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Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Europe in 2025

Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Europe in 2025

Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Europe in 2025

As the AI revolution gathers steam, numerous funding opportunities are emerging for startups across Europe in 2025. These grants not only provide crucial financial backing but also open doors to resources and networks essential for growth. Below are the Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Europe in 2025, detailing descriptions, funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and links to official sources.
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1. EIC Accelerator

Description: Supports startups and SMEs with highly innovative products or services that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. Focused on scaling up.
Funding: Grants up to €2.5 million; equity investments from €0.5 to €10 million. Higher amounts available in STEP Scale-Up.
Focus: Open to all technology fields, with particular challenges in areas like generative AI, space tech, and future mobility.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant and Equity Funding
  • Amount: Up to €2.5M Grant & €10M Equity
  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs
  • Deadline: Continuous short applications; full application deadlines on March 12, 2025, and October 1, 2025.
  • Learn more about EIC Accelerator

2. EIC STEP Scale-Up

Description: Provides large equity investments to companies driving innovation in strategic technology sectors, aiming to reduce dependencies on non-EU technologies.
Funding: Investments from €10 to €30 million per company.
Focus: Deep tech, digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies.
Data Points:
  • Type: Equity Investment
  • Amount: €10M - €30M
  • Eligibility: SMEs and small mid-caps in strategic tech.
  • Deadline: Check official website for updated calls.
  • Discover EIC STEP Scale-Up

3. EIC Pathfinder

Description: Funds visionary, multidisciplinary research projects with the potential for breakthrough technologies.
Funding: Grants up to €4 million.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Up to €4M
  • Eligibility: Research teams with visionary projects.
  • Deadline: Check the EIC Pathfinder page for specific deadlines.
  • Learn about EIC Pathfinder
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4. EIC Transition

Description: Supports projects that turn research results into innovation opportunities, acting as a follow-up to EIC Pathfinder or Horizon Europe projects.
Funding: Grants up to €2.5 million.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Up to €2.5M
  • Eligibility: Projects following EIC Pathfinder or Horizon Europe results.
  • Deadline: Check the EIC Transition page for specific deadlines.
  • Explore EIC Transition

5. EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support for Startups

Description: Funds startups involved in developing innovative urban mobility solutions.
Funding: Up to €2 million per company.
Focus: Sustainable cities, clean energy, and climate action.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Up to €2M
  • Eligibility: Startups from RIS countries and others in urban mobility.
  • Deadline: Check EIT Urban Mobility website for deadlines.
  • Learn about EIT Urban Mobility

6. Horizon Europe – Digital Europe Programme

Description: Supports SMEs and startups working on AI, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills.
Funding: Varies by project.
Focus: AI, cybersecurity, digital technologies.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies by project
  • Eligibility: SMEs and startups in AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills.
  • Deadline: Check the Digital Europe Programme page for deadlines.
  • Discover Horizon Europe

7. Horizon Europe – Innovation Fund

Description: Funds startups and SMEs working on climate-neutral solutions.
Funding: Varies by project.
Focus: Climate-neutral technologies.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies by project
  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs with climate-neutral solutions.
  • Deadline: Check the Innovation Fund page for deadlines.
  • Learn about the Innovation Fund

8. AI Factories Initiative

Description: A call to establish AI Factories aimed at providing computing power, data, and talent for European AI developers.
Funding: Supported by close to €1 billion from the Digital Europe Programme.
Focus: Providing infrastructure and resources for European AI development.
Data Points:
  • Type: Infrastructure access/indirect support.
  • Amount: Access to resources backed by €1B program.
  • Eligibility: Startups, industry, and researchers.
  • Deadline: Continuously open until December 31, 2025, with quarterly cut-off dates.
  • Explore AI Factories Initiative
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9. EIC Challenges Program

Description: Fosters emerging technologies like autonomous robotics, sustainable agriculture, waste conversion, and advanced medical diagnostics.
Funding: €120 million for emerging technologies; €250 million for target technologies.
Focus: Emerging technologies and specific target technologies like generative AI.
Data Points:

10. EU Startup Summit Pitch Competition

Description: A pitch competition for seed and pre-seed startups during the EU-Startups Summit.
Prize Package: Valued at over €750,000 including funding opportunities from various investors.
Focus: Seed and pre-seed startups.
Data Points:
  • Type: Prize/Funding Opportunity
  • Amount: €750,000+ total prize value
  • Eligibility: Seed and pre-seed startups.
  • Deadline: January 31.
  • Explore EU Startup Summit

11. Open Call for European Startups and SMEs in AI, Robotics and Data Technologies

Description: Open call for innovative solutions in robotics, AI, and data technologies.
Funding: Up to €200,000 for startups; up to €140,000 for SMEs.
Focus: Robotics, AI, and Data Technologies.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Up to €200,000 for startups; Up to €140,000 for SMEs.
  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs in the stated fields.
  • Deadline: Check website for updates.
  • Learn more about the Open Call

