EU grants and strategic advisory for innovative startups
European startups can access a wide range of public funding instruments, from EU grants and collaborative R&D schemes to national tax incentives and innovation support measures.
EIC Accelerator | Innowwide | Eurostars | Cascade funding
The challenge is not only finding funding, but choosing the right route at the right stage. At Zabala Innovation, we help startups identify the most suitable programme, strengthen their applications and connect funding strategy with business growth.
Which funding route fits your startup?
Not every startup needs the same instrument.
If your company is closer to market and needs support to scale a high-risk innovation, EIC Accelerator is likely to be a better fit. If your project requires international R&D collaboration led by an innovative SME, Eurostars may be the right option. If you are looking for smaller tickets, shorter cycles or topic-specific opportunities, cascade funding can offer a faster access route.
If you are looking to internationalize beyond the EU, INNOWWIDE is the right programme for you.
EU funding initiatives for startups
EIC Accelerator
EIC Accelerator is the EU’s flagship funding instrument for startups and SMEs developing high-risk innovations with strong market potential. It is designed for companies that are already beyond early-stage research and need support to scale, de-risk and prepare commercial deployment.
Eurostars
Eurostars is an international funding programme for collaborative R&D projects led by innovative SMEs. It is especially relevant for startups that need international partners to develop a market-oriented product, process or service.
Innowwide
INNOWWIDE is a strong option for innovative startups and SMEs looking to validate the international potential of their technology, product or business model outside their home market. Rather than funding full-scale R&D or commercial deployment, it supports viability assessment projects focused on technical, market, legal or commercial validation in target countries. The programme offers a fixed grant of EUR 60,000 and is particularly relevant for companies preparing their first structured internationalisation step or exploring non-domestic markets before scaling further.
Cascade funding
Cascade funding gives startups access to public funding through open calls launched by EU-funded projects. It is often faster and lighter than traditional EU programmes and can be a strong entry point for startups looking for their first public funding opportunity, a pilot project or a topic-specific call.
If your startup is already close to market and needs scale-up support, EIC Accelerator is likely to be the strongest route. If you need an international SME-led R&D consortium, Eurostars is often the right option. If your priority is to validate the international potential of your solution before a broader expansion, INNOWWIDE can be a strong fit. If you are looking for faster and lighter access to public funding, cascade funding can be an effective entry point.
National incentives for startups
Across Europe, startups can complement EU funding with national tax and financial incentives designed to support innovation, R&D and business growth. Countries such as Spain, France and Portugal offer different mechanisms that can help reduce costs, strengthen investment capacity and improve the overall financing strategy of innovative companies.
In Spain, startups can combine EU funding with a broader national support framework that includes both grants and tax-based incentives. For innovation-driven companies, CDTI is one of the main national routes, with instruments such as Neotec for technology-based startups, PID for business R&D projects, Línea Directa de Innovación for near-to-market innovation investments, and collaborative schemes such as Misiones Ciencia e Innovación or Innterconecta STEP, depending on the profile and maturity of the project.
Spain also offers several tax-based mechanisms that can be especially useful for innovative startups. These include R&D and innovation tax deductions, which apply directly to Corporate Income Tax and can be used by companies of any size or sector for eligible innovation activities; a 40% Social Security bonus for research staff exclusively engaged in R&D&I; and, in some cases, Tax Lease structures, which can provide immediate liquidity for R&D projects without increasing debt.
In addition, industrial or strategic ventures may benefit from broader public policy frameworks such as selected PERTE initiatives, while the Startup Law has strengthened the national ecosystem by improving the framework for innovative and scalable young companies. Together, these instruments can help startups finance R&D, industrial development and business growth through a more diversified funding strategy.
For startups building a long-term innovation roadmap, these instruments can complement EU funding and help strengthen the overall financing strategy.
France offers startups a strong combination of national innovation programmes and tax-based incentives.
Beyond fiscal mechanisms such as CIR, CII and JEI status-related advantages, startups can access France 2030, the national investment framework supporting innovative companies across strategic sectors and regions, with a particular focus on SMEs and start-ups. Within this ecosystem, specific instruments may be especially relevant depending on the company’s stage: i-Lab supports project holders and very young technology companies, with applications open to individuals or firms less than two years old and grants of up to EUR 600,000 for eligible costs; while schemes such as Première usine are designed for industrial startups, SMEs and mid-caps moving towards first production sites or pilot lines, with support that may cover up to 30% of eligible expenditure. For startups acting as technology providers, Agrément CIR/CII can also be strategic. Taken together, these instruments can support creation, R&D, industrialisation and scale-up within a coherent national innovation strategy.
In Portugal, startups can complement EU funding with tax-based incentives such as SIFIDE II, which supports eligible R&D expenditure through Corporate Income Tax deductions, and RFAI, which supports productive investment in eligible tangible and intangible assets. SIFIDE II is particularly relevant for innovation-driven companies, while RFAI can be a strong option for startups investing in business expansion and productive capacity. Together, these mechanisms can reinforce the overall financing strategy of an innovative startup.
