VLAIO vs Innoviris vs SPW: Which Belgian Grant