The Institut Català de Finances (ICF) finances self-employed workers, SMEs, large companies and public and private sector entities through medium and long-term loans.

If you are in Catalonia and are looking to boost growth, accelerate digitalization, boost R&D, improve energy efficiency or deploy green and circular economy projects, the ICF allows you to gain financial oxygen and execute your plan without setbacks.

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What is the ICF and who does it fund?

The ICF is Catalonia's public financial institution. It provides funding to freelancers, SMEs, midcaps and large companies in almost all sectors, as well as associations and organizations in the public and private spheres. Its focus: productive investment, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, housing, social and primary sector, culture/sports and sustainable tourism.

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The main lines for innovative companies

1) Sustainability (ICF Ecoverda and ICF Climate Action)

For: projects committed to the environment and the fight against climate change.

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Typical Uses:

• Mitigation and adaptation to climate change (reduction of emissions, low carbon economy).
  
  
• Energy efficiency (technologies that cut consumption and costs).
  
  
• Green economy (renewables, efficient resource management, biodiversity).
  
  
• Circular economy (reuse, recycling and innovation to extend product life).

Guidative conditions:

• Import (private sector): from 100,000€ upto 5 M€ per operation.
  
  
• Import (public entities): between 2.5 M€ and 10 M€.
  
  
• Coverage: until 100% of the investment.
  
  
• Deadline: until 20 years (private) and up to 30 years (public), with Deficiency From to 2 years included.
  
  
• Interest: Euribor 12m + spread from 0.9% (depending on company/project risk).
  
  
• Commissions and guarantees: to be determined depending on the operation.

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2) Industry (Industry 4.0 and Reindustrialization)

For: growth, digitalization, productive improvement and sustainability in industrial companies.‍

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Typical Uses:

• Industrial investment (tangible/intangible assets; capacity building and employment).
  
  
• Digitalization and transformation of processes (ICT for efficiency and competitiveness).
  
  
• R+D+i (personnel, equipment, subcontractors linked to the project).
  
  
• Energy efficiency and sustainability improvements in production processes.

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Guidative conditions:

• Import: from 200,000€.
  
  
• Deadline: until 10 years, with Deficiency From to 2 years included.
  
  
• Interest: Euribor 12m + spread from 0.50% (depending on risk).
  
  
• Bonus: possible bonus up to 2% of the type (Business and Labor Department) according to product.
  
  
• Commissions and guarantees: to be determined according to the project.

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3) SMEs

For: growth, job creation, creativity and investment in SMEs.
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‍Typical Uses:

• Innovation and Expansion (new products/services and competitiveness).
  
  
• Job creation with preferential conditions.
  
  
• Productive investments with FEDER support (depending on the program).

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Conditions (SMEs):

• Funding: until 80% of the project.
  
  
• Import:
  
  
  • Medium-term: 100,000€ — 3 M€ (up to 5 years); Deficiency up to 1 year).
    
    
  • Long term: 100,000€ — 4 M€ (up to 15 years old; Deficiency up to 2 years).
    
    
• Interest: Euribor 12m + 0.50% — 2%.
  
  
• Commissions: early amortization, max. 0.25%.
  
  
• Guarantees: to be determined by project.

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Conditions (small midcaps):

• Funding: until 70% of the project.
  
  
• Import:
  
  
  • Medium-term: 400,000€ — 5 M€ (up to 5 years; grace period up to 1 year).
    
    
  • Long term: 400,000€ — 10 M€ (up to 15 years; grace period up to 2 years).
    
    
• Interest: Euribor 12m + 0.50% — 2%.
  
  
• Commissions: early amortization, max. 0.25%.
  
  
• Guarantees: to be determined.

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4) Innovation

For: accelerate technological development, promote R+D+i and improve competitiveness.
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‍Typical Uses:

• R+D+i projects (directly related personnel, equipment and subcontractors).
  
  
• Digitalization/technological transformation (ICT integration in processes).
  
  
• Energy efficiency and sustainability in production.
  
  

(Financial conditions are adjusted on a case-by-case basis; they are usually similar to the Industry/SME lines in terms of time, interest and guarantees.)

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5) ICF bank co-financing: more resources and better conditions

For larger investment projects, the ICF offers co-financing together with a financial institution.
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‍How it works:

• They are formalized two bilateral loans (one with the bank and the other with ICF) In unity of act.
  
  
• They can have symmetric or asymmetric conditions, adapted to the project.
  
  
• Shared guarantees and Solidarity clause for comprehensive coverage.
  
  

Advantages:

• More resources combining funds from the ICF and the bank.
  
  
• Flexible conditions and adapted.
  
  
• Better warranty coverage and coordinated operation.

Do you want us to review your case and propose the most appropriate ICF line (amount, term, grace period and co-financing)? Write to us!