Can I apply to STEP Platform?

By country

• Can a company from an EU country apply?Yes
• Can a company from Poland (a Widening country) apply?Yes
• Can a company from the UK apply?NoOrganisations in the United Kingdom can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from Switzerland apply?Yes
• Can a company from Norway apply?Yes
• Can a company from Israel apply?Yes
• Can a company from Ukraine apply?Yes
• Can a company from Türkiye apply?Yes
• Can a company from Canada apply?NoOrganisations in Canada can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from Japan apply?NoOrganisations in Japan can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from South Korea apply?NoOrganisations in South Korea can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from the United States apply?NoOrganisations in the United States can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from India apply?NoOrganisations in India can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.

By organisation

• Can a founder without a company yet apply?Yes, ifRegister a company first: the applicant must be an incorporated SME.
• Can a startup apply?Yes
• Can an established SME apply?Yes
• Can a mid-cap company apply?Yes
• Can a large company apply?NoNot open to a large company. One SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 staff).
• Can a university apply?NoNot open to a university. One SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 staff).
• Can a research organisation apply?NoNot open to a research organisation. One SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 staff).
• Can a company apply on its own, without partners?Yes

By stage

• Can I apply with an idea or early research?Yes
• Can I apply with a proof of concept?Yes
• Can I apply with a prototype?Yes
• Can I apply with a pilot with real users?Yes
• Can I apply with a product on the market?Yes

The rules in full

Where you must be based

the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe

These rules cover EIC STEP Scale Up, the only STEP call a company applies to directly. The company (and any holding company used for the investment) must be in an EU Member State or associated country. The UK is out: the call is equity only and EIC Fund equity is not available to UK companies pending an amendment to the UK association agreement. The Defence window is limited to the EU, Ukraine, Iceland and Norway. Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan are associated to Horizon Europe Pillar II only, so they do not count for this programme.

Who can apply

a startup, an SME or a mid-cap

One SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 staff). An investor can apply on the company's behalf with its prior agreement.

Alone or with partners

Alone

Single company only.

Stage

No set TRL

No TRL rule. Built for companies scaling up, usually at or near market.

What you get

equity, up to €30M

10 to 30 million euros of EIC Fund equity, co-investing in a round of 50 to 150 million euros or more. The EIC ticket should be 3 to 5 times smaller than the round. No grant.