Innovation Funding Incentives in Spain

Spain has actively cultivated a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, implementing a diverse array of funding incentives to stimulate research and development (R&D) and foster a dynamic startup ecosystem. These initiatives, driven by both national and regional governments, as well as public and private institutions, aim to enhance technological competitiveness, drive digital transformation, and promote sustainable growth. This report will detail the primary innovation funding mechanisms available in Spain and their collective impact on the nation’s vibrant innovation landscape.

Key Funding Incentives

1 | R&D&I Tax Credit

Spain offers a generous R&D&I (Research, Development, and Innovation) tax credit designed to encourage corporate investment in scientific research, technological development, and innovation activities.

Mechanism: Companies can claim a tax credit on eligible R&D expenses. The base rate for R&D activities is generally 25% of qualifying expenditures. An additional incremental tax credit of 42% can be applied to expenses exceeding the average R&D expenditure of the previous two years. For R&D staff, an additional 17% credit is available on wages paid to eligible full-time researchers. For technological innovation activities, a 12% tax credit applies.

Refundability: While primarily a tax credit, Spain offers a unique feature allowing companies that cannot fully utilise the credit against their tax liability to request a cash refund (with a 20% discount on the unutilised amount), subject to certain conditions and a maximum refund limit (e.g., €5 million for R&D expenditure exceeding 10% of turnover).

Eligibility: R&D activities must involve scientific investigation and research leading to new materials, products, or technological improvements. Eligible expenditures include R&D staff wages, acquisition of R&D equipment, materials, and subcontracting activities with public R&D institutions, universities, and private companies. Activities must take place in Spain or within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Impact: This incentive significantly reduces the effective cost of R&D, making it an attractive tool for businesses of all sizes to invest in innovation. Spain’s unique technical pre-approval process by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities provides certainty for tax audits.

2 | ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación) Loans

ENISA provides participatory loans to startups and innovative SMEs, acting as a crucial public financing tool that complements private investment.

Mechanism: ENISA offers non-convertible participatory loans without requiring personal guarantees or collateral, making them highly accessible for early-stage companies. Loan amounts vary based on the program and company stage (e.g., €25,000 to €75,000 for “Young Entrepreneurs,” up to €300,000 for “Entrepreneurs,” and up to €1.5 million for “Growth” companies). Interest rates typically consist of a fixed component (e.g., Euribor + a margin) and a variable component tied to the company’s profitability.

Funding Lines: ENISA has several distinct funding lines tailored to different startup profiles, including “Young Entrepreneurs” (under 41 years old), “Entrepreneurs” (early-stage, no age limit), “Growth” (for expanding innovative SMEs), “Digital Entrepreneurs” (promoting women’s digital entrepreneurship), “Agro SME AgriInnpulso,” and “Audiovisual and Cultural and Creative Industries.”

Impact: ENISA loans are vital for boosting startups’ financial structure, de-risking private investment rounds, and enabling companies to pursue innovative projects without diluting founder equity excessively.

3 | CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial) Funding

CDTI is a public entity under the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, focused on promoting technological innovation and R&D in Spanish companies.

Mechanism: CDTI provides various types of funding, including partially repayable loans and non-refundable grants. Funding can cover up to 85% of eligible project budgets (with non-repayable portions ranging from 10% to 33%).

Key Programs:

- NEOTEC Program: Supports the creation and consolidation of technology-based startups (up to 3 years old), offering grants up to €250,000.

- R&D Projects (PID): Subsidises applied business R&D projects aimed at creating or significantly improving products, processes, or services.

- Direct Innovation Line (LIC): Supports technological projects focused on adoption and adaptation of emerging technologies, with project budgets starting from €175,000.

- CIEN Program: Supports strategic R&D projects carried out in consortiums, focusing on large-scale, strategic collaborations.

- INNVIERTE: CDTI’s venture capital arm, which invests in tech-based innovative companies by acquiring equity, particularly in early or growth stages.

Impact: CDTI is a crucial pillar for supporting business-led R&D, fostering technology transfer, and helping Spanish companies commercialise innovative solutions.

4 | European Union (EU) Funds

Spain, as an EU Member State, extensively utilises various EU structural funds and innovation programmes.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): Funds innovative projects in regions, often managed by regional governments, supporting R&D, digital transformation, and SME growth.

Horizon Europe (EIC Accelerator, Pathfinder, Transition): Spanish startups and SMEs actively participate in these highly competitive programs, securing substantial grants and equity investments for high-impact innovations and breakthrough research.

Digital Kit Program (Kit Digital): Offers vouchers for SMEs and self-employed individuals to adopt digital tools in areas like cybersecurity, e-commerce, and process management, partly funded by EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Cervera Program: Funds R&D projects for startups and SMEs in collaboration with State-wide Technology Centres, focusing on priority technologies like eco-innovation and intelligent manufacturing.

Impact: EU funds provide a significant financial backbone for innovation, promoting international collaboration and aligning national priorities with broader European goals.

5 | Venture Capital Landscape

Spain’s venture capital (VC) ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its position as a leading startup hub in Europe.

Growth and Focus: The Spanish VC market has seen a significant increase in investment activity, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona. Key sectors attracting capital include fintech, SaaS, enterprise software, AI, deep tech, and life sciences.

Key Players: A mix of large institutional VCs (e.g., Caixa Capital Risc, Kibo Ventures), early-stage funds (e.g., Pitchdrive, Inveready), and corporate venture capital (CVC) arms are active. Public entities like CDTI Innvierte and ENISA are also prominent investors.

Impact: A vibrant VC landscape provides essential growth capital for Spanish startups to scale globally, complementing government incentives and fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.

Conclusion

Spain’s comprehensive approach to innovation funding is characterised by its generous R&D&I tax credits, highly accessible participatory loans from ENISA, and robust direct funding from CDTI. This multi-faceted public support, significantly amplified by extensive EU funds and a rapidly expanding venture capital landscape, effectively reduces financial barriers and risks for innovative businesses. This integrated strategy is fundamental to Spain’s continued success in fostering technological advancement, driving digital transformation, and establishing itself as a competitive and attractive hub for innovation in Europe.