Scale faster with Belgian grants
Belgium offers dedicated funding programs for scaleups and growth-stage companies. From growth subsidies to EU accelerators, discover grants designed to fuel your next growth phase.
Find grants for my scaleupWhat makes a scaleup?
Revenue growth of 20%+ per year
Scaleups typically show sustained annual revenue or employee growth of at least 20% over three consecutive years, distinguishing them from stable SMEs.
10+ employees
Most grant agencies define a scaleup as a company with at least 10 employees at the start of the growth period, differentiating it from micro-enterprises.
Proven product-market fit
Unlike startups still validating, scaleups have a proven product or service and need capital to expand into new markets, hire talent, or scale operations.
Top grants for scaleups
The most relevant Belgian and EU grants for companies in the growth phase.
VLAIO KMO-groeisubsidie
VLAIO (Flanders)
Up to €50,000
Covers up to 50% of costs for strategic advice or hiring expertise to support a growth trajectory such as internationalization or digital transformation.
Innoviris Scale
Innoviris (Brussels)
Up to €400,000
Funds industrial research and experimental development for Brussels companies ready to scale an innovation to market.
Hub.Brussels Scale
Hub.Brussels
Up to €100,000
Supports Brussels-based companies with export coaching, trade missions, and international expansion programs.
SPW Croissance
SPW (Wallonia)
Up to €200,000
Investment aids for Walloon companies expanding production capacity, entering new markets, or investing in growth-related equipment.
Flanders Investment & Trade
FIT (Flanders)
Up to €75,000
Export and internationalization subsidies for Flemish companies expanding to foreign markets through trade fairs, prospection, and offices abroad.
EIC Accelerator (EU)
European Commission
Up to €2,500,000
EU-level blended finance (grant + equity) for high-impact companies with breakthrough innovations ready to scale across Europe.
Growth stage matching
| Annual revenue | Headcount | Growth stage | Recommended grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| €500K–€2M | 10–25 | Early growth | VLAIO KMO-groeisubsidie, Hub.Brussels Scale, SPW Chèques Entreprises |
| €2M–€10M | 25–100 | Expansion | Innoviris Scale, SPW Croissance, Flanders Investment & Trade |
| €10M+ | 100+ | Late growth | EIC Accelerator, Horizon Europe, Regional investment aids |
How to apply
Assess your eligibility
Confirm your company meets the scaleup criteria for your region. Check your KBO/BCE registration, headcount, and financial thresholds.
Select the right program
Match your growth ambition (export, R&D, hiring, digitalization) to the grant that fits. Use our quiz or chat with Lucas for guidance.
Prepare your application
Gather your business plan, financial projections, growth strategy, and supporting documents. Most programs require a detailed project description.
Submit and follow up
Submit through the regional portal (VLAIO, Innoviris, SPW). Track deadlines, respond promptly to evaluator questions, and plan for reporting milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a startup grant and a scaleup grant?
Startup grants fund early-stage activities like proof of concept and market validation. Scaleup grants target companies that already have a proven product and need funding for expansion, internationalization, or scaling operations.
Can a company with foreign shareholders apply for Belgian scaleup grants?
Yes. As long as the company is registered in Belgium with a KBO/BCE number and meets the regional eligibility criteria, the nationality of shareholders does not matter.
How long does it take to receive scaleup grant funding?
Small grants like VLAIO KMO-groeisubsidie are typically approved in 4–8 weeks. Larger programs like Innoviris Scale or EIC Accelerator can take 3–6 months from application to funding.
Can I combine multiple scaleup grants?
Yes, cumulation is allowed in Belgium up to a maximum aid intensity (usually 60–80% of eligible costs). You must declare all public funding sources in each application.
Ready to scale with Belgian grants?
Take our 2-minute quiz or chat with Lucas, our AI grant advisor, to find the best funding for your growth stage.