To strengthen the deep tech sector in the region, the European Union will invest €1.4 billion next year. This fund, managed by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the EU’s research and innovation program, aims to position Europe as a key competitor to tech giants like the U.S. and China. This new budget allocation represents a €200 million increase over last year.
European leaders increasingly emphasize the importance of focusing on technology and AI to stimulate the region’s stagnant economy. EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova stated, “The European Innovation Council has redefined the game in EU support for groundbreaking innovations. By 2025, we aim to strengthen Europe’s deep tech sector with €1.4 billion in funding through our Horizon Europe program.”
The deep tech category includes critical fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, quantum computing, clean energy, environmental technologies, and biotechnology. The EIC plans to use this investment to advance technology solutions across sectors like clean energy, agriculture, and mobility while also allocating a portion to R&D.
The EIC Work Program for 2025 is divided into three main investment streams:
EIC Pathfinder: With a €262 million budget, this stream supports visionary, interdisciplinary teams to pursue transformative technologies, providing grants up to €4 million.
EIC Transition: This commercialization-focused branch, with a budget of €98 million, funds projects that transform research outcomes into innovation opportunities, offering grants up to €2.5 million.
EIC Accelerator: With €634 million in funding, this program supports startups and SMEs in creating new markets, scaling innovations, and commercializing ventures, offering grants below €2.5 million and equity investments from €500,000 to €10 million.
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