How we help
We guide you towards attractive subsidies and tax incentives, the best programs to level up your startup, insider tips for a strong EU funding business case … Whatever you're looking for, Startup.Flanders has your back.
Soft-landing program for startups
Startup grants and funding
Perfecting your services, developing innovative products or cutting-edge technology and expanding your business abroad – those are all costly endeavors. Luckily, there are multiple grants and funding opportunities available in Flanders to help you keep the financial picture in check.
Grants monitored by Flanders Investment & Trade
Driven by its mission to help Flanders-based businesses expand around the globe, government agency Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) — which also powers Startup.Flanders — can help you ease the financial burden. How? With a variety of grants and funding options to help your startup conquer international markets from Flanders:
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EUR 9,000 to set up your very first export activities through the internationalization starter pack (calls for proposals)
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up to EUR 50,000 in export support in response to Brexit (calls for proposals) depending on the number of people employed by your company
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up to 75% of travel and accommodation costs (based on flat-rate amounts) for a prospecting trip or participation in a foreign trade fair or niche outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
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up to EUR 7,500 for participation in a foreign trade fair
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up to EUR 3,500 for participation in a niche event
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up to EUR 4,500 for the development and translation of digital international commercial business communications
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up to EUR 75,000 to set up a prospecting office outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
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up to EUR 18,750 for a custom international project
Want to know more about these funding options? Find in-depth information in Dutch here or contact us for more details
Grants monitored by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship
As the government in Flanders' main point of contact for all entrepreneurs, Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) stimulates startups with subsidies that enable growth, development and innovation.
SME e-wallet
Financial aid to invest in external training and advisory services that improve the quality of your startup.
Up to EUR 7,500
SME growth subsidy
For innovation, digitalization, internationalization or sustainable & circular entrepreneurship.
Up to EUR 50,000 per track
Support for innovative starters
Financial support and guidance for pioneering SMEs in Flanders that are less than 2 years old.
Up to EUR 50,000
R&D feasibility study
Support for a feasibility study in preparation for an innovative project.
40 to 50% of the project budget, up to EUR 50,000 per partner
Research project
A grant to expand or enhance your R&D capacities in order to carry out a high-risk innovation project.
25 to 60% of the project budget, min. EUR 100,000
Development project
A grant to develop new or enhanced products, processes and services that can strengthen your business.
20 to 50% of the project budget, min. EUR 25,000
Baekeland mandate
Support for a PhD project conducted by a PhD student, and a university and company from Flanders.
50 to 80% of the staff and operating costs of the PhD student
Innovation mandate
Subsidizes strategic basic research by a postgraduate in close collaboration with the industry.
50 to 100% of the staff and operating costs of the researcher
European funding for startups
In addition to the region’s funding opportunities, Flanders is also your access point to various European grants. These can add up to several millions of euros in support of your innovative startup’s ambitions.
Some examples:
Horizon Europe
The EU’s key funding program for research and innovation to support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU's competitiveness and growth.
Total budget: EUR 95.5 billion (2021-2027)
InvestEU Program
The EU's support program that provides long-term funding to boost sustainable investment, innovation and job creation across the EU over the period 2021-2027.
Total budget: > EUR 372 billion (2021-2027)
Europe Innovation Council (EIC)
The flagship innovation program within Horizon Europe to fund startups' scaling processes, breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations.
EUREKA
An intergovernmental network that gives access to public funding for market-oriented activities in the fields of research, development and innovation.
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