New Incentives for Startups

The Government has approved Ordinance 49/2025/1 of February 20, which establishes the Specific Regulation for the Startup Competitiveness Incentive System (Regulamento Específico do Sistema de Incentivos à Competitividade das Startups). This legislative development may be of great interest to early-stage startups, as it aims to provide micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and startups with the financial means to stimulate their inception, growth and internationalization.

Territorial Scope

This incentive system applies throughout mainland Portugal (Portugal continental).

Beneficiaries

Eligible beneficiaries are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including startups that meet the requirements established in the applicable startup and scaleup regime (“Startups”).

Learn more about the Legal Regime on Startups and Scaleups and the Startup and Scaleup Status Regulation.

Financial Incentives

The new regulation introduces several non-refundable lump-sum financial incentives, which may be helpful for the development of early-stage Startups, including:                                                                        

• Deep Tech Voucher: Grant of €60,000 to enable national deep tech enterprises to participate in international programs.

• Go to EIC Accelerator Voucher: Grant of €10,000 for preparing applications to the EIC Accelerator. 

• Start from Knowledge Program: Grant of €30,000 to encourage the creation of startups within academia and transfer scientific and technological know-how from higher education institutions to national businesses.

These measures are designed to create a more favorable environment for entrepreneurship, incentivizing the creation of new enterprises and technological innovation. The Ordinance also sets clear criteria for eligibility and granting incentives, ensuring a transparent and fair process.

Startups should assess whether their projects meet the established criteria and consider applying for the available grants following the calls for applications to be published (particularly on the ANI website). Also, early-stage investors (and e.g., business angels), incubators, and accelerators should be alert to the collaboration opportunities arising from this Ordinance.