IAPMEI: 10 supports measures for your company
IAPMEI (Institute for the Support of Small and Medium Enterprises and Innovation) is a Portuguese public institution that promotes the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as innovation and business competitiveness in Portugal.
IAPMEI’s work covers several areas, including the promotion of entrepreneurship, support for the creation and consolidation of SMEs, the stimulation of technological innovation, the internationalization of Portuguese companies and the facilitation of access to finance.
IAPMEI’s focus areas
IAPMEI plays a key role in supporting the business fabric Portuguese, offering various services and incentive programs. These may include specialist technical support, business advice, training, access to funding lines and tax incentives. The institution works in collaboration with other public entities, such as the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transition, to promote the implementation of policies and measures that favor economic and business development.
Taking into account this work of IAPMEI, we present you 10 supports, tools and programs made available by the institution to leverage your business.
1. Incentives 2030
IAPMEI is one of the places of excellence where you can look for the incentives of Portugal 2030 with open applications.
Alternatively, you can also follow our blog and instagram profile, where we will share the announcements of the applications and what kind of companies they are intended for.
Learn More
How to take advantage of Portugal 2030 to boost your business
2. SI Productive Innovation and SI I&D Companies
On the IAPMEI page you will also find these two support lines, with open applications, which promote innovation in companies, although in slightly different ways.
The SI Productive Innovation measure allows financing operations of an innovative nature that translate into the production of tradable and internationalizable goods and services with high added value and level of national incorporation.
The SI I&D Empresas measure is intended to finance projects with innovative technological solutions that originate new products or services, in the experimental phase, that are not sufficiently validated for commercial use.
3. Tax benefits for companies
Through IAPMEI, you can get more accurate information about the various tax benefits for companies.
As an example, we highlight SIFIDE – System of Tax Incentives for Research and Business Development. This program supports companies in their R&D efforts by deducting from the IRC collection their expenses.
Learn more about tax benefits for businesses here.
4. Tool to find the right financing for your company
In this link of IAPMEI, you can put all the essential information about your company, in order to find a support line that fits your needs.
For example, you can look specifically for lines of support for investment, treasury reinforcement or the creation of startups.
If you need help finding more helplines, you can count on the expertise of Lisboa Investments.
5. Startup Boost
Startup Boost is a program managed by IAPMEI that promotes entrepreneurship among students and entrepreneurs in the NUTS II North, Center and Alentejo regions.
This program empowers and encourages the creation of new companies, providing networking and capacity building for global business trends. Initiatives such as bootcamps, boost talks and video pitch add value to any entrepreneur, fostering their ability to develop a successful startup.
6. Stand Up, Start Up and Scale Up, 3 support programs for entrepreneurs
These 3 programs developed by IAPMEI aim at different levels of entrepreneurship: idealization (stand up), training (start up) and development (scale up).
At the first level, IAPMEI provided Startup Voucher support. At the second level, support for startups such as StartUP Visa comes in. In the third level, highlight the SI Qualified and Creative Entrepreneurship support, which is intended for SMEs under 2 years old.
Currently, many of the support measures are closed. But you can and should consult them to stay abreast of the application requirements and who they are for, in order to better prepare for possible reopenings and their application.
Learn More
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7. SME Academy
Somewhat like Startup Boost, the SME Academy is an initiative of IAPMEI aimed at improving the knowledge and network of SME entrepreneurs in Portugal.
The initiatives of the SME Academy, such as video tutorials or tools to support the entrepreneur, are free of charge and are divided into the following objectives:
– financial literacy;
– digital transition;
– training support programs;
– circular economy and sustainability;
– business management.
8. The benefits of SME Leader status
The PME Líder quality seal is awarded by IAPMEI and distinguishes the merit of national SMEs with superior economic and financial performance. In 2022, 10,239 SMEs were distinguished.
Having this status is not, however, just a matter of pride and distinction. It is an opportunity to access better support and services. PME Líder has “access to a set of benefits, such as special conditions for financial products and a network of services, the facilitation of the relationship with banking and the prestige associated with the PME Líder brand in the relationship with its stakeholders.”
9. Financial self-diagnosis tool
Another of the useful tools for SMEs that you find in IAPMEI is the financial self-diagnosis.
It is a simple tool that automatically makes an assessment of your economic and financial situation, based on the general analysis of the financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) for the last three financial years.
To access this tool and more information go here.
10. Competitiveness clusters
Knowledge and networking make all the difference on the path to success. This is where the competitiveness clusters that you can discover through IAPMEI come in.
These clusters, which are divided into several areas/industries, are “aggregating platforms of knowledge and skills, consisting of partnerships and networks that integrate companies, business associations, public entities and relevant support institutions, […] in order to achieve higher levels of competitiveness through cooperation and the achievement of agglomeration economies.’
Find out in which competitiveness cluster you can fit your company here.
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Conclusion
The objective of IAPMEI is to boost the competitiveness of Portuguese SMEs and startups, facilitate their sustainability and stimulate innovation and job creation.
In addition, IAPMEI also plays an important role in promoting the internationalization of Portuguese companies, facilitating their entry into foreign markets, and encouraging participation in fairs and business missions.
These IAPMEI programs and support that we share with you here are just a small example of what the institution offers. For more information, you can always contact us so that we can find the right solution for you.
