Scaling defence tech in Europe: What the new EIC STEP Scale Up Defence Call means for SMEs

This webinar will introduce DIGITAL SME’s Defence, Security & Resilience (DSR) community to the newly opened EIC STEP Scale Up Defence call and explain, in practical terms, what it could mean for European defence‑tech SMEs. The session will provide an overview of the instrument, focusing on why it matters, who it is for, and how companies should prepare their application.

Participants will receive an explanation of the call’s objectives and the types of companies and technologies it is intended to support. The presentation will outline the general logic of the instrument, the growth stages it targets, and how it fits into the wider landscape of EU funding and investment options for defence and dual‑use technologies.

The session will be particularly valuable for founders, senior managers, and business development leads in SMEs and scale‑ups that are already active, or are considering moving, into defence‑relevant markets. By joining, you will gain a clearer picture of an important new funding avenue and be better positioned to decide if and how to engage with it.