Explore the top startup grants in the US and Europe for 2026, featuring equity free funding opportunities, government backed programs, and innovation grants designed to help high growth startups scale faster without giving up ownership.
If you are building a startup in 2026 and targeting customers in the United States or Europe, access to non dilutive funding can significantly accelerate your growth. Governments, innovation agencies, and global technology companies are investing billions of dollars into startups that drive innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness.
This guide highlights twenty of the most impactful startup grants available in February 2026, with direct application links and clear eligibility focus. These opportunities are designed for founders building scalable businesses across technology, sustainability, healthcare, and advanced research.
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While venture capital remains competitive, grants continue to play a critical role in early stage and growth stage funding. Startup grants offer founders the ability to build without sacrificing ownership while gaining credibility and access to international networks.
One of the largest innovation funding programs in Europe, supporting breakthrough technologies with global market potential.
Funding: Up to 2.5 million euros plus equity investment
Apply: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal
Supports early stage research and radical innovation projects with strong commercial promise.
Designed to help research driven startups turn validated technologies into market ready products.
Provides large scale investment support for fast growing European technology companies.
Funds projects in artificial intelligence, climate technology, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing.
Apply: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders
Supports startups building clean mobility, smart transportation, and urban innovation solutions.
Equity free funding and cloud support for high growth technology startups.
Apply: https://startup.google.com/programs/black-founders-fund/
The largest federal funding program for technology startups in the United States.
Apply: https://www.sbir.gov
Encourages collaboration between startups and research institutions.
Supports science and technology startups with strong research foundations.
One of the most competitive UK innovation grants for ambitious technology projects.
Apply: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/
Supports startups in engineering, digital technology, healthcare, and sustainability.
Supports startups that contribute to regional economic growth and job creation.
Funding for renewable energy, carbon reduction, and climate focused startups.
Provides funding and support for women led deep tech startups across Europe.
Supports startups working in advanced security, defense, and emerging technologies.
Funds artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure projects.
Many US states offer additional grants for startups and small businesses.
Major technology companies offer grant based innovation challenges with partnership opportunities.
Provides access to funding, partners, and market expansion support across Europe.
Successful grant applications focus on clarity, innovation, and measurable impact.
These grants are ideal for founders building technology driven startups in software, artificial intelligence, fintech, health technology, climate innovation, and research based industries.
The United States and Europe remain the strongest regions globally for startup grant funding. With the right preparation and positioning, one successful grant can unlock long term growth, credibility, and global market access.
Start early, apply strategically, and focus on funding programs that align with your startup stage and industry.
RedMimicry, a Berlin cybersecurity startup, has raised seed funding to scale its realistic cyberattack emulation platform, improving cyber threat testing and security preparedness for enterprises globally.
Twin Health, a leading metabolic health startup, raises $53M in Series E funding at a $950M valuation. The capital will expand its personalized metabolic care platform, bringing it closer to unicorn status.
FieldAI, a robotics pioneer, has raised $405M in funding, bringing its valuation to $2B. Backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Nvidia, FieldAI focuses on building AI-powered robots capable of operating in challenging real-world environments.
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