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2026-03-15 08:52 Guides

STEP Scale-Up: Large Investments for Series B+ Startups | EU Grants for STARTUPS

TL;DR: STEP Scale-Up: Large Investments for Series B+ Startups

The STEP Scale-Up program helps Series B+ startups in Europe secure critical funding of €10-30 million to scale groundbreaking technologies. Designed to bridge the gap between venture capital and global-scale growth, it prioritizes sectors like biotech, quantum computing, and clean tech while empowering female-led businesses to compete globally. To qualify, startups must demonstrate commercial viability and emphasize scalability and innovation.

💡 Want to explore additional EU funding options? Dive into the EU Funding Programs Encyclopedia 2026 for more resources and insights.

STEP Scale-Up: Large Investments for Series B+ Startups

The STEP Scale-Up: Large Investments for Series B+ Startups initiative has emerged as a transformative funding opportunity for European startups aiming to scale disruptive technologies. Offering between €10 and €30 million in equity investments per company, this program specifically addresses the critical funding gap between Series B+ rounds and traditional venture capital.
For female entrepreneurs, particularly those leading deep tech startups, the STEP Scale-Up program bridges the gap in large-scale funding, enabling substantial growth without the pitfalls of equity dilution or constrained market access. This initiative prioritizes sectors like clean and resource-efficient technology, biotech, and quantum computing, exactly the industries where European women entrepreneurs are starting to prove their capabilities.
"The STEP Scale-Up investments represent an unparalleled opportunity for Series B+ startups ready to take on global markets."
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Why Does STEP Scale-Up Matter for Series B+ Startups?

Scaling technologies like semiconductors, quantum computing, or biotech into global markets requires far more capital than traditional Series A or B funding rounds provide. This is where the EIC Accelerator Program and STEP Scale-Up fill the gap.
European startups often face difficulties raising large investments due to fragmented markets and conservative investment cultures. Statistics show that more than 40% of deep tech startups fail to secure adequate follow-up funding after initial VC rounds.
STEP Scale-Up addresses this challenge by catalyzing private investment with public backing, enabling financing rounds of €50 to €150 million. These broad-scale rounds unlock growth such as scaling production, international market expansion, and breaking the R&D-to-commercialization bottleneck.

Core Benefits of STEP Scale-Up Funding

  • Large equity investments: Between €10-30 million per startup, funding that otherwise would require multiple venture capital rounds.
  • Private co-investor leverage: Encourages private and public-private funding to reach over €150 million per deal.
  • Focus on deep tech: Prioritizes breakthrough sectors to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness.
  • Women participation: Actively supports female entrepreneurs in male-dominated industries like AI, biotech, and engineering.
With this fund, female-led startups in clean technology and biotech gain an accessible path to scale internationally, avoiding the systemic inequities of traditional venture ecosystems.

How Does the STEP Scale-Up Application Work?

To qualify for STEP Scale-Up, companies must already demonstrate substantial commercial viability through Series A or B funding and aim to scale impactful technologies. Applications remain open on the Funding and Tenders Portal with competitive evaluation deadlines quarterly.
Here are the primary steps:
  1. Prepare a detailed pitch explaining market impact, revenue models, and technological scalability.
  2. Submit metrics of customer traction, IP protection, and prior funding success.
  3. Participate in interviews with EC expert panels to validate alignment with STEP objectives.
Applications undergo rigorous due diligence, so early preparation with an IP strategy is critical. As non-dilutive InvestEU-backed guarantees complement STEP funding, startups reduce dilution risk during negotiation phases.

Common Mistakes in Funding Applications

Founders often underestimate the due diligence needed to fulfill these complex grant applications. Here are the top three pitfalls to avoid:
  • Incomplete documentation: Missing legal, financial, or intellectual property demonstratives delays scoring by evaluators.
  • Over-focusing on small markets: STEP emphasizes scalability, ensure your startup pitch includes larger TAM projections and multi-regional strategies.
  • Neglecting ESG alignment: Sustainable business models often score higher across deep-tech EU programs. Highlight SDG contributions explicitly.

Violetta Bonenkamp’s Blueprint for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe

As the founder of Fe/male Switch and CADChain, I leverage STEP-like grant mechanisms as boots-on-the-ground financial tools for deep tech funding pathways. My ventures pair rigorous market validation with scalable prototypes to secure EU-driven funding.
Startups must exploit every opportunity, including STEP Scale-Up synergies, to cut through Europe's competitive funding thresholds. For female founders building companies in strategic sectors like quantum or IP innovations, these grants are not just funding, they’re launchpads.
"Underfunded ecosystems force creative outsiders to pioneer scalable breakthroughs. The STEP initiative helps align disruptive scaling with Europe’s innovation goals."
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Closing Thoughts: Scale, Sustain, Succeed

STEP Scale-Up represents a paradigm shift, fewer compromises between equity dilution or market access. More importantly for startup ecosystems in 2026, it repositions the EU as an active co-investor in scaling pivotal technologies rather than leaving global-scale ambitions to Chinese or US venture dynamics.
But beyond technologies, female founders navigating STEP opportunities must align closely to sustainability requirements or Stage-specific milestones. EU-driven investment pairs optimally with alternative resources through policies like startup scaling complements. Together, these filters redefine how new entrants penetrate global markets.

