GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS TECHNOLOGY-BASED INNOVATIVE COMPANIES WITH 25 MILLION EUROS (NEOTEC 2020)

At IMPULSO, we are pleased to inform you that the 2020 call for applications for the “NEOTEC” Program (NEW BUSINESS PROJECTS FOR INNOVATIVE COMPANIES), managed by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), will be open from April 15th. Its purpose is to finance the launch of new business projects by innovative companies that require the use of technologies or knowledge developed from research activity, and whose business strategy is based on technology development. These grants have a total budget allocation of 25 Million Euros.

Below, we summarize the main characteristics of these grants:

BENEFICIARIES

Small innovative companies that meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Demonstrate that they will develop new/improved products, services, or processes compared to the state of the art, which involve a risk of technological/industrial failure (external evaluation by an expert from a public research organization, a public or private university or its university institutes; or a technology center or a state-level technology innovation support center).
• Minimum R&D costs of 10% of their total operating costs for at least 1 of the 3 years prior to the grant award and, for new companies, in the current fiscal year (external auditor certification).

Companies that have previously benefited from earlier NEOTEC Program grants prior to this call will not be eligible.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Business projects (business plan) where technology and innovation contribute to the company’s differentiation and serve as the basis for its long-term strategy and business plan, maintaining its own R&D lines.

Projects may be from any technological and/or sectoral field. However, business projects whose business model is primarily based on third-party services, without developing their own technology, are not suitable for this call.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum eligible budget for the action: €175,000.
• Small company: <50 employees and annual turnover <€10 million.
• Companies not listed on a stock exchange and that must not have distributed profits.
• Companies incorporated within the 3 years prior to the application deadline and with the date of execution of the company’s incorporation deed at least 6 months prior to the application deadline.
• Minimum share capital, or share capital plus share premium, of €20,000.
• Annual accounts for the last 2 fiscal years filed with the Commercial Registry.
• Annual or multi-annual actions. From 01/01/2020 to 31/12/2020 or 31/12/2021.
• Maximum of 50% of the total subsidized cost for subcontracting activities. When the subcontracted activity exceeds 20% of the granted aid amount and this amount is greater than €60,000, a contract between the parties must be submitted. If subcontracting is carried out with related entities, prior authorization must be requested from CDTI. And, if the entity to be subcontracted is identified and the contract amount with said entity is greater than €15,000, at least 3 offers from different providers must be submitted at the time of application.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Investments in equipment.
• Personnel expenses.
• Materials.
• External collaborations / consultancy (including expert report or external auditor’s certification, attesting to the innovative nature of the company).
• Other costs: rents, supplies, fees and licenses, patent application and maintenance expenses and other industrial property rights, insurance, and expenses derived from the audit report (maximum €2,000).

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF SUPPORT

Non-repayable grant. Maximum intensity: 70% of the action’s budget. Maximum aid: €250,000/beneficiary.

Aid compatible with other aid from any public or private, national, international, or EU administrations or entities.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Open from 04/15/2020 to 06/30/2020.

25/03/2020