Business Grants in Europe in 2026: Where to Get Funding

In 2026, European business support programs offer funding ranging from several thousand euros for early-stage teams to tens of millions for technology scale-ups. The EIC Accelerator’s budget alone this year totals €634 million, and individual companies can receive a grant of up to €2.5 million and attract up to €10 million in investments. Programs are also available for AI, biotech, mobility, healthtech, creative industries, and other sectors.

At the same time, the eligibility criteria vary significantly. Some programs are open to companies from all EU countries and states associated with Horizon Europe. Others require the business to be registered in a specific country, participation in an international consortium, or self-co-financing. Therefore, before submitting an application, it is important to check not only the maximum amount of support but also the applicant’s status, sector, project development stage, and eligible expenses.

Below is a compilation of programs relevant in 2026 that businesses can still target, along with their key requirements, funding amounts, and deadlines.

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EIC Accelerator: Up to €2.5 million in grants and €10 million in investments

The EIC Accelerator is one of the EU’s largest programs for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing high-risk innovations with the potential to create a new market or significantly transform an existing one. The program operates within Horizon Europe and focuses primarily on technologies that have already passed the early stages of development and are at approximately TRL levels 6–8.

In 2026, the total budget for the EIC Accelerator is €634 million. Of this amount, €414 million is allocated to the EIC Accelerator Open, which accepts innovative projects from virtually any technology sector, and another €220 million is allocated to the thematic EIC Accelerator Challenges. This year’s priorities include advanced materials for renewable energy, fusion technologies, biotech for soil restoration, critical raw materials, and deep-tech solutions for climate change adaptation.

Financial support may include:

- A grant of less than €2.5 million for innovative activities, which must typically be implemented within 24 months

- Investments ranging from €1 million to €10 million in the form of equity or quasi-equity

- Blended finance, i.e., a combination of grants and investment funding

- Access to Business Acceleration Services, mentors, investors, and corporate partners

Individual startups and SMEs may apply, and in certain cases, individuals planning to establish a company may also apply. Small mid-caps are also eligible for investment-only funding.

The selection process consists of several stages. First, the company submits a short proposal. If it passes the evaluation, the applicant is invited to prepare a full proposal, after which the strongest projects undergo an interview with the EIC jury. Short proposals can be submitted throughout the year, so companies are not limited to a single annual call for proposals.

The EIC Accelerator is primarily worth considering for companies for which a small startup grant is no longer sufficient. The European Commission is looking for projects with high technological risk, significant scaling potential, and a need for funding that the private market is not yet ready to provide on its own.

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EIC STEP Scale Up: €10 million to €30 million for business scaling

EIC STEP Scale Up is no longer focused on early-stage startups, but rather on companies that have proven the viability of their technology and are preparing for a major funding round. In 2026, the program’s budget is €300 million, and a single company can raise between €10 million and €30 million in the form of equity investment.

The program’s main goal is to help European technology companies close large funding rounds of approximately €50–150 million or more. The EIC acts not as the sole investor but as a catalyst for private capital: the applicant must demonstrate initial interest from a qualified investor willing to cover at least 20% of the planned funding round.

Funding is primarily directed toward strategic technology sectors:

- Digital and deep tech

- Clean and resource-efficient technologies

- Net-zero technologies

- Biotechnology

Individual SMEs, startups, and small mid-caps with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply. An investor may also submit an application on behalf of a company that meets the program’s criteria. For most participants, the company must be registered in an EU member state or a relevant associated country.

The competition operates on a continuous submission basis: applications can be submitted throughout the year, and evaluations take place several times. Following the conclusion of the September round, the next application selection date in 2026 is November 25.

Competition is fierce. For example, in the round whose results were announced in July 2026, the EIC received 24 applications, invited 17 companies for interviews, and only six met all the criteria and were recommended for investment. Collectively, they could receive approximately €97 million. In the April selection round, out of 44 applicants, eight companies were recommended for funding.