People Also Ask:

How risky is a series B startup?

Series B startups carry moderate risks compared to seed or Series A investments. While they often demonstrate a more developed business model and some revenue traction, potential challenges remain, such as market fluctuations, operational hurdles, or changes in industry trends. Investors should be aware of these risks while gauging long-term growth potential.

What is the EU STEP Scale Up?

The EU STEP Scale Up program is an initiative under the European Innovation Council offering capital between €10 million and €30 million per company. This funding is intended to attract private investments and help innovative European ventures scale up, achieving financing rounds of €50 to €150 million or more.

How to invest in Series B funding?

To invest in Series B funding, look for startups demonstrating strong traction, stable revenue streams, and scalable business plans. Engage with venture capital funds specialized in later-stage investments or consider joining angel investor networks to identify promising opportunities. Diversified portfolios can manage associated investment risks effectively.

What is the range of Series B investments?

The typical range for Series B funding rounds is between $10 million and $50 million. These investments help established startups accelerate development, expand their teams, and prepare for larger market entry with sufficient operational resources.

Who are the primary investors in Series B funding?

Series B funding primarily attracts venture capital firms, with earlier investors often participating to maintain their stake. These funding rounds sometimes include corporate investors or growth equity firms looking for mature, scalable startups.

When do startups typically seek Series B funding?

Startups pursue Series B funding after achieving product-market fit and generating a stable revenue base. This stage often follows the Series A round as the business scales operations, expands its user base, or enters new markets.

What sectors dominate Series B investments?

Technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS), healthcare innovation, and sustainability-driven sectors often dominate Series B investments. These industries attract venture capital due to their significant growth potential and scalability.

What are the challenges for startups raising Series B?

Challenges include maintaining revenue growth while expanding, meeting investors' increasing expectations for scalability, and addressing competitive pressures. Strong business models and operational efficiency play critical roles in overcoming these hurdles.

How can investors evaluate Series B opportunities?

Investors should assess traction metrics like revenue growth and customer retention, examine the scalability of a company's operational model, and consider leadership capabilities. Conducting thorough due diligence can help identify profitable opportunities.

What are the benefits of EU STEP Scale Up funding for startups?

The EU STEP Scale Up program provides startups with substantial funding to bridge the equity gap, encourage private co-investments, and scale innovative solutions. It enables companies to reach new milestones in product development and market expansion.

FAQ on STEP Scale-Up: Large Investments for Series B+ Startups

How does the STEP Scale-Up program address Europe’s funding gap?

STEP Scale-Up fills Europe’s Series B+ funding gap by providing €10-30 million equity investments. This boosts startups needing €50+ million rounds, enabling deep tech companies to scale globally without solely relying on fragmented VC ecosystems. Read insights from €1 billion scale-up examples.

Who qualifies for the STEP Scale-Up program?

Qualifying startups must show revenue traction, Series A/B funding, and scalability potential in critical sectors like biotech or quantum computing. Companies must align innovation with EU priorities such as strategic technology autonomy and sustainability benchmarks.

Why is STEP Scale-Up particularly valuable for deep tech startups?

Deep tech innovations often require sizable funding gaps beyond Series B. STEP Scale-Up leverages public-private co-investments to fund R&D commercialization, manufacturing scaling, and international operations, sectors traditional VC overlooks. Explore other global deep tech grants.

How does the program support female founders in male-dominated industries?

STEP Scale-Up prioritizes underrepresented women-led startups to address Europe’s inequity. Female innovators in AI, clean tech, or biotech gain non-dilutive pathways minimizing capital barriers, helping break into traditionally male-dominated sectors.

How does STEP Scale-Up funding integrate with other EU grants?

STEP Scale-Up synergizes with EU programs like EIC Pathfinder and InvestEU-backed loan guarantees. Combined, these initiatives de-risk scaling projects, ensuring startups maximize capital without unnecessary dilution or growth slowdowns.

What industries does the STEP Scale-Up program prioritize?

The program focuses on strategic sectors like clean energy, biotech, digital infrastructure, and quantum technologies. These align with the EU’s vision of enhancing technological leadership through sustainable, resource-efficient innovation ecosystems.

What common mistakes should applicants avoid during the process?

Avoid incomplete documentation, small market focus, or poor ESG linkage in proposals. Strong applications emphasize scalability, Intellectual Property (IP) readiness, customer traction metrics, and SDG contributions ensuring competitive evaluations.

How can startups ensure smooth application evaluations?

Successful applications rely on early preparation. Create a comprehensive pitch with revenue models, verified customer demand, and R&D scalability. Use mock panels or accelerators like EIC BAS to refine your submissions ahead of quarterly deadlines.

How does STEP Scale-Up impact Europe’s startup ecosystem?

By closing scaling gaps for strategic innovations, STEP Scale-Up positions the EU as a global deep-tech leader. Its €300m annual funding catalyzes €50-150m rounds that boost European competitiveness in clean resources and precision technologies.

Does STEP offer non-funding benefits for participating startups?

Beyond capital, startups access expert mentoring, co-investor networks, and EU Business Acceleration Services. These resources help establish global collaborations, strengthen execution strategies, and meet the program’s sustainability-driven objectives efficiently.