Top 20 Equity-Free Grants for Startups in 2025

Top 20 Equity-Free Grants for Startups in Europe in 2025

Equity-free grants are a lifeline for startups, providing essential funding without diluting ownership.

In 2025, Europe offers a wide range of such grants to support innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Below is a detailed list of the top 20 equity-free grants for startups in Europe, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines.

1. EIC Accelerator

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs with innovative products or services that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
Funding Amount: Grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments ranging from €0.5 to €10 million.
Deadline: Continuous short applications; full application deadlines on 12 March 2025 and 1 October 2025.
Link: EIC Accelerator

2. EIC Pathfinder

Eligibility: Research teams working on visionary, multi-disciplinary research projects with breakthrough potential.
Funding Amount: Grants up to €4 million.
Deadline: Check the EIC Pathfinder page for specific deadlines.
Link: EIC Pathfinder

3. EIC Transition

Eligibility: Projects following up on EIC Pathfinder or Horizon Europe results.
Funding Amount: Grants up to €2.5 million.
Deadline: Check the EIC Transition page for specific deadlines.
Link: EIC Transition

4. EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support for Startups

Eligibility: Startups from RIS countries and others working on innovative urban mobility solutions.
Funding Amount: Up to €2 million per company.
Deadline: Check the EIT Urban Mobility website for deadlines.
Link: EIT Urban Mobility

5. Horizon Europe – Digital Europe Programme

Eligibility: SMEs and startups working on AI, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills.
Funding Amount: Varies by project.
Deadline: Check the Digital Europe Programme page for deadlines.
Link: Digital Europe Programme

6. Horizon Europe – Innovation Fund

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs working on climate-neutral solutions.
Funding Amount: Varies by project.
Deadline: Check the Innovation Fund page for deadlines.
Link: Innovation Fund

7. EIC Challenges 2025

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs working on advanced materials, low-emission food systems, generative AI, space tech, and future mobility.
Funding Amount: €50 million per challenge.
Deadline: Check the EIC Challenges page for deadlines.
Link: EIC Challenges

8. EUopSTART

Eligibility: Danish enterprises and research institutions.
Funding Amount: Covers 50% of the costs incurred in preparing Horizon Europe applications.
Deadline: Check the EUopSTART website for deadlines.
Link: EUopSTART

9. EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS)

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs funded under EIC programs.
Funding Amount: Non-financial support, including coaching, mentoring, and access to global partners.
Deadline: Continuous access for eligible companies.
Link: EIC BAS

10. EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

Eligibility: SMEs and startups in strategic technology sectors.
Funding Amount: Equity investments and acceleration services.
Deadline: Check the STEP page for deadlines.
Link: EIC STEP

11. EIC Seal of Excellence

Eligibility: Projects that meet evaluation criteria but are not funded.
Funding Amount: Non-financial recognition and access to alternative funding sources.
Deadline: Automatic for eligible projects.
Link: EIC Seal of Excellence

12. EIC Accelerator Open

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs with high-risk innovations in any field of technology.
Funding Amount: Budget of €384 million in 2025.
Deadline: Continuous short applications; full application deadlines on 12 March 2025 and 1 October 2025.
Link: EIC Accelerator Open

13. EIC Accelerator Challenges

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs working on generative AI, space tech, and future mobility.
Funding Amount: Budget of €250 million in 2025.
Deadline: Check the EIC Accelerator Challenges page for deadlines.
Link: EIC Accelerator Challenges

14. EIC Fund

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs funded under EIC programs.
Funding Amount: Equity investments through the EIC Accelerator and STEP Scale-Up programs.
Deadline: Continuous access for eligible companies.
Link: EIC Fund

15. EIC Scaling Club

Eligibility: Deep tech scale-ups supported by the EIC.
Funding Amount: Networking and funding opportunities.
Deadline: Check the EIC Scaling Club page for deadlines.
Link: EIC Scaling Club

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16. EIC Pathfinder Challenges

Eligibility: Research teams working on emerging technologies like autonomous construction robots and climate-resilient crops.
Funding Amount: Budget of €120 million in 2025.
Deadline: Check the EIC Pathfinder Challenges page for deadlines.
Link: EIC Pathfinder Challenges

17. EIC Transition Challenges

Eligibility: Projects transitioning research results into market-ready innovations.
Funding Amount: Budget of €98 million in 2025.
Deadline: Check the EIC Transition Challenges page for deadlines.
Link: EIC Transition Challenges

18. EIC STEP Seal

Eligibility: Projects meeting evaluation thresholds in STEP calls.
Funding Amount: Non-financial recognition and access to additional funding.
Deadline: Automatic for eligible projects.
Link: EIC STEP Seal

19. EIC BAS for Widening Countries

Eligibility: Startups from countries with lower research and innovation performance.
Funding Amount: Tailored support, including coaching and mentoring.
Deadline: Continuous access for eligible companies.
Link: EIC BAS for Widening Countries

20. Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation

Eligibility: Startups and SMEs promoting learning, collaboration, and innovation across Europe.
Funding Amount: Varies by project.
Deadline: 6 March 2025.
Link: Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation

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For more details on these grants and other funding opportunities, visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

These programs offer valuable resources to help startups grow and succeed in 2025.

Be sure to explore the links provided for more details and to start your application process today!