{"id":9105,"date":"2025-05-09T11:48:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T11:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pulse-z.eu\/step-forward-europes-big-bet-on-homegrown-tech-takes-off-2\/"},"modified":"2025-06-12T09:05:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T09:05:14","slug":"step-forward-europas-grote-gok-op-eigen-technologie-neemt-een-vlucht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pulse-z.eu\/nl\/step-forward-europas-grote-gok-op-eigen-technologie-neemt-een-vlucht\/","title":{"rendered":"STEP Forward: Europa's grote gok op eigen technologie neemt een vlucht"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Platform for Strategic Technologies for Europe<\/a> (STEP) is celebrating its first year of operation, where it has mobilised over \u20ac15 billion to support key sectors of the economy. By integrating resources from 11 EU funding programmes, it has been able to support the development of digital technologies, environmental programmes and biotechnology, strengthening the competitiveness of the European market.<\/span><\/p>\n

STEP’s Funding: Where’s the money coming from? <\/p>\n

Over the past year, STEP has gathered investments from various EU sources, getting \u20ac9.1 billion from programs directly managed by the European Commission, including Digital Europe<\/a>, Horizon Europe<\/a>, European Defence Fund<\/a> and Innovation Fund<\/a> programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On top of that, \u20ac6.1 billion was shifted to STEP by 11 Member States who reprogrammed their cohesion policy funds.<\/span><\/p>\n

These investments are all about speeding up the rollout of game-changing technologies, making Europe less reliant on importing key tech, and ensuring long-term economic growth in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Easier Access for Innovators <\/p>\n

The STEP Task Force collaborates with all 27 EU countries to conduct extensive outreach and consultations with project promoters. A survey of approximately 500 research and industry organizations found that the application process for funding was too complicated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To address this, STEP simplified the process by creating a single platform where entrepreneurs and researchers can easily find all available funding opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, there are around 60 funding programs under STEP, and 40 of them are still accepting new applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

How the STEP Seal Unlocks Potential<\/b><\/h3>\n

To spot projects with high potential, the European Commission created the STEP seal. This special recognition has been given to 142 initiatives in 23 EU countries, boosting their chances of getting extra investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the most intriguing projects:<\/span><\/p>\n