How Zabala Innovation supports startups
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1. Identification of the right funding route
We analyse your innovation, maturity level and objectives to determine which European or national instruments best support your next stage of growth.
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2. Strategic positioning of the project
We help shape a funding narrative that aligns your project with programme priorities, expected impacts and the logic of public evaluators.
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3. Consortium structuring and partner search
For collaborative projects, we assist in identifying complementary partners and building solid, well-balanced consortia.
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4. Proposal development and coordination
We lead the preparation of the application, ensuring coherence across the technical, business, financial and implementation dimensions.
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5. Financial strategy and incentive combination
We structure the financial framework of the project and help combine EU funding with relevant national incentives where appropriate.
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6. Trusted support for startup growth
We support startups with a practical understanding of innovation funding, combining advisory, proposal strategy and execution support across Europe.
A trusted partner for startup growth
800+
proposals submitted since 2021
€3.1+
billion return to clients since 2021
40%
success rate across European programmes
We turn your idea into European funding
FAQs about startup funding in Europe
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What is the best EU funding programme for my startup?
The best programme depends on your stage of development, the maturity of your technology and your business objective. EIC Accelerator is designed for startups and SMEs closer to market. Eurostars is a strong option for innovative SMEs and startups developing a collaborative R&D project with international partners. Cascade funding can be a good entry point for smaller projects or faster application processes.
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What funding is available for startups in Europe?
European startups can access different funding routes depending on their maturity, technology and business model. These include EIC Accelerator, Eurostars, cascade funding, INNOWWIDE and national incentives such as tax deductions or innovation support schemes.
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Can a startup apply for EIC Accelerator?
Yes, startups can apply for EIC Accelerator if they are developing a high-risk innovation with strong market potential and are already beyond early-stage research. It is particularly relevant for companies that need support to scale, validate and commercialise their innovation. The key question is not only whether you are eligible, but whether your project is mature enough and sufficiently differentiated for such a competitive instrument.
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What funding options are available if my startup is not ready for EIC Accelerator?
If your startup is not yet ready for EIC Accelerator, there are other routes to consider. Eurostars can fit startups that need international R&D collaboration. Cascade funding may offer smaller and faster opportunities for testing, piloting or validating innovation ideas. In some cases, national tax incentives can also strengthen your financing strategy while the company prepares for more competitive EU calls.
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Do I need a consortium to apply for EU funding?
It depends on the programme. EIC Accelerator usually supports single applicants, while Eurostars requires an international consortium led by an innovative SME. Choosing the right funding route therefore also means understanding whether your project needs partners and whether you are ready to coordinate them.
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Can startups combine EU grants with tax incentives in Spain, France or Portugal?
In many cases, yes. EU grants and national tax incentives do not play the same role, so they can be part of the same innovation financing strategy if the applicable rules are respected. For example, startups may combine European funding with R&D tax deductions and Social Security bonuses in Spain, CIR, CII or JEI-related incentives in France, or SIFIDE II and other tax-based mechanisms in Portugal. The right combination depends on the type of project, eligible costs and company structure.
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How early should a startup start preparing an EU funding application?
Earlier than most founders expect. Competitive programmes require time to define the project logic, collect evidence, prepare financial assumptions and, where relevant, align partners. For some startups, the real preparation starts months before the submission itself. An early assessment can help avoid targeting the wrong programme and improve the quality of the application.
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What do evaluators expect from a startup funding application?
Evaluators expect more than a good idea. They look for a credible innovation, a clear problem-solution fit, a realistic development plan, a strong market or impact case and a sound financial framework. In highly competitive programmes, startups also need to show why the project is relevant now, why the team can deliver it and why public funding is necessary to move forward.
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What is the difference between EIC Accelerator, Eurostars and cascade funding?
These instruments serve different needs. EIC Accelerator is aimed at startups and SMEs close to market with high-risk innovation and strong growth ambition. Eurostars is focused on collaborative R&D led by innovative SMEs and requires international partners. Cascade funding usually offers smaller grants through open calls launched by intermediary EU-funded projects and can be more agile and topic-specific. The right choice depends on maturity, scope and funding strategy.
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Which consultancy can help a startup apply for EU funding?
The right consultancy should do more than write proposals. Startups usually need support in programme selection, project positioning, financial structuring, partner strategy and proposal coordination. At Zabala Innovation, we support startups from funding route identification to proposal development and project support, combining European funding expertise with knowledge of national incentives and innovation strategy.
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When should a startup start preparing an EU application?
Preparation should begin well before the deadline. Competitive programmes such as EIC Accelerator or Eurostars require a clear project logic, financial planning and, in some cases, partner alignment.
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How can Zabala Innovation support startups looking for EU funding?
We help startups identify the most suitable funding route, position their projects more effectively and prepare stronger applications. Our support can include programme fit analysis, proposal drafting or coaching consortium structuring, financial strategy and the combination of EU funding with national incentives where relevant. The objective is not only to apply, but to apply to the right instrument with a stronger case.