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EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support to Startups: Up to €2.5 Million for Mobility Projects

The EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support to Startups program funds startups working in the field of urban mobility. In 2026, a single company can secure up to €2.5 million. The next and final deadline this year is November 16, 2026.

Five areas are prioritized: urban logistics, shared mobility and public transportation, mobility data management, transportation electrification and alternative fuels, as well as solutions at the intersection of health and mobility.

The program is not intended for ideas without a finished product, but rather for companies that already have an MVP, prototype, or pilot and are raising private capital. EIT Urban Mobility participates in the current investment round alongside venture capital funds or other private investors and, as a rule, does not act as the lead investor.

Key criteria for applicants:

- The company must be in the pre-seed, seed, or Series A stage and already be actively conducting a fundraising round

- The product must be related to the urban mobility market

- A prototype, pilot, or MVP is required

- The company’s pre-money valuation must not exceed €50 million

- Founders or members of the executive team must collectively hold more than 40% of the equity prior to the current round

- The applicant must not already be part of the EIT Urban Mobility equity portfolio

- The legal entity must be registered in an EU country or a country associated with Horizon Europe

The program is most relevant for startups that have already tested their product and are seeking capital to expand into new cities, develop their technology, or scale their business model.

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AI Entrepreneurs Lab: €10,000 for AI and robotics projects

AI Entrepreneurs Lab is a program for master’s students, PhD candidates, graduates, and young teams working on applied solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. In 2026, the competition is open until October 21, and up to five of the strongest teams can each receive €10,000 to develop their project.

The program is specifically designed for early-stage projects. You can apply even without a registered company—individually or as a team of up to two people. At the same time, the idea must have a clear practical application and real potential for building a business.

Key criteria:

- AI or robotics must be a central part of the product, not a supporting feature

- The project must solve a specific market problem

- Early-stage concepts or recently founded pre-launch startups are eligible

- Priority areas include AI agents, autonomous systems, edge AI, AI infrastructure, robotics intelligence, trustworthy AI, generative models, and industrial AI

- Applicants must be prepared to test their idea with real users and present it to investors and experts

Up to 15 participants will be selected for the program. They will undergo a five-day bootcamp in three cities, featuring mentorship, customer discovery, business model testing, and preparation for raising investment. The final stage is Demo Day, following which up to five teams will receive cash prizes. Travel and accommodation expenses may also be covered for participants.

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EIT Health Innovation Uptake: Up to €650,000 for Healthtech Solutions

The EIT Health Innovation Uptake Call focuses on digital, data-driven, and AI solutions in the healthcare sector that have already passed the early stages of development and are ready to scale in the European market. In 2026, the total budget for the call is up to €5.2 million, and a single project can receive up to €650,000. The deadline for submitting applications is September 16, 2026.

Funding covers a maximum of 50% of the total project cost, so applicants must provide their own or third-party co-funding. For SMEs leading a consortium, the grant provides for €400,000–€500,000. In total, EIT Health plans to fund up to eight projects.

Key requirements:

- The consortium must consist of at least two independent legal entities from different countries

- Partners must represent at least two components of the Knowledge Triangle: business, research, or education

- The project must be led by an SME or another company responsible for commercializing the solution

- Individuals are not eligible to apply

- Applicants must be registered in countries that meet the requirements of Horizon Europe

- The solution must be sufficiently mature for market entry and scaling

Funding may be used for pilot implementation of the technology in real-world healthcare facilities, product adaptation to the market, usability testing, business model validation, health economic analysis, and development of a reimbursement strategy.

EIT Health also sets specific performance metrics. Funded solutions must enter the market and generate at least €10,000 in revenue within one year of the project’s completion, and potentially reach at least 150,000 patients or citizens within three years.

