Deep tech startups are tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges, from climate change to next-generation computing. But building these science-based companies is both capital-intensive and time-consuming; thus, it is rarely possible to bring them to life without outside support.
Across the continent, several European deep tech support programmes are helping these businesses break out of the lab and into the market. Here are 9 programs that offer not only funding but also access to expertise, partners, and markets, helping European deep tech companies develop their ideas from early validation to international growth.
1. EIC Accelerator 2026
Who is this for?
Startups and SMEs with high-impact, market-creating, or market-disrupting innovations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-8.
Support available:
Grants up to €2.5M, equity up to €10M; possible additional funding under STEP.
About the program
EIC Accelerator is designed to support high-risk innovations that private investors may not fund alone. Startups can apply for grant-only, blended finance, or equity-only depending on their maturity and funding needs. Beyond funding, the program also offers coaching, mentoring, investor access, and global partnerships through the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services.
Applications follow a three-step process: short proposal, full proposal, and jury interview. Short proposals can be submitted at any time and are evaluated monthly. Full proposals must be submitted every second month throughout the year, with the first deadline on January 7, 2025.
2. EIC Pathfinders
Who is this for?
Breakthrough deep tech research projects at TRL 1-4, focusing on radical scientific and technological innovations with the potential to create entirely new markets.
Support available:
Grants up to €4 million, €50,000 booster grants to explore the commercialisation potential of research outcomes, coaching, mentoring, and access to the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services.
About the program
EIC Pathfinders primarily targets research teams working in consortia, though single applicants can apply under the Pathfinder Challenges track. It is designed for projects with a high degree of scientific ambition and risk, aiming to develop the scientific foundation for future breakthrough technologies in Europe.
Applicants may submit proposals to either Pathfinder Open (no predefined topics) or Pathfinder Challenges (focused thematic areas). Proposals must demonstrate a radically new long-term technological vision, a credible high-risk/high-gain research approach, and clear scientific objectives.
Applications are submitted through the EU’s Funding & Tenders Portal (registration required), with annual deadlines: May 12, 2026, for Pathfinder Open and October 28, 2026, for Pathfinder Challenges.
3. EIC Transition
Who is it for?
SMEs, startups, spin-offs, and research organisations in maturing and validating novel technologies, typically moving from TRL 3-4 to TRL 5-6.
Support available:
Non-dilutive grants up to €2.5 million, €50,000 booster grants for complementary commercialization activities, access to the EIC’s tailor-made Business Acceleration Services, including coaching, mentoring, investor networks, and global innovation partners.
About the program
EIC Transition is open to single applicants (SMEs, startups, spin-offs, research groups) as well as small consortia of up to 5 organisations, making it accessible to both research-driven teams and commercially oriented innovators.
It focuses on bridging the gap between early scientific results and commercially relevant applications by funding both technological development and market readiness activities, including business planning and customer validation.
To qualify, applicants must build on EU-funded research results with clear commercial potential or have a novel technology ready for the next stage of validation, supported by early market insights and a committed entrepreneurial team.
The application process includes proposal submission, remote evaluation, and a jury interview, with the Transition Open call available for projects in any scientific or technological field.
4. Eurostars
Who is it for?
Collaborative R&D projects led by innovative SMEs and startups.
Support available:
Access to public R&D funding through national funding agencies (here), access to international partners in global markets.
About the program
As the world’s largest SME-focused R&D programme, Eurostars helps teams develop new products, processes, and services with strong commercialisation potential through cross-border collaboration.
The projects applying must be international and collaborative, led by an SME from a Eurostars country and involving at least one additional partner from another participating country. Partners may include startups, corporates, universities, or research organisations.
Funding levels and eligible costs vary by country, as each national funding agency applies its own rules, reimbursement rates, and evaluation processes.
5. EPIC-X
Who is it for?
Women-led deep tech startups developing impactful technologies that can boost Europe’s competitiveness and innovation resilience.
Support available:
€60,000 in grant funding
About the program
EPIC-X is a Europe-wide acceleration initiative designed to elevate women-led deep tech startups, helping them strengthen their technology, grow their businesses, and integrate into Europe’s broader innovation landscape.
