Funding and Support Opportunities for Companies in Portugal

Innovation, internationalization, and sustainability continue to be the main drivers of growth for Portuguese companies. But turning great ideas into concrete projects requires investment — and securing funding is not always easy.

Fortunately, 2025 brings a wide range of national and European funding opportunities for startups, SMEs, and scaleups, with open calls in key areas such as technology, tourism, research, and intellectual property.

If you’re planning to develop a new product, expand your business into international markets, or protect your innovation, discover below the main funding programs currently open for applications.

💡 1. European Innovation Council (EIC) – Support for Deep-Tech Startups and Scaleups

The EIC (European Innovation Council) is one of the European Union’s most ambitious instruments to support deep-tech companies — those developing breakthrough technologies with high global impact potential.
Companies can apply through programs such as the EIC Accelerator (for scaleups) or EIC Transition (to turn research into market-ready innovation).

🚀 2. Portugal 2030 – Funding for EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator Projects with the Seal of Excellence

What it is: Financial support for projects recognized with the Seal of Excellence under Horizon Europe, allowing companies to secure national funding to continue their development.
For: Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Small Mid Caps.
Applications open until: October 31, 2025.

🌐 3. Portugal 2030 – Internationalization of R&D

What it is: Funding to support the preparation and submission of proposals to European programs such as Horizon Europe, the EUREKA Network, the Digital Europe Programme, the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, and the European Defence Fund.
For: Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises and Small Mid Caps.
Applications open until: December 30, 2025.

🏖️ 4. Portugal Ventures – Call FIT (Fostering Innovation in Tourism)

What it is: An investment program of up to €150,000 for projects in the Pre-Seed, Seed, or Early-Stage phases, focused on innovation and digital/sustainable transformation in the tourism sector.
For: Companies not yet incorporated or already established in Portugal.
Applications open until: January 19, 2026 (with evaluation cut-offs on September 29, 2025, November 24, 2025, and January 19, 2026).

💸 5. Banco Português de Fomento – Deal-by-Deal Program

What it is: Direct investment operations in co-investment with private investors, designed to finance innovative companies at various development stages — pre-seed, seed, start-up, later stage, or scale-up.
For: Non-financial companies.
Applications open until: December 31, 2025.

🧠 6. Portugal 2030 – Intellectual and Industrial Property Protection

What it is: Funding covering up to 50% of the costs related to intellectual and industrial property protection, including patents, trademarks, and models.
For: SMEs and Small Mid Caps.
Applications open until: December 30, 2025.

🪙 7. SME Fund – European Union Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

What it is: Financial support in the form of vouchers, offering partial reimbursements in several areas:

• Voucher 1: IP pre-diagnosis service – up to €810.
• Voucher 2: Trademark and design/model protection – up to €700.
• Voucher 3: National and European patents – up to €1,500.
• Voucher 4: Community plant variety protection – up to €1,500.
  For: SMEs.
  Applications open until: December 5, 2025.

⚙️ How to Prepare a Strong Application

Before submitting your application, make sure you:
✅ Have a structured business plan with measurable objectives;
✅ Ensure your company meets the eligibility criteria (size, sector, location);
✅ Can demonstrate economic and/or environmental impact;
✅ Have updated financial documentation;
✅ Are ready to co-finance part of the investment, if required by the program.

📩 Need support? Contact us at: comercial@theventurebuilder.pt