A voucher to hire the expertise you lack
Vouchers fund specialised innovation, engineering or knowledge-transfer services for a specific company project.
- Funding for specialised innovation services
- A small-scale project with a simpler application
- An entry point to larger R&D projects
Calls with limited budget — deadline in force confirmed during the assessment
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Funding
Calculated for your project
Programmes
Portugal 2030, RRP and others
Region
Mainland Portugal and regions with their own programmes
Eligible businesses
Micro businesses, Small businesses, Startups, Industrial companies
The opportunity
Why this funding is worth exploring
The incentive reduces the financial burden of the investment and accelerates projects already planned by the business.
Innovation without an in-house team
The voucher pays for external expertise from research bodies or specialised consultants.
A light application
It is designed for small projects, with lighter paperwork than a full R&D project.
A structured first step
Many larger projects start with a voucher that validates the idea before serious investment.
Who can apply
- SMEs with activity covered by the call in force
- A product, process, service or organisational innovation project
- Services contracted from qualified providers
- Tax and social security compliance
- Services not yet contracted at the application date
What it can fund
- Innovation and engineering consultancy services
- Technical feasibility studies and prototype development
- Knowledge transfer from universities and technology centres
- Industrial property linked to the project
- Digitalisation and eco-innovation services set out in the call
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Receive an answer within 24 business hours.
Estimate my grantKeep exploring
Other funding linked to this project
Many companies combine more than one incentive. Check the related pages before deciding.
How Start PME works
From assessment to payment, with support at every stage
We work through clear stages so you always know what happens next.
- 1
Free assessment
We review the business profile, investment and region to confirm eligibility and the applicable rate.
- 2
Strategy and eligibility
We select the right call, structure the project and maximise the available uplifts.
- 3
Application submitted
We prepare the project description, investment plan and forecasts, and submit everything on time.
- 4
Delivery and payments
We support procurement, payment claims and reports through to project completion.
5,000+
Applications submitted
€50M+
Approved eligible expenditure
€27M+
Approved non-repayable funding
82%
Approval rate
Experience and trust
Trusted by the clients we have supported
Proven results and genuine feedback from Start PME clients.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions holding back your decision
Find out in two minutes whether funding is available for your business
Free assessment, reply within 24 business hours and no obligation.