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EIT Culture & Creativity Shape / Scale: up to €500,000 for creative businesses

In August 2026, EIT Culture & Creativity launched a new call for startups and scale-ups in the cultural and creative industries. The program’s total budget is €8.6 million, and applications are being accepted until October 12, 2026. Three sectors are prioritized in the current call for proposals: fashion, architecture, and audiovisual media.

Funding is divided into two tracks:

1. Shape Acceleration Programme – up to €100,000 for startups with already validated market demand; the top teams after Demo Day can receive up to an additional €100,000

2. Scale Post-Acceleration Program—up to €200,000 for startups and scale-ups with a proven product-market fit and recurring revenue

3. Companies headquartered in countries participating in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme may apply for up to €500,000 under the Scale track.

Key requirements:

- The applicant must be a registered commercial company

- The business must operate in the cultural or creative sector

- The legal entity must be registered in an EU country or a country associated with Horizon Europe

- The solution must be technology-based, market-oriented, and have the potential for intellectual property exploitation

- For Shape, initial evidence of traction is required, such as pilot customers or initial revenues

- For Scale, product-market fit, recurring revenue, and the potential for international scaling are required

- Scale participants must have either already raised at least €200,000 in investment over the past 18 months or have a lead investor and signed term sheets for at least the same amount

EIT Culture & Creativity may cover up to 100% of eligible expenses, provided they are not funded concurrently by other EU programs. Funds can be used, in particular, for business development, entering new markets, marketing, team expansion, working with investors, and legal or IP support. The program plans to support approximately 50 companies.

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Gründungszuschuss in Germany: Support for Starting Your Own Business

Gründungszuschuss is a program run by the German Federal Employment Agency for people receiving Arbeitslosengeld I who plan to become self-employed. It is not an investment grant for scaling a company, but rather financial support at the start of a business to help cover the entrepreneur’s personal expenses during the first few months of operation.

In the first phase, the applicant can receive, for 6 months, an amount equivalent to their Arbeitslosengeld I benefit, plus €300 per month for social insurance. After that, the support can be extended for another 9 months at a rate of €300 per month.

Basic requirements:

- The applicant must be receiving Arbeitslosengeld I

- At the time of becoming self-employed, the applicant must have at least 150 days of remaining entitlement to benefits

- The future business must become the applicant’s primary occupation

- The applicant must demonstrate professional knowledge and experience sufficient to run a business

- The business model must be economically viable

- The viability of the business plan must be confirmed by a competent organization, such as a chamber of commerce, a bank, or a tax advisor

Before submitting an application, you must prepare a business plan, financial projections, a description of your business activities, and proof of professional qualifications. The final decision is made by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, so payment is not automatic even if the formal requirements are met.

The program is most useful for those who are already in Germany, are eligible for Arbeitslosengeld I, and want to transition from salaried employment or unemployment to running their own business without a sharp drop in income during the first few months.

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ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld in Germany: Up to €200,000 for New Businesses

The ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld from the state-owned KfW bank is a preferential loan for founders and young companies in Germany. The maximum funding amount is €200,000, of which up to €80,000 can be used for working capital. Equity capital is not required to participate in the program.

The loan can be used for equipment, transportation, premises, salaries, rent, marketing, consulting, purchasing goods, as well as for acquiring an existing business or a stake in a company. The loan term can be up to 10 years, with a grace period of up to 2 years during which no principal payments are required. KfW assumes 80% of the credit risk, which simplifies access to financing for companies with limited collateral.

Key requirements:

- The company must be registered and make investments in Germany

- The business must have been operating for no more than 5 years

- Founders, freelancers, start-ups, and entrepreneurs who are purchasing or inheriting a business are eligible to apply

- Both primary and secondary business activities are permitted

- The program is geared toward small businesses, not medium-sized or large companies

- Starting in February 2026, financing will once again be available to certain non-profit and social enterprises

Applications are submitted not directly to KfW, but through a bank or other financial partner. It is important to apply for the loan before the funded project begins. The maximum limit of €200,000 has been in effect since December 2025; prior to that, it was €125,000.

