EU funding for startups: top 20 grants to apply for in 2025
Top 20 EU Funding Programs for Startup Grants Currently Open for Submission
The European Union offers a wide range of funding programs to support startups and SMEs in their innovative endeavors. These programs provide grants, equity investments, and tailored support to help businesses scale and bring groundbreaking technologies to market. Below is a comprehensive list of the top 20 EU funding programs currently open for submission, including details and links to their respective websites.
1. EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator supports startups and SMEs with innovative products or services that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones. It offers grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments ranging from €0.5 to €10 million. The program includes both Open and Challenge calls, focusing on strategic technologies like generative AI, space tech, and future mobility.
This program provides equity investments ranging from €10 to €30 million for SMEs and small mid-caps in strategic technology sectors such as digital, clean tech, and biotechnologies. It aims to bridge the funding gap for high-risk innovations.
EIC Pathfinder funds visionary, multi-disciplinary research projects with the potential for breakthrough technologies. Grants of up to €4 million are available for early-stage research.
This program supports turning research results into innovation opportunities. Grants of up to €2.5 million are available for projects following up on EIC Pathfinder or Horizon Europe results.
5. EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support for Startups
EIT Urban Mobility offers up to €2 million per company for innovative urban mobility solutions. The program focuses on sustainable cities, clean energy, and climate action and is open to startups from RIS countries and others.
This program accelerates the digital transformation of Europe, supporting projects in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills. It is open to SMEs and startups.
EIC Challenges 2025 focuses on five key areas: advanced materials, low-emission food systems, generative AI, space tech, and future mobility. Each challenge has a budget of €50 million.
EUopSTART provides grants to cover 50% of the costs incurred in preparing Horizon Europe applications. It is open to Danish enterprises and research institutions.
The EIC Seal of Excellence awards recognition to high-quality projects that meet evaluation criteria but are not funded. It facilitates access to alternative funding sources.
EIC Accelerator Open is open to proposals in any field of technology, with a budget of €384 million in 2025. It supports startups and SMEs with high-risk innovations.
EIC Pathfinder Challenges focuses on emerging technologies like autonomous construction robots and climate-resilient crops, with a budget of €120 million in 2025.
For a complete list of EU funding programs, including those not mentioned here, you can visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. This portal provides detailed information on all available funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines.
Whether you're working on cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions, or digital transformation, these programs offer valuable resources to help your business grow and succeed. Be sure to explore the links provided for more details and to start your application process today!