The EIC confirms €1.8 billion for startups in 2027, with expanded defence and women-led startup support

The European Commission has adopted the 2027 European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme, allocating €1.8 billion to support DeepTech startups, scale-ups and researchers across Europe.

The funding package aims to help promising technologies move from early-stage research to commercialisation, while improving access to investment for women-led and DefenceTech companies.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, says: “This is how it puts our Startup and Scaleup Strategy into action: mobilising more capital, stimulating customer deals, cutting complexity, and making bold investments on the technologies that will shape our future. And, as we shape the next EU research and innovation programme, our task is to turn Europe’s scientific excellence, talent and industrial strength into new companies and lasting competitiveness.”

The programme marks the final EIC funding package under Horizon Europe 2021–2027, the EU’s research and innovation framework.

A significant part of the programme focuses on expanding access to growth capital. This includes completing the €1 billion commitment to the Scaleup Europe Fund, launched in 2026 and managed by investment firm EQT. The fund aims to attract at least €4 billion from other investors and support European technology companies through investments averaging more than €100 million.

Alongside this initiative, the EIC will continue supporting startups through its STEP Scale Up scheme, targeting companies developing strategic technologies. The 2027 programme also completes funding allocations of €200 million for defence investments and €25 million for the Advanced Innovation Challenges pilot, both introduced in 2026.

These measures form part of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the Competitiveness Compass, two initiatives intended to strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem and address obstacles faced by technology companies seeking to grow.

Established under Horizon Europe in 2021, the EIC has a budget exceeding €10 billion for the 2021–2027 period. Since its launch, it has supported more than 800 companies and nearly 700 research projects, providing financial assistance at different stages of technological development.

Its investment arm, the EIC Fund, has already invested close to €2 billion in more than 375 deep tech startups, attracting approximately 3.5 times that amount in co-investment.

The programme also expands support for women-led startups through a redesigned Women TechEU initiative, doubling individual grants to €150k. A new European Prize for Women Innovators in Quantum will also be introduced, complementing the existing European Prize for Women Innovators and recognising female entrepreneurs working in quantum technologies.

Another priority is helping EIC-backed startups secure their first customers. New measures will connect companies with public and private procurers, allowing them to test emerging technologies and explore potential commercial applications.

Support for dual-use and defence technologies will remain part of the EIC’s activities, reflecting the EU’s interest in strengthening its technological capabilities across strategic sectors.

At the same time, the Commission intends to reduce administrative complexity and make funding more accessible to innovators at different stages of development.

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