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Top 20 Startup Grants to Apply for in 2025: Eligibility, Funding, and Deadlines

Securing funding is one of the biggest challenges for startups, but grants can provide a lifeline without diluting equity.

In 2025, numerous grants are available across Europe and beyond, targeting innovative startups in various sectors.

Below is a comprehensive list of the top 20 startup grants, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines. Each entry includes a link to the official website for further details.
Try our AI Grant Finder and Application Writer to quickly find an EU grant that is right for your startup, and have it write a draft of your application.

1. EIC Accelerator

  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs from EU Member States or associated countries with innovative products or services.
  • Funding: 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 from EU Member States or associated countries working on visionary, multi-disciplinary research projects.
  • Funding: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: €50 million per challenge.
  • Deadline: Check the EIC Challenges page for deadlines.
  • Link: EIC Challenges

8. EUopSTART

  • Eligibility: Danish enterprises and research institutions.
  • Funding: 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: 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: Equity investments and acceleration services.
  • Deadline: Check the STEP page for deadlines.
  • Link: EIC STEP
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11. EIC Seal of Excellence

  • Eligibility: Projects that meet evaluation criteria but are not funded.
  • Funding: 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: 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: 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: 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: Networking and funding opportunities.
  • Deadline: Check the EIC Scaling Club page for deadlines.
  • Link: EIC Scaling Club

16. EIC Pathfinder Challenges

  • Eligibility: Research teams working on emerging technologies like autonomous construction robots and climate-resilient crops.
  • Funding: 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: 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: 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: 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: Varies by project.
  • Deadline: 6 March 2025.
  • Link: Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation
These grants provide invaluable support to startups and SMEs across Europe, enabling them to innovate, scale, and make a meaningful impact.

Be sure to explore the links provided for more details and to start your application process today!
2025-01-12 10:55 funding Top in 2025