The business development project grant for deep tech start-ups aims to help companies prepare for international growth, test their solution’s market potential and develop the knowledge and skills needed for exporting. Under the current regulation, a single project can receive up to 100 000 euros, and the grant can cover up to 75% of the project’s eligible costs (§ 8).
Who is the grant for?
Applications are open to deep tech start-ups registered in the Estonian Commercial Register that have been operating for up to seven years at the time of application. The company’s team must include at least two full-time positions, and the company must have the own funding needed to implement the project (§ 10).
The regulation defines a deep tech company as a company whose product or service is based on scientific or engineering knowledge and whose development involves higher-than-usual technological and commercial risk (§ 4 clause 1).
What can the grant be used for?
The grant focuses on international business development. Supported activities can include:
- testing product or service market fit in foreign markets;
- testing demand among potential customers;
- test marketing;
- developing an internationalisation strategy;
- analysing financing options for international growth;
- finding investors;
- analyses relating to intellectual property and patents;
- services related to meeting the regulatory requirements needed for internationalisation (§ 6).
Eligible costs may include salaries, business trip and travel expenses, outsourced services, and costs related to training and events (§ 7).
How much funding is available?
The maximum grant is 100 000 euros per project, with a funding rate of up to 75% of eligible costs. The company must cover the remainder from its own funding (§ 8).
The standard project duration is up to 12 months. Where there is a valid reason, this period may be extended by three months (§ 9).
It is important to note that project activities must not begin, and binding commitments must not be made, before the application is submitted (§ 9 subsection 5).
How are projects assessed?
Applications are assessed against four main criteria:
- the project’s impact on achieving the company’s business objectives – 40%;
- the team’s experience – 30%;
- the action plan and budget – 20%;
- the impact on implementing sustainability principles – 10% (§ 13).
To receive funding, a project must achieve an overall score of at least 2,5 points and fall within the application round’s budget (§ 14).
When can you apply?
Funding is allocated through application rounds. EIS publishes the budget, opening date and duration of each round before it opens (§ 12).
The current regulation therefore does not yet provide the exact opening date or budget of the next round.
What should companies do now?
If a company is considering applying, it should first check whether it meets the requirements for a deep tech start-up and whether the planned project is clearly linked to international business development.
It is also worth planning the project activities, budget and own funding early, and checking the company’s use of de minimis aid, as the grant is awarded as de minimis aid (§ 3).
Summary
The measure is primarily aimed at deep tech start-ups looking to prepare for entry into international markets or growth within them. Funding of up to 100 000 euros is available, the funding rate is up to 75%, and the project must focus on the company’s international business development.
EIS will announce the opening date and budget of the next application round separately.
Source: Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology regulation No 54 “Conditions and procedure for awarding grants for business development projects of deep tech start-ups”, version in force from 18.07.2026.