Summary sheet of the assistance

Action

2020 NEOTEC Grants

Overall Objective

Finance the launch of new business projects which require the use of technologies or knowledge developed from research activities and in which the business strategy is based on technological development.

Beneficiaries

Innovative small companies.

They must be small companies that are considered innovative companies, as indicated in the Funding Rules (Article 3.1, Order CNU/1308/2018 of 28 November 2018).

They must also meet the following requirements:

  1. They shall not be listed in a stock exchange.
  2. They must have been set up no more than three years prior to the closing date for the submission of applications for aid under this call, counting from the date on which the company's deed of incorporation was executed, which must be at least six months prior to the closing date for the submission of applications for aid.
  3. They must not have distributed profits.
  4. They must not have been created through a corporate transaction as covered by Law 3/2009 of 3 April on structural modifications of commercial companies.
  5. They must have a minimum share capital, or share capital plus issue premium, of €20,000, paid in full, and be fully recorded in the corresponding registry prior to the submission of the application. For these purposes, the registration date shall be the date of the registration entry.
  6. They must have filed their annual accounts with the Commercial Registry or corresponding official register for the last two financial years, if applicable.

For more information, please check the call for applications.

Call type

Competitive tendering with submission periods.

Submission deadline

From 17 April to 30 June 2020, at 12.00 Spanish peninsular time.

Call Status

Closed.

Type of assistance

Grant

Call budget

€25,000,000.

Characteristics of the assitance

Subsidies up to 70% of the activity budget, with a grant of up to €250,000 per beneficiary.

Characteristics of the project

Minimum eligible budget: €175,000.

Projects lasting one or two years. They shall start on or after 1 January 2021 and may end on 31 December 2021 in the case of a one-year project or on 31 December 2022 in the case of a two-year project.

May include third-party funds

No.

Allows for generating motivated reports

No.

Specific objectives

New business projects that require the use of technologies or knowledge developed from the research activity and in which the business strategy is based on the development of technology. Technology and innovation will be competitive factors that contribute to the differentiation of the company and serve as the basis for the strategy and long-term business plan, with the maintenance of own R&D lines.

There are no restrictions regarding the sector or the technology to be developed. However, business models that are mainly based on services to third parties, without developing their own technology, are not suitable for this call.

Eligible expenses are considered, provided they are included in the business plan and are necessary for its development, the expenses derived from the start-up of a new business project of innovative companies during  2020 and 2021. may finance the following expenses: a) Investments in equipment, b) Personnel expenses, c) Materials, d) External collaborations / consultancy. These expenses may include the cost derived from the evaluation report of the expert or the certification of the external auditor, accrediting the nature of an innovative company, e) Other costs: rents, supplies, royalties and licences, patent application and maintenance expenses and other industrial property rights, insurance and expenses derived from the auditor's report. The latter will have a maximum limit of 2,000 euros per beneficiary and annuity.

Gastos elegibles

New business projects which require the use of technologies or knowledge developed from research activity and in which the business strategy is based on technological development. Technology and innovation will be competitive factors in favour of the company and serve as a basis for the strategy and long-term business plan, with the maintenance of its own R&D lines.

There is no restriction in terms of the sector or technology to be developed. However, business models that are mainly based on services to third parties and don't involve in-house technology development are not eligible for this call.

Expenditure incurred for the launch of new business projects by innovative companies during 2020 and 2021 is considered to be eligible expenditure provided that it is included in the business plan and necessary for its development. The following expenditure may be funded: a) Investment in equipment, b) Staff members, c) Materials, d) External collaborations/consultancy, and (e) Other costs: rent, supplies, royalties and licences, applying for and maintaining patents and other industrial property rights, insurance and costs arising from the auditor's report. The latter may be up to €2000 per beneficiary, per year.

 

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation criteria, as indicated in the call, are as follows:

Criterion

Score

Minimum

1. Assessment of the commercial operational plan for the project. This includes the business model, predicted revenue generation, market potential, barriers to market entry, competition and product/process/service advantages.

0–30

15

2. Assessment of the project technology and innovation. This includes the proposed technology, the technological need and its differential value, innovation and the technical challenge. The intellectual and industrial property management plan will also be analysed, and the quality and clarity of the proposal presentation will be taken into account.

0–35

21

3. Assessment of the management capacity of the team involved in business development. This includes competence and prior professional training and experience in relation to the project. The degree of commitment and dedication of the technical and management team to the business project and their relational skills will also be taken into account, and the team's links with networks and environments that support entrepreneurship will be assessed.

0–30

15

4. Assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact. This includes the predicted job creation covered in the business plan, private investments mobilised and measures aimed at gender equality, social inclusion and sustainability.

0–5

N/A

If applications do not reach the threshold required for Criterion 2: Assessment of the project technology and innovation, they will be rejected without the other criteria being assessed.

Documentation calls

Processing of calls