Grants for Pre-Revenue Startups in Belgium

One of the most common misconceptions among Belgian founders is that you need revenue or a track record to qualify for grants. In reality, several programs are specifically designed for early-stage companies that have not yet generated income.

The key is understanding which programs target your stage. Not every grant fits a pre-revenue company, but the ones that do can provide critical funding to bridge the gap between idea and market.

This guide covers the main options available across Belgium's three regions and at the EU level, along with alternative financing mechanisms that complement grants.

Innoviris in Brussels offers a Proof of Concept program specifically aimed at companies and research teams that need to validate a technology or business concept before bringing it to market.

This program can fund feasibility studies, prototype development, and early market validation. It is one of the few programs in Belgium explicitly designed for the pre-commercial stage.

Eligibility typically requires a Brussels-based company or a collaboration with a Brussels research institution. The innovation component must be clearly demonstrated — Innoviris does not fund standard business activities.

Funding can cover up to 70% of eligible costs for small enterprises, making it one of the most generous programs for early-stage companies in Belgium. For more details on Innoviris programs, see our Innoviris grants guide.

VLAIO offers feasibility study grants (haalbaarheidsstudie) that help companies assess the technical and economic viability of an innovative project before committing to full development.

These grants are available to companies registered in Flanders, including pre-revenue startups. The grant covers a percentage of study costs including personnel, external expertise, and materials.

The application process requires a clear description of the innovation question you are trying to answer and why the outcome is uncertain enough to justify public support.

VLAIO also offers the KMO-groeisubsidie for strategic growth projects, which can be relevant for startups that have a clear growth plan but limited revenue. The maximum amount is €50,000.

Hub.Brussels provides a range of support services for Brussels-based entrepreneurs in the early stages. While not always a direct cash grant, Hub.Brussels offers coaching, workspace access, networking opportunities, and connections to funding sources.

Their starter programs are designed for entrepreneurs who are still developing their business model or looking for their first customers. This can include help with business plan development, market research, and administrative setup.

Hub.Brussels also manages specific calls for proposals that target early-stage companies in priority sectors like tech, creative industries, and social entrepreneurship.

Combining Hub.Brussels support with an Innoviris application can strengthen your dossier, as it demonstrates you are actively building the business infrastructure around your innovation.

At the EU level, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder program supports breakthrough research and early-stage technology development. Belgian startups with deep-tech innovation can apply.

EIC Pathfinder is designed for very early-stage projects — often pre-prototype — where the technology risk is high but the potential impact is significant. Grants can reach up to €3 million for collaborative projects.

The success rate is low (typically 5-10%), but the program is specifically designed for the kind of high-uncertainty work that pre-revenue companies often undertake.

Belgian companies can access support from the NCP network (National Contact Points) to prepare their applications. The NCP provides free guidance on proposal writing and consortium building.

The win-win loan (winwinlening in Flanders, prêt coup de pouce in Wallonia) is not a grant but a government-backed lending mechanism where private individuals can lend money to startups with a tax advantage.

For pre-revenue startups, this can be an important complementary funding source. The lender receives a tax credit, which makes it more attractive for friends, family, or angel investors to support your company.

The maximum amounts and conditions vary by region, but the principle is the same: the government incentivises private lending to SMEs and startups through fiscal benefits.

This mechanism can be combined with grants — you can use the win-win loan for co-financing requirements that many grant programs impose.

Most Belgian grant programs for pre-revenue companies share common eligibility requirements: the company must be registered in Belgium (usually in the specific region), it must be an SME or startup by EU definition, and the project must have a clear innovation component.

Being pre-revenue is not a disqualification for most programs, but you will need to demonstrate the commercial potential of your project. Evaluators want to see a credible path to market, even if revenue has not yet materialised.

Financial health requirements are usually lighter for early-stage companies, but you still need clean accounting, an up-to-date BCE/KBO registration, and a matching NACE code.

For a broader overview of startup grants across Belgium, see our startup grants guide. To check your eligibility quickly, use Lucas, our grant assistant.