European Sovereignty Monitor

Industry, investment and R&D

European Innovation Council opens EUR 100 million call to defence start-ups

The European Innovation Council opened its funding instruments to defence and dual-use technology for the first time, launching a EUR 100 million STEP Defence Scale Up call offering up to EUR 30 million in direct equity per project.

Verified European Innovation Council press release, 17 June 2026

What it does not test. Does not commit funding to any named company, since applications for the call only open on 30 June 2026.

How this item counts. No movement: no answer to who owns, who operates, whose law governs or who made the parts changes. Weight 0. EU launches EUR100M defence start-up call, EU-wide; no company funded yet, applications open 30 June.. European Sovereignty Index

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