EIC launches €20 million package to support Ukrainian deep tech start-ups
- ›The European Innovation Council amended its 2022 work programme to create a €20 million package for Ukrainian start-ups.
- ›The funding aims to reach at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech ventures with up to €60,000 each plus business advisory and matchmaking.
- ›Support will be channelled through a competitive call for a pan-European network of start-up associations collaborating with Ukrainian stakeholders.
- ›The measure is framed as short term business continuity support and as preparation for Ukrainian companies to compete for larger EIC funding opportunities.
EIC launches €20 million package to support Ukrainian deep tech start-ups
On 9 June 2022 the European Innovation Council announced a targeted amendment to its 2022 work programme to provide up to €20 million in support for the Ukrainian innovation community. The action aims to help preserve the momentum of Ukraine’s deep tech ecosystem during wartime disruption, by offering modest direct funding to start-ups together with non-financial services and connection to European innovation networks.
What has been announced
The package is intended to support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups. Each selected company can receive up to €60,000 in financial support. In addition to cash, the initiative will provide business advisory services, coaching and matchmaking to connect Ukrainian teams with European partners, markets and financing instruments. The Commission says the aim is to preserve business continuity, foster growth and prepare Ukrainian start-ups to compete for larger EIC funding opportunities.
| Item | Amount or target | Notes |
| Total envelope | €20 million | Allocated by amendment to the 2022 EIC work programme |
| Per start-up support | Up to €60,000 | Financial support plus access to non-financial services |
| Number of start-ups targeted | At least 200 | Indicative target stated by the Commission |
| Call opening | 23 June 2022 | Competitive call for a pan-European network of start-up associations |
| EIC Accelerator maximum support | Up to €17.5 million | EIC statement on potential later-stage funding combining grants and equity |
| Private investment leverage | Up to 3x | EIC estimate of crowding-in potential for subsequent rounds |
Delivery mechanism
Rather than distributing cash directly to individual Ukrainian companies through a simple voucher scheme the EIC chose a network route. The €20 million will be disbursed through a competitive call for proposals to establish a pan-European network of start-up associations. The successful applicant network must collaborate with at least one Ukrainian innovation stakeholder and seek synergies with existing EU programmes and intermediaries, for example the Enterprise Europe Network. The call opened on 23 June 2022.
Definitions and context
Why the Commission framed this support
EU officials presented the action as a way to preserve Ukraine’s innovation capacity. Before the Russian invasion Ukraine’s start-up ecosystem had been growing and the Commission cited a figure of more than 1,600 start-ups. The aim stated by officials is twofold. In the short term the measures are intended to maintain business continuity for Ukrainian tech companies facing disruption and displacement. In the medium term the action is meant to integrate Ukrainian innovators into European markets and funding structures so they can contribute to rebuilding and economic recovery after the war.
How this fits into wider EU support for Ukraine and research
The EIC action sits alongside a range of other EU measures for Ukrainian research and innovation. The Commission noted that, following Ukraine’s ratification, an agreement associating Ukraine to Horizon Europe and Euratom entered into force. The Commission also announced that Ukraine’s financial contribution for 2021 and 2022 would be waived and estimated the foregone contribution at around €20 million. Complementary initiatives include ERA4Ukraine, Horizon4Ukraine, targeted ERC measures for Ukraine and a €25 million MSCA fellowship scheme for displaced Ukrainian researchers.
Background on the EIC
The European Innovation Council was launched in March 2021 under Horizon Europe. The EIC had an overall headline budget of over €10 billion for 2021 to 2027 and its 2022 work programme opened funding opportunities worth over €1.7 billion. The EIC combines a grant instrument with the EIC Fund equity vehicle to back ambitious deep tech innovations across the EU and associated countries.
Caveats and implementation risks
The announced package is notable for acting quickly and for focusing on ecosystem linkages rather than only direct payouts. At the same time there are several practical and policy caveats to bear in mind.
| Risk or limitation | Explanation |
| Modest per-company amount | Up to €60,000 is a small sum for capital intensive deep tech ventures and will not substitute for larger seed or Series A rounds. |
| Intermediated delivery | Routing funds through a pan-European network of associations can increase coordination but also adds administrative layers and may slow or limit the reach to hardest hit founders. |
| Selection and eligibility | Outcomes will depend on how consortia prioritise recipients. There is a risk of uneven geographic or sectoral coverage unless the call specifies clear outreach and inclusion criteria. |
| Implementation complexity | Cross-border relief and collaboration in wartime settings is operationally difficult. Practical issues include legal compliance, fund transfers, verification and providing services to mobile or displaced teams. |
| Follow-on funding uncertainty | The measure is pitched as preparing firms for larger EIC instruments. Converting small advisory grants into later successful Accelerator or private fundraising outcomes is not guaranteed. |
What to watch next
Key near term milestones and indicators to follow if you are a stakeholder in this space.
| Milestone | Why it matters |
| Opening of the call (23 June 2022) | Which consortia apply will determine coverage, delivery model and how quickly money reaches companies. |
| Selection of the network operator | The chosen consortium will shape beneficiary selection criteria and non-financial services offered. |
| Speed of disbursement | How quickly and reliably grants and services are delivered will determine the action’s short term impact on business continuity. |
| Integration with EIC funding streams | Whether supported firms manage to access EIC Accelerator or EIC Fund facilities later will test the package’s stated objective of preparing startups for scale. |
| Monitoring and transparency on beneficiaries | Public information on who benefits and what services were provided will be important to evaluate effectiveness. |
A pragmatic but limited emergency measure
The Commission’s €20 million action is a pragmatic attempt to shore up parts of Ukraine’s deep tech sector during a period of severe disruption. It prioritises ecosystem linkages and advisory support alongside small grants. That design may help integrate Ukrainian innovators into EU networks, but the small per-company sums and intermediary delivery model mean this is a stabilisation measure rather than a transformative financing programme. Much will depend on execution, the willingness of European intermediaries to reach displaced and remote teams, and whether later-stage funding can be mobilised where there is market potential.
Where to find more information
The EIC published the announcement as part of its 2022 work programme materials and issued a press release summarising the action. The wider policy context includes the EIC work programme 2022, the Horizon Europe association arrangement with Ukraine, and EU research support initiatives such as MSCA and ERA4Ukraine.