EU Opens €100 Million Defence Tech Call, Offering Up to €30 Million Equity

2 articles · Updated · ieu-monitoring.com · Jun 18

€100 million in new EIC funding will back defence and dual-use companies, with the EU for the first time allowing direct equity investment in defence firms.
Startups and SMEs developing AI, quantum, robotics and advanced materials can now seek grants of up to €2.5 million and equity of up to €30 million under the amended 2026 EIC programme.
The new STEP Defence Scale Up call is open to companies in the EU, Horizon Europe-associated EEA countries and Ukraine, targeting air and missile defence, drones and counter-drone systems.
Brussels said the change implements its Defence Mini-Omnibus, aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence industrial base, cutting reliance on external suppliers and advancing strategic autonomy.
The EIC expects to co-invest in funding rounds of €50 million to €150 million or more, seeking to crowd in at least three to five times its own investment.

Sources

ieu-monitoring.com7h ago

EU Commission Expands EIC Funding to Defence and Dual-Use Technologies, Launches €100M Call

EUbusiness7h ago

EU launches EUR 100m defence scale up call, extends research funding to defence - EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics

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EU Launches €100 Million EIC Defence Tech Call: Transforming Europe's Innovation and Security Landscape

Overview

On June 17, 2026, the European Innovation Council launched the €100 Million Defence Tech Call, marking a new era for EU innovation. This initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s capabilities in critical defence technologies, such as advanced drones, cyber defence, and quantum technologies. By driving investment in these vital areas, the EU demonstrates its commitment to technological leadership and strategic autonomy for the future. The call underpins Europe’s long-term innovation goals and offers opportunities for startups and researchers, with a dedicated info session scheduled to guide applicants through the process.

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