120,000 euros in funding without giving up company shares? What initially sounds like a dream can now become reality for some startups. The EU is targeting a segment with its Eudis Business Accelerator programme that has long been underfunded in the European startup ecosystem. Selected companies not only receive financial support but also gain direct access to investors, industry partners, and military end-users. While billions flow into defence tech in the US, Europe is now strategically building its own security-relevant technologies and supply chains.
EU focuses more on European defence and dual-use startups
The Eudis Business Accelerator is part of the European defence initiative Eudis (EU Defence Innovation Scheme) and is supported by the European Commission. The goal is to integrate innovative startups faster into the European defence market while reducing technological dependencies on non-European providers.
The programme is aimed at startups and scaleups from EU member states and Norway that develop technologies with defence or dual-use applications.
The programme’s technological focus areas include artificial intelligence and tactical decision support systems, autonomous systems and robotics, counter-drone technologies, cybersecurity solutions, and resilient infrastructure and modern manufacturing technologies for the defence sector.
AI and robotics startups from Munich in particular could increasingly be integrated into European security programmes in the future. The Munich ecosystem is already among Germany’s most important locations for AI, deeptech, and aerospace startups.
Application deadline on May 30: 20 startups per cohort sought
The accelerator programme runs for eight months. Twenty startups are accepted per cohort, with a total of two cohorts planned for 2026, comprising 40 companies in total.
Participating startups receive:
- up to 120,000 euros in funding without giving up company shares
- more than 300 hours of individual coaching
- access to testing and simulation environments
- Europe-wide bootcamps
- contacts with investors, industry partners, and defence actors
Additionally, bonus payments are planned for particularly successful teams.
The application deadline for the current round ends on May 30, 2026. Interested startups therefore have only a few days left to submit their documents.
Defence tech is gaining importance in Germany too
European interest in defence tech has increased significantly in recent years. Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine at the latest, political pressure has grown to expand technological sovereignty and European defence capabilities.
In parallel, the investor landscape is also changing. International venture capital funds are increasingly investing in European defence and security startups. In Germany, the sector has long been considered difficult to finance, partly due to regulatory uncertainty and ESG debates.
Meanwhile, specialised funds, new procurement programmes, and European funding initiatives are increasingly emerging. The Eudis Business Accelerator is part of this development.
Why the programme is relevant for Munich startups
For Munich deeptech startups, the programme could be strategically interesting. The region has numerous technologies with possible dual-use potential, with companies and research institutions in the areas of AI, robotics, aerospace, cybersecurity, and industrial automation.
Furthermore, collaboration between startups, industry, and public clients in the security sector is gaining importance across Europe. Programmes like Eudis are designed to help ease often difficult access to regulatory structures and defence markets.
