Polish defence‑tech startup PERUN has secured fourteen new grants from the National Centre for Research and Development as part of the state’s New Technologies programme, aimed at advancing security and defence solutions.
CleanOs, Fraido and Prometheus Plasma Systems were chosen as the three finalists of the Lake Como Venture Lab, an Italian deep‑tech incubator. Each startup will receive a €150,000 grant and a year of support at the Politecnico di Milano’s Lecco campus, aiming to accelerate their mechatronics and medtech innovations.
TechAngels Romania is spearheading a EU‑funded initiative, ESIL Moldova, to develop a local business‑angel community in Moldova, offering education, mentorship and cross‑border co‑investment opportunities, with the aim of strengthening early‑stage startup financing in the region.
German startup Voodin Blade Technology, together with Lithuanian partners VMG Wood Invest and VMG Technics and Anker‑Tec, received a €48.18 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund to create the first automated wooden blade factory in Spain, aiming to produce recyclable wind‑turbine blades and support a sustainable European supply chain.
TECNALIA has designed and validated an electric unmanned aerial vehicle with high capacity for wildfire intervention. The development is part of EXTINCIA, a project coordinated by CLUE Technologies and funded by CDTI, combining drones, artificial intelligence, and advanced air traffic management systems.
Catalyxx, a Spain-based developer of bio-based chemicals, has received a €20 million EU grant to build its first commercial plant in Europe. The funding supports the transition from technology demonstration to commercial-scale production of bio-based alcohols, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil-based feedstocks.
Natac Biotech, part of Natac Natural Ingredients, secured 1.4 million euros from Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism under the Industrial Value Chain Impulse Program to advance the FRACTAL project.
RAMIS STEEL COMPANY SRL finalized a digitalization project funded by the EU’s PNRR program, receiving 242,757.20 RON in non-repayable funding to modernize operations and adopt digital technologies.
RarEarth, an Italian startup specializing in recycling rare earths from electronic waste, secured a 2.5 million euro grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and potential equity investment of up to 6 million euros. The funding will support the construction of its first production facility and advance its patented technology for producing high-performance magnets in Europe. The company, founded in 2023, aims to reduce reliance on imported rare earths and promote sustainable manufacturing.
Romania launched the SME Eco-Tech platform on May 21, 2026, a Swiss-funded financing program with a budget of 288.8 million RON (54 million CHF) designed to support green and digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. The application period opens May 26, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis, with funding through five partner banks. Minimum project value is 668,100 RON, with at least 40% of eligible expenses dedicated to green or digital investments.