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Business Partnerships Program in Ukraine: up to €300,000 for joint projects

The Business Partnerships Program in Ukraine is a program run by the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency that supports business partnership projects between Lithuanian and Ukrainian companies. The total budget for the call for proposals is €1 million, and a single project can receive up to €300,000 in funding.

The program focuses on projects that contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, job creation, the development of local production, exports, and long-term business ties between the two countries. For small and medium-sized businesses, funding may cover up to 70% of eligible expenses; companies must cover the remainder on their own.

Key requirements:

- The project must be implemented as a partnership between a Lithuanian and a Ukrainian company

- Applicants must have a clear business model and a defined economic impact

- The project must involve genuine commercial cooperation, not merely consulting or humanitarian activities

- Co-financing from the applicant is required

- Expenses must align with the program’s objectives and be supported by documentation

- Preference is given to initiatives with the potential to create jobs, develop production, and strengthen business ties between Lithuania and Ukraine

This program is worth considering for companies that already have or are planning a partnership with a Lithuanian business and are seeking funding for a joint investment or production project.

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European Prize for Women Innovators: up to €100,000 for women entrepreneurs

The European Prize for Women Innovators is a joint initiative of the European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The program supports women who have founded or lead innovative companies in Europe. The current call for applications opened on September 2, 2026, and applications will be accepted until December 1, 2026.

Funding varies by category. The main EIC Women Innovators category offers three prizes:

- €100,000 for first place

- €70,000 for second place

- €50,000 for third place

For Rising Innovators—promising female entrepreneurs under the age of 35—the prizes are €50,000, €30,000, and €20,000. The EIT Women Leadership Award is a separate category with prizes of €50,000, €30,000, and €20,000.

Key criteria:

- The applicant must be a woman and the founder or co-founder of an innovative company

- The company must be registered in an EU country or a country associated with Horizon Europe

- The business must have a genuine innovative component and demonstrate a significant economic or societal impact

- For the Rising Innovators category, there is an age limit of 35 years

- Each participant may apply for only one category

The business focus is not limited to a single sector: relevant areas include deep tech, digital solutions, health, climate technologies, biotech, and other innovative fields. Winners are selected by an independent jury based on the level of innovation, the business’s impact, and the applicant’s leadership achievements.

Unlike most grant programs, there is no need to form a consortium or submit a separate project budget. This is a cash prize for an already established innovative business and the achievements of its founder.

What should you check before applying for a grant?

Even a strong business project can be rejected if the applicant does not formally meet the competition’s requirements or has calculated the budget incorrectly. Before submitting an application, it is important to separately verify eligibility, eligible expenses, and co-financing requirements.

First and foremost, pay attention to the following criteria:

- Company status—startup, SME, mid-cap, nonprofit, or individual

- Country of registration and the list of eligible countries

- Length of time the business has been in operation, if the program has restrictions for young companies

- Product stage—idea, prototype, MVP, pilot, market-ready solution

- Requirements for an equity contribution or securing a private investor

- Eligible expenses: salaries, equipment, R&D, marketing, consulting, pilot projects

- Requirement for an international consortium or partners from multiple countries

- Deadline and submission format—some programs have one call for proposals per year, while others operate on a continuous submission basis

- Mandatory financial and market metrics, such as revenue, valuation, investments raised, or number of customers

It is particularly important to correctly assess co-financing. If the program covers 50% of expenses, a grant of €500,000 effectively means that the total project budget must be approximately €1 million. The company must secure the remaining funds on its own or from other eligible sources.

Most programs also require a business plan, financial model, product description, project budget, pitch deck, and proof of market demand. For R&D and deep-tech competitions, technical documentation, intellectual property details, technology readiness level, and a commercialization plan may also be required.

Another important point is the rules regarding double funding. The same expenses generally cannot be covered simultaneously by two EU programs. Therefore, companies already receiving national or European support must verify the compatibility of funding sources before submitting a new application.

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