European deep tech ventures just secured a €1.8 billion lifeline for 2027.
Brussels has locked in its final funding round under the Horizon Europe framework, channeling the money toward researchers, startups, and scale-ups working on strategic technologies. The European Innovation Council Work Programme now targets gaps in growth capital, defense innovation, and support for women founders.
Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva framed the package as the operational core of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. She pointed to mobilizing capital, stimulating customer deals, cutting complexity, and making bold bets on technologies that will shape the future. The longer-term goal: convert Europe’s scientific excellence and industrial strength into companies and lasting competitiveness.
A major piece involves completing the €1 billion commitment to the Scaleup Europe Fund. EQT manages that vehicle, which launched in 2026 and aims to pull in at least €4 billion from outside investors. Average investments exceed €100 million per company.
Meanwhile, the EIC continues its STEP Scale Up scheme for strategic technology firms. The 2027 programme also finalizes €200 million for defense investments and €25 million for Advanced Innovation Challenges, both introduced last year.
Women-led startups receive expanded backing through a redesigned Women TechEU initiative. Individual grants double to €150,000. A new European Prize for Women Innovators in Quantum sits alongside the existing women innovators award, recognizing female entrepreneurs in quantum technologies.
The EIC has operated since 2021 with a budget above €10 billion for the seven-year Horizon period. Its track record includes support for more than 800 companies and nearly 700 research projects. The EIC Fund has deployed close to €2 billion into over 375 deep tech startups, pulling in roughly 3.5 times that amount in co-investment.
New measures will also connect EIC-backed startups with public and private buyers, helping them land first customers and test emerging technologies in real commercial settings.
As a result, Europe’s innovation pipeline gains its clearest funding signal yet before the next framework negotiations begin.
