Exclusive: Top 10 largest investments by EIC in 2026 – so far

In the first three quarters of 2026, the European Innovation Council (EIC) has committed a total of €85 million to ten European startups, according to exclusive data provided by EU-Startups. These investments span various sectors, including space technology, biotechnology, quantum computing, and nuclear fusion, highlighting the European commitment to cutting-edge innovation.

1. EnduroSat, a Bulgarian SpaceTech company founded in 2015 by Raycho Raychev, secured the largest EIC commitment at €34.5 million. The company designs, manufactures, and operates satellites through a satellite-as-a-service model, making space missions accessible and affordable. EnduroSat recently announced a €182 million funding round, with the EIC among its backers.

2. Reverion, a German biotechnology startup founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich, received €33.3 million in EIC funding. The company is developing reversible power plants capable of generating electricity from gases like biogas and hydrogen, while also converting surplus electricity into storable fuels.

3. Pasqal, a French quantum computing company co-founded by Nobel Prize winner Alain Aspect in 2019, secured €30 million in EIC funding. Pasqal develops quantum computers powered by neutral atoms manipulated using lasers, aiming to tackle complex calculations in various fields such as materials science and pharmaceutical research.

4. Focused Energy, a German company founded in 2021, is working to make nuclear fusion a commercially viable electricity source. The startup uses powerful lasers to compress and heat fuel, with the goal of eventually generating electricity without the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuels. Focused Energy received an EIC commitment of €30 million in May 2026.

5. SMART Photonics, a Dutch company based in Eindhoven, has developed photonic integrated circuits that use light to transmit and process information. The company secured €25 million from the EIC Fund in May 2026, aligning with its efforts to expand European photonic chip manufacturing, including a new six-inch wafer pilot line.

6. Leyden Labs, a Dutch startup founded in Amsterdam in 2020, is developing nasal sprays designed to protect against respiratory viruses like influenza and coronaviruses. The company's technology delivers broadly protective antibodies directly to the respiratory tract, where many airborne infections begin. Leyden Labs received an EIC commitment of €20 million in April 2026, alongside a €40 million funding round in June, which included participation from the EIC Fund, Invest-NL, and the Gates Foundation.