and the Innovation Fund. |
| Grants, financial instruments, or public procurements | Open to any type of undertaking active in digital and deep tech, clean tech and bio tech sectors in the 27 Member States through the cohesion policy funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. |
Targeted investment areas
Support through all stages of development
EU funding under STEP provides support to strategic technologies at all stages of development, from early development to commercial readiness:
- Upstream development of critical technologies: STEP funds all development stages, from research and innovation up to the prototype demonstration in operational environments.
- Development of critical manufacturing capacities for large-scale production: STEP supports the establishment of manufacturing capacities at industrial scale (including first-of-a-kind ones) for critical technologies' products and relevant components and sub-components, including the machinery specifically used to produce these.
Advisory services
Some EU programmes offer advisory services for financial and technical support. These are adapted to projects’ needs and can be provided at any stage of their development.
- connects project promoters and intermediaries with advisory partners, who work directly together to help projects reach the financing stage.
- you can get support from the Hub without having to apply for financing through InvestEU.
- project promoters and intermediaries seeking advisory support and technical assistance shall apply through the Central Entry Point
- supports some projects submitted under Innovation Fund calls for proposals that are not selected for grant funding.
- offers technical and financial advisory services tailored to project needs, to increase project maturity for subsequent Innovation Fund calls (e.g. bankability assessment, market analysis, concept development support)
- helps projects improve their chances of financial closing and entry into operation.
- Project Development Assistance
- access to coaching, mentoring and partnering to accelerate innovation and growth of top tech companies.
- tailor-made services for EIC awardees (from the EIC Accelerator, EIC Transition, EIC Pathfinder and Women TechEU).
- applicants are invited to prepare a full proposal - those who pass step 1 of the application process can also receive 3 days of (remote) coaching and get support when preparing their full proposal (step 2 of the application).
- some services are available to companies that receive the Seal of Excellence, and innovators and companies from other European or national initiatives that have entered into a specific agreement with the EIC.
- EIC Business Acceleration Services Offer
- aids in pinpointing the most relevant EU funding programme for your project.
- the Network offers expert knowledge and support.
- assists in locating the right partners for your project.
- advice on business innovation strategies, intellectual property, and more.
- Enterprise Europe Network
Tips to manage your project
Applying for EU funding is like a journey. From crafting your proposal to submitting it, going through the evaluation process and contract signature, and then managing and reporting on your project, information is available to guide you every step of the way.
- How to apply
Find out about what you need to know (eligibility check, application process…) before you apply.
- Evaluation and contract signature
- Managing your project
Find out what to expect once you are awarded a contract: reporting, deliverables, audits and communication.
Discover the STEP seal
The Seal aims at enhancing access to EU funding, notably by facilitating alternative cumulative or combined funding from several EU budget instruments.
To receive a STEP Seal, projects must contribute to at least one the STEP objectives, i.e. supporting the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union, safeguarding and strengthening the respective value chains or addressing shortages of labour and skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in those sectors. There is no additional specific procedure to apply for the STEP Seal. This latter can only be obtained when applying to a call under a relevant programme.
Any organisation or consortium established in any of the 27 EU Member States (or consortium for which at least one member is established in an EU Member State) can benefit from a step Seal, provided it fits within the programmes concerned and meets the attribution conditions. The STEP Seal is valid for the duration of the project. Validity will expire if the project is relocated outside the Union or should it have not started within 5 years after the award of the Seal.
The STEP Seal will enhance access to EU funding, notably by facilitating alternative cumulative or combined funding from several EU budget instruments. For instance, Member States can grant support from Cohesion policy funds to projects having been awarded a STEP Seal directly, without any additional selection procedures. In addition, projects being awarded a seal are promoted on the STEP Portal, providing them with additional visibility towards investors and may help attract public and private funding by certifying their quality and contribution to the STEP objectives.
Learn more about STEP
STEP brings together resources from various EU funding programmes to support innovative projects. The Platform uses tools like reprogramming and a STEP Seal granted to high-quality projects. It also offers an entry point for questions. Learn more about how STEP can help you access the funding you need.