Funded under Horizon Europe, the program specifically targets 16 “moderate” and “emerging” innovator countries. To qualify, the company must be founded before January 1, 2024, have at least one woman holding a founder or C-level position, and have achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a seed round.
Altogether, EPIC-X will select 20 women-led deep tech startups and provide €1.2M in total equity-free financial support. Each selected startup receives a lump-sum grant and entry into the EPIC-X Acceleration+ Programme, a six-month-long program that includes personalised growth plans, monthly operational support, and dedicated mentoring from a network of more than 100 experts.
Deadline for submissions is January 5, 2026.
6. Ignite Next
Who is it for?
Early-stage, high-impact startups developing breakthrough technologies in semiconductors, physical AI, advanced computing, and other frontier domains.
Support available:
Technical mentorship, commercial validation, and investor engagement.
About the program
Ignite Next is Europe’s scale-up program for deep tech innovation, founded by the former Intel Ignite leadership team and now independently operated. The program partners with leading technology companies to connect startups with world-class technical and business expertise, turning “breakthrough innovation into breakout success”.
Rather than operating as a traditional accelerator, Ignite Next positions itself as the missing link between startups and industry – a hands-on, non-dilutive program helping founders scale IP-heavy breakthrough technologies from Pre-Seed to Series B and beyond.
Each three-month cohort is highly selective, typically drawing over 300 applications for just ten places. The applications for the Q1 2026 cohort are now open.
7. Da Vinci Labs
Who is it for?
Deep tech researchers, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs looking to turn frontier technologies into fundable, scalable startups with strong societal and environmental impact.
Support available:
Structured venture-building and acceleration programmes, grant-writing and public funding support (no win, no pay approach), direct pre-seed/seed investment of up to €200,000.
About the program
Da Vinci Labs is a deep tech incubator, accelerator, and early-stage investor dedicated to helping founders transform scientific discoveries into impactful companies. The program focuses on quantum technologies, AI, and synthetic biology, and other ventures addressing global ecological and societal challenges.
Founders can join through two main tracks: the Launchpad venture-studio programme for turning early research into validated business concepts, and the Acceleration Programme for startups preparing to fundraise, build partnerships, or enter new markets.
8. DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF)
Who is it for?
Deep tech and climate tech startups and scaleups from Germany & broader Europe developing breakthrough technologies with long development cycles, high capital needs, and the potential to transform entire industries.
Support available:
€5-50 million per company, long-term strategic partnership, growth financing, internationalisation support, and connection to a network of private and institutional investors.
About the program
DeepTech Climate & Fonds (DTCF) – now under the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) umbrella – is a long-term European investment initiative backing technologies that can reshape major industries and strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness. The program supports founders working on transformative deep tech and climate tech solutions that address global challenges and require significant capital to reach commercial maturity.
Acting as a committed partner rather than a short-term investor, DTCF works alongside entrepreneurs, venture capital funds, corporates, and family offices to ensure sustainable growth. The fund supports companies throughout their scaling journey, including internationalisation, operational strengthening, and the design of future-ready exit strategies.
DTCF also plays a connective role within Europe’s innovation landscape, bridging high-tech startups, SMEs, and long-term investors to foster resilience and accelerate technological leadership. The fund dedicates a total of €1 billion to Europe’s tech ecosystem.
9. Deep Tech Alliance
Who is it for?
Deep tech startups and scaleups emerging from European university- and research-linked ecosystems building science-based technologies in one of four verticals: manufacturing, energy, utility, and buildings.
Support available:
Access to international corporates and investors, curated matchmaking, joint business creation programmes, ecosystem connections, and cross-border market access opportunities.
About the program
DeepTech Alliance is a private, non-profit European association of leading entrepreneurship hubs affiliated with universities and research institutions. Its purpose is to help science-based deep-tech innovation to scale internationally.
Each year, alliance members collectively assess more than 10,000 deep tech ventures across Europe and actively support hundreds through their local programmes. The alliance focuses on four strategic domains aligned with Europe’s industrial priorities: manufacturing (autonomous systems, industrial software, circularity), energy (clean energy, hydrogen, storage, renewables), utility (smart infrastructure, grid efficiency, connectivity), and buildings (construction robotics, circular materials, smart building systems).
