Startup grants in Madrid: 2026 complete guide

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If you are looking for grants for your startup or SME in Madrid, the ecosystem has four distinct levels: specific grants from the Community of Madrid, those from the Madrid City Council, support from the Chamber of Commerce, and national and European lines accessible to any Spanish company based in Madrid. In this guide, we review them all, updated for 2026.

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Community of Madrid grants for innovative technology-based companies

Co-financed by the 2021-2027 ERDF funds, as part of the Smart and Sustainable Specialization Strategy (S3). They are structured into three lines based on the company's age:

• Line 1 — New innovative technology-based companies: up to 1 year old. Up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a limit of €80,000.
• Line 2 — Young innovative technology-based companies: between 1 and 5 years old. Up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a limit of €150,000. R&D&i spending must account for at least 15% of operating costs.
• Line 3 — High-intensity innovative SMEs: between 5 and 15 years old, with a limit of €250,000.

General requirements: small or medium-sized enterprise status, innovative nature, and at least one workplace in the Community of Madrid. The grants have an incentive effect (projects already started are not eligible), and must be executed within a maximum period of 24 months. Grants are awarded through a competitive bidding process.

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Learn more: Here

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DeepTech Madrid: grants for science-based startups

Driven by the madri+d Knowledge Foundation, this program is specifically aimed at researchers and science-based projects looking to make the leap into entrepreneurship. It features an investment of nearly 2 million euros over three years, structured into three lines:

• Line 1 — Early-stage entrepreneurial projects: aimed at scientists, researchers, and professionals linked to universities, hospitals, or research centers. Up to €5,000 to launch the startup.
• Line 2 — Established startups (founded from 2019 onwards) with a high degree of innovation and proven scientific knowledge: up to €50,000 to develop a growth plan or boost commercialization.
• Line 3 — More consolidated deeptech startups, which have been beneficiaries of Line 2 in previous editions.

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Madrid is home to over 350 deeptech startups, many of which emerged from the university environment. In previous editions, more than 180 proposals have been received, 80 of which have been supported.

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Learn more: Here

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Innovation Voucher: outsourcing R&D&i projects

Specifically aimed at SMEs in traditional sectors that are not technology producers, to encourage the use of R&D&i support services by hiring accredited external providers.

• Amount: 80% of eligible expenses (excluding VAT), up to a maximum of €60,000.
• Provider: must be a Technology Center, University, Research Organization, or a specialized R&D technical assistance services company with its tax residence and workplace in the Community of Madrid. Three quotes from different providers must be submitted.
• Exclusions: companies in the commercial, financial, real estate, and technology startup sectors (NACE G, J, K, L) are excluded.
• Call for applications: open indefinitely, on a non-competitive basis (first-come, first-served) until the annual budget is exhausted. Maximum execution period of 1 calendar year.

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More information: Here

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Grants for the acquisition of production assets (industrial companies)

Aimed at the modernization of industrial companies through investment in machinery, equipment, and infrastructure.

• Beneficiaries: commercial companies with a workplace in Madrid and an average workforce of between 50 and 1,000 employees (a complementary line exists for companies with fewer than 50 employees).
• Grant intensity: 60% in general, up to 75% in municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.
• Amount: minimum joint investment of €75,000 (each individual investment must exceed €1,000), with a maximum grant of €300,000 per company (de minimis regime).
• 2026 Call for applications: budget of 10.5 million euros, application period from March 24 to April 22, 2026.

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More information: Here

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Grants for commercial, service, and artisan SMEs

For the modernization, digitalization, and innovation of commercial, service, or artisan establishments or workshops.

• Amount: 50% of the accepted budget, with a maximum of €10,000.
• Minimum investment: €5,000 for commercial and service SMEs; €500 for the artisan sector.
• Priority: businesses over 50 years old (established businesses).
• 2026 Call for applications: €2.5 million budget; eligible expenses between September 16, 2025, and September 15, 2026.

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More information: Here

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Grants for digital solutions in SMEs (RETECH Project)

Subsidizes the development and implementation of digital solutions as part of the "Digital Entrepreneurship Networks" project in the Community of Madrid, funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Next Generation EU).

• Amount: 100% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of €150,000 per company.
• Beneficiaries: SMEs based in the Community of Madrid.

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Learn more: Here

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Hiring and employment grants

The Community of Madrid offers direct financial incentives for permanent hiring, specifically aimed at groups facing greater difficulties entering the labor market (young people, those aged 45-55 and over, people with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed).

