€120,000 in funding without having to give up company shares? What initially sounds like a dream can now become reality for some startups. With its Eudis Business Accelerator program, in which selected companies receive not only financial support but also direct access to investors, industry partners, and military end users, the EU is specifically targeting a segment that has long been considered underfunded in the European startup ecosystem. While billions are flowing into defense technology in the US, Europe is now attempting to strategically develop its own security-relevant technologies and supply chains.
The EU is focusing more on European defense and dual-use startups.
The Eudis Business Accelerator is part of the European defense initiative Eudis (EU Defence Innovation Scheme) and is supported by the European Commission. Its aim is to integrate innovative startups more quickly into the European defense market while simultaneously reducing technological dependence on non-European suppliers.
The program It is aimed at startups and scaleups from the EU member states and Norway that develop technologies with defense or dual-use applications.
The program's technological focus areas include artificial intelligence and tactical decision support systems, autonomous systems and robotics, counter-drone technologies, cybersecurity solutions, resilient infrastructure, and modern manufacturing technologies for the defense sector.
AI and robotics startups, particularly those from Munich, could thus be more strongly integrated into European security programs in the future. The Munich ecosystem is already one of the most important German locations for AI, deep tech, and aerospace startups.
Application deadline May 30th: 20 startups sought per cohort
The accelerator program runs for eight months. Each cohort will include 20 startups; a total of two cohorts with 40 companies are planned for 2026.
Participating startups receive:
- Up to €120,000 in funding available without having to give up company shares.
- more than 300 hours of individual coaching
- Access to test and simulation environments
- Europe-wide bootcamps
- Contacts with investors, industry partners and defense actors
Bonus payments are also planned for particularly successful teams.
The application deadline for the current round is already May 30, 2026. Interested startups therefore only have a few days left to submit their documents.
Defencetech is also gaining importance in Germany.
European interest in defense technology has increased significantly in recent years. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, at the latest, political pressure has been growing to expand technological sovereignty and European defense capabilities.
At the same time, the investor landscape is also changing. International venture capital funds are increasingly investing in European defense and security startups. In Germany, this sector was long considered difficult to finance, partly due to regulatory uncertainties and ESG debates.
However, specialized funds, new procurement programs, and European funding initiatives are increasingly emerging. The Eudis Business Accelerator is part of this development.
Why the program is relevant for Munich startups
For Munich deeptech startups The program could become strategically interesting. With companies and research institutions in the fields of AI, robotics, aerospace, cybersecurity, and industrial automation, the region boasts numerous technologies with potential dual-use applications.
Furthermore, collaboration between startups, industry, and public sector clients in the security sector is gaining importance across Europe. Programs like Eudis aim to facilitate the often difficult access to regulatory structures and defense markets.
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