12. Call for Applications to Support Innovative AI and EDGE Solutions

Description: Applications open for RTO, academia, SMEs, startups, and researchers to develop innovative AI and EDGE solutions.
Funding: Maximum lump sum of up to €60,000.
Focus: AI and EDGE solutions.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Up to €60,000 lump sum.
  • Eligibility: RTOs, academia, SMEs, startups, and researchers.
  • Deadline: Check website for updates.
  • Explore AI and EDGE Solutions Call

13. European AI Fund "Build Initiative"

Description: Funding initiative to support civil society organizations shaping policy around AI.
Funding: Just under €2 million renewed funding for 18 grantees.
Focus: AI Policy.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Under €2M total across 18 grantees.
  • Eligibility: Civil society organizations working on AI policy.
  • Deadline: 2025.
  • Learn about the European AI Fund
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14. The Europe’s Digital Decade Program

Description: A program to deliver EU’s digital transformation by providing funding to various digital initiatives, including AI.
Funding: Specific amounts vary by initiative.
Focus: Digital transformation, including AI.
Data Points:

15. Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Description: A funding program to promote research and innovation in different sectors, including AI.
Funding: Varies significantly based on the project.
Focus: All research areas related to AI.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies by project.
  • Eligibility: Researchers and organizations in various sectors.
  • Deadline: Check MSCA for specific deadlines.
  • Learn more about MSCA

16. Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH)

Description: A network to help businesses access technology and expertise in areas like AI.
Funding: Varies, generally focused on support rather than direct funding.
Focus: AI technology access and innovation.
Data Points:

17. AI for Europe Program

Description: Initiative focused on funding AI projects that boost European competitiveness.
Funding: Specific amounts depend on project requirements.
Focus: Developing AI applications across various sectors.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies per project.
  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs.
  • Deadline: Continuous applications.
  • Learn about AI for Europe

18. Research and Innovation Program (Horizon Europe)

Description: Comprehensive program to foster excellence in science, support breakthrough innovations, and tackle key societal challenges.
Funding: Varies, large amounts available for successful projects.
Focus: Across scientific and technological fields, including AI.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies by project.
  • Eligibility: Research institutions, startups, and SMEs.
  • Deadline: Check the official page for specific calls.
  • Discover Horizon Europe

19. Smart Cities Solutions Program

Description: Program to finance projects aimed at developing smart city applications including AI-driven solutions.
Funding: Up to €5 million per project.
Focus: Urban innovation and smart technologies.
Data Points:

20. Green Deal Innovation Fund

Description: A program to finance innovations that contribute to environmental sustainability in various sectors, including AI applications.
Funding: Specific amounts vary based on project applications.
Focus: Environmental sustainability.
Data Points:
  • Type: Grant Funding
  • Amount: Varies by project.
  • Eligibility: Startups and SMEs focused on sustainability solutions.
  • Deadline: Check website for updates.
  • Explore Green Deal Innovation Fund
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FAQ

Q: What funding opportunities does the EIC Accelerator provide for AI startups?
A: The EIC Accelerator supports startups and SMEs with up to €2.5 million in grants and equity investments ranging from €0.5 million to €10 million, particularly in disruptive markets. Learn more about the EIC Accelerator.
Q: Which program supports research projects towards breakthrough technologies?
A: The EIC Pathfinder offers up to €4 million in grants for visionary multidisciplinary research projects that show potential for breakthrough technologies. Discover EIC Pathfinder.
Q: What is the Horizon Europe – Digital Europe Programme aimed at?
A: The Horizon Europe – Digital Europe Programme supports SMEs and startups that focus on AI, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills, with funding that varies by project. Learn more about Horizon Europe.
Q: How much funding can startups receive through the EIT Urban Mobility program?
A: Startups working on innovative urban mobility solutions can receive up to €2 million through the EIT Urban Mobility financial support program. Explore EIT Urban Mobility.
Q: What is the aim of the AI Factories Initiative?
A: The AI Factories Initiative aims to set up AI Factories that provide computing power, data, and talent to aid European AI developers in training generative AI models, backed by €1 billion from the Digital Europe Programme. Discover AI Factories Initiative.
Q: What opportunities are available through the EU Startup Summit Pitch Competition?
A: The EU Startup Summit Pitch Competition offers over €750,000 in prizes for seed and pre-seed startups, including various funding opportunities. Check the EU Startup Summit.
Q: Who can apply for the call supporting innovative AI and EDGE solutions?
A: Research and technology organizations, academia, SMEs, startups, and researchers can apply for up to €60,000 in funding for innovative AI and EDGE solutions. Learn more about the call.
Q: What funding does the EIC Transition support?
A: The EIC Transition assists projects transforming research results into market opportunities with grants up to €2.5 million. Find out more about EIC Transition.
Q: What does the European AI Fund "Build Initiative" focus on?
A: The European AI Fund "Build Initiative" provides just under €2 million to support civil society organizations shaping policy around AI. Discover the Build Initiative.
Q: What is the EU's approach towards funding climate-neutral solutions?
A: The Horizon Europe – Innovation Fund provides funding to startups and SMEs working on innovative climate-neutral solutions, with amounts varying by project. Explore the Innovation Fund.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
2025-05-24 08:52 Top 20