• Amount: between €5,500 and €14,000 per hired worker, depending on the group and circumstances (the highest amounts are awarded for the long-term unemployed and those over 55).
• Submission: throughout 2026, with a resolution period of up to 4 months. The deadline to apply is one month from the date the new hire is registered with Social Security.
• There are also specific bonuses for hiring people with disabilities (up to €5,500).

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Learn more: Here

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Growth grants for freelancers and micro-enterprises

• Amount: 50% of eligible expenses, with a general limit of €140,000, extendable up to €150,000 in municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants.
• They usually require a minimum period of business activity.

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More information: Here

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Zero-Cost Rate for self-employed workers

Covers 100% of the Social Security contribution during the state's reduced-rate period by refunding what the self-employed worker has already paid.

• How it works: the self-employed worker continues to pay their monthly contribution, and the Community of Madrid subsequently reimburses that amount.
• Application deadline: ongoing, within 3 months after the end of each 12-month period of the reduced rate. It is not requested upon registration, but rather after having benefited from the state reduction.
• Compatibility: complements (does not replace) the state flat rate.

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More information: Here

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AvalMadrid: bank financing guaranteed by the Community of Madrid

AvalMadrid acts as a guarantor for Madrid-based startups and SMEs with financial institutions, facilitating access to loans with better terms (preferential interest rates, longer repayment periods, and lower costs).

• Investment: financing of up to 100% of the investment through loans or leasing (including real estate leasing).
• Working Capital (Plan Impulsa Pyme): credit lines and treasury loans for liquidity needs.
• Guarantees for Public Administrations: individual guarantees or guarantee lines for submitting bonds or security deposits to public bodies.
• Specific lines for freelancers: loans, leasing, or credit.

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Madrid City Council Grants

At the municipal level, the Madrid City Council manages its own calls for applications, separate from those of the Community of Madrid, most notably:

• Grants to promote digitalization in the retail sector.
• Grants for the modernization and revitalization of municipal markets and food halls.
• Grants to incentivize entrepreneurship in municipal markets, including the modernization or replacement of newsstands.
• Grants to promote revitalization and training in the retail, restaurant, and hotel sectors.

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Madrid Chamber of Commerce: Acelera Pyme Office

The Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Madrid, together with AECIM (also designated as an Acelera Pyme Office by Red.es), offers free, personalized advice to SMEs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs for their digitalization, including:

• Digital maturity assessment and advice on the Digital Kit (grants from Red.es for digitalization, with a national budget of over 3 billion euros).
• Information on current grants and subsidies, both local and European.
• Workshops and training sessions on cybersecurity, e-commerce, CRM, and artificial intelligence.

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National grants available to startups based in Madrid

In addition to the above programs, any startup based in Madrid can apply for the main national public funding lines.

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ENISA: participatory loans

ENISA provides participatory loans without requiring personal guarantees.

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CDTI: R&D&i funding programs

• NEOTEC Program: for newly created technology-based startups.
• PID Program: R&D projects.
• LIC Program: IT projects
• Cervera Program: in collaboration with Technology Centers, up to 85% of the budget.

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Seals and certifications

Seals and certifications: Innovative SME Seal, Innovative Young Company, Emerging Company.

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European funding: Horizon Europe and the EIC Accelerator

Horizon Europe (2021-2027) is the EU's framework program for R&D&i. The benchmark instrument for startups is the EIC Accelerator (formerly "SME Instrument"): up to 70% of the project with a maximum of 2.5 million euros in non-repayable grants, plus up to 15 million euros through equity investment from the European Commission.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a startup in Madrid combine several of these grants at the same time?

In general, yes, provided that the same expenses are not funded by more than one program and that the limits on public aid accumulation (de minimis regime, where applicable) are respected.

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What is the difference between grants from the Community of Madrid and those from the Madrid City Council?

They are different administrations with independent calls for applications. The Community of Madrid covers the entire region; the City Council manages its own programs focused on the capital's municipal area (commerce, municipal markets, etc.).

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Is the Digital Kit a grant from the Community of Madrid?

No, it is a national grant managed by Red.es. The Madrid Chamber of Commerce, through its Acelera Pyme Office, offers free advice on how to apply for it, but the grant itself is not regional.

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Does Horizon 2020 still exist?

No. It was replaced by Horizon Europe (2021-2027); the former "SME Instrument" is now the EIC Accelerator.

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Want to know which grants are the perfect fit for your project? At Intelectium, we work on a 100% success-fee basis: we only get paid if we secure your funding. Talk to our team →

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