EU programmes · European Commission, EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency) / DG RTD
A Horizon Europe pilot call under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) work programme that co-funds a connected network of 10–18 leading and emerging startup and scaleup hubs embedded in research, technology, and higher education institutions. Selected hubs must open their ecosystems to non-local startups, share infrastructure, and collaborate cross-border to accelerate the scaling of deep-tech ventures. The action is aligned with the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the EIC scaling strategy, with particular emphasis on bridging regional innovation gaps.
For deep-tech startups and scaleups, accreditation or affiliation with a funded ESSH hub unlocks cross-border access to labs, talent pools, corporate partners, and investors that would otherwise be unavailable locally. The network explicitly channels EIC-supported ventures into its services, making it a strategic complement to EIC grants and equity instruments. Hubs that win funding become focal points for pan-European deal-flow and visibility, giving member startups a significant scaling advantage in the single market.
European Commission (DG DEFIS), with EUSPA and the EIF
Space is treated as dual-use across EU funding; CASSINI gives space-defence start-ups an equity pipeline and visibility instruments that stack with EDF and EUDIS applications.
European Investment Fund with the European Commission, under InvestEU
Not a programme you apply to as a company, but it determines which European VCs have fresh defence-mandated capital; track its fund commitments to know who can actually write you a cheque.
European Investment Bank Group
Debt, not grants: the EIB now finances defence companies that banks still avoid, and venture debt from its one-stop shop can extend runway without dilution once you have revenue or strong contracts.