SI Empreendedorismo Qualificado Associado ao Conhecimento - Algarve

The main goal of this grant is to support the creation of new businesses and ventures that arise from research and development (R&D) activities or have a strong focus on knowledge valorization. The opportunity encourages investment in R&D, promotes economic use of research results, and fosters innovation in key sectors identified as priorities for the Algarve region. Emphasis is placed on collaboration between companies and scientific or technological institutions, internationalization in research and innovation, and strengthening product value chains in areas such as agriculture, geological resources, and marine products. The geographic focus is the Algarve region in Portugal.

• Projects must be led by micro or small companies in the Algarve region, in operation for no more than 5 years.
• They should result from R&D activities or have a strong knowledge valorization component, including technology- and creativity-intensive projects.
• Projects must align with the RIS3 Algarve strategy and the EREI Algarve priorities.
• They must aim to develop new or significantly improved products, services, or processes within 24 months, with a risk of technological or industrial failure (for innovative companies).
• Each project must maintain at least one qualified job in the Algarve region.
• Projects must achieve a minimum merit score of 3.00 based on strategy, quality, execution capacity, and impact.

Example projects:

• A startup in the Algarve developing a new marine biotechnology product based on local resources.
• A small creative company launching an innovative software tool for the citrus sector, resulting from a previous R&D project.
• An agri-food business introducing a substantially improved process for processing carob, with external expert validation.

• Purchase of machinery and equipment
• Acquisition of IT hardware and necessary software
• Purchase of technology, such as patents and licenses
• Expenses for technical knowledge and specialized software
• Costs for certified accountants or auditors for payment validation
• Engineering services and technical studies
• Market studies, diagnostics, and audits
• Preparation of marketing plans
• Architectural and engineering project costs
• Indirect costs, calculated as 7% of eligible direct costs

Expenses must be directly related to the project, justified by invoices, acquired from capable suppliers, and used exclusively at the applicant's location.

• Co-financing rate: 70%
• Maximum per project: €750,000
• Maximum project duration: 24 months
• Other financial details: Indirect costs are funded at a fixed rate of 7% of eligible direct costs. Payment includes an initial advance up to 10%, advance against invoice, and reimbursement or final balance. At least one qualified job must be maintained in the Algarve region.

• Applicant must be a micro or small startup company in the Algarve region, operating for no more than 5 years.
• Project must result from R&D or have a strong knowledge valorization focus, including technology- or creativity-intensive aspects.
• Alignment with RIS3 Algarve and EREI Algarve strategies is required.
• Project must maintain at least one qualified job in the Algarve region, verified by the worker's tax residence.
• Applicants must self-assess compliance with the "Do No Significant Harm" principle.
• For innovative companies: demonstrate, via external evaluation, development of new or improved products, services, or processes within 24 months, with risk of technological or industrial failure.
• Alternatively, show R&D costs of at least 10% of total operating costs in one of the past three years (or provide certified interim balance for new companies).
• Applicants must provide financial capacity evidence, proof of worker qualifications, necessary licenses, and legitimacy for facility use.
• Projects must score at least 3.00 in the merit evaluation based on strategy, quality, execution capacity, and impact.