Evolution Europe has helped European deeptech startups secure over €220 million in critical R&D funding, closing the funding gap between innovation and full commercialisation.
The concept of deep tech refers to technologies rooted in groundbreaking scientific or engineering advancements that go beyond incremental improvements. These innovations have the potential to create entirely new markets or profoundly disrupt existing ones. Deeptech innovations hold the key to solving some of the EU’s and the world’s biggest challenges, while driving economic growth and prosperity. While securing funding for these startups is often very difficult, Evolution Europe, a consultancy company based in Madrid, has helped startups raise European and Spanish national grant funding of more than €220 million over the past 20 years.
The European Innovation Council (EIC), Europe’s largest venture capital investor by amount invested, plans to invest €1.4 billion in deep-tech and strategic technologies in 2025 through programmes, such as Pathfinder, Transition, Accelerator, and the new STEP scale-up call. The EIC Accelerator, one of its flagship programmes, had a low average global success rate of 5.5% from full applications to awarded grants. Specifically, the success rate was 3.9% for the November 8, 2023, deadline and 7% for the March 13, 2024. Despite these tough odds, Evolution Europe, a Spanish specialist consultancy, achieved an impressive 33% success rate during the same period, helping the companies it supports secure funding.
“A typical mistake when applying for the EIC Accelerator is relying solely on a scientific mindset, assuming the disruptive technology speaks for itself. You need to understand your market, know your competitors, and present a credible, ambitious plan to scale your innovation” says Antonio Marco Pantaleo, former EIC Programme Manager (October 2020–September 2024).
Companies Evolution Europe has helped win EIC funding include:
Delox (Portugal) developed advanced bio-decontamination technology for hospitals and healthcare facilities, securing €4.6 million in 2024.
Solar Materials (Germany) raised €6.5 million in 2023 to enhance solar panel recycling, addressing waste challenges and supporting Europe’s clean energy transition in 2023.
Qlibri (Germany) developed QlibriNANO, the world's most sensitive absorption microscope—1,000x more sensitive than current solutions, offering real-time spectral characterisation and imaging, receiving EIC Transition funding in 2024.
Carinsa & partners (Spain & Korea) Through its EMBOLDEN project, it received Eurostars funding in 2023 to improve the effectiveness of moisturising, UV protection and anti-wrinkle ingredients in cosmetics using innovative microencapsulation technology.
Water Challenge (Spain) obtained €2.4 million in 2022 for its Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD+) technology, transforming contaminated dredged sediments into freshwater through a cost-effective process.
Biome Makers (Spain) received over €1.7 million in EIC funding (2019 and 2021) for its BeCrop® Technology, a platform that uses microbiome DNA and machine learning to improve soil health and agricultural yields.
Founded in 2004 by brothers José and Pedro Romero, Evolution Europe started as a small company of two employees, initially focusing on securing tax credits and grants for Spanish R&D projects. In 2014, it expanded its focus to seek European funding for deeptech startups. In addition to EIC calls, Evolution Europe also offers grant writing services for other European programmes, such as Eurostars, Life+ and the Innovation Fund. Evolution Europe also offers private fundraising services to deeptech startups. While many R&D consultancies exist in Spain, few have gained significant recognition in the broader European market—Evolution Europe stands out as a notable exception.
"Working with a consultancy such as Evolution is not just about the application and documentation; you collaborate across multiple areas—finance, pitching, strategy, and clearly communicating your technology. This is something every startup can benefit from" says Fridolin Franke, CEO and co-founder of Solar Materials, EIC Accelerator winner.
At the heart of Evolution Europe's success is its diverse and experienced writing team, which consists of experts with science and engineering degrees, Ph.D.s, and business and financial backgrounds. The team follows a stringent assessment process to evaluate the potential for a successful application for each potential client. This process takes into account factors, such as innovativeness, technological readiness, commercial potential, team capabilities, and environmental, health, or social impact of the technology. “We don’t take on a client unless we think we, Evolution, and the client, can win—and if we take on a client, we are committed to helping them win”, says Victor Rodriguez, Evolution’s CEO.
Evolution Europe celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of supporting deeptech startups through the funding process. Over the years, it has helped ensure that these companies can focus on their core mission—advancing research and development of their technologies—while Evolution Europe handles the complexities of securing essential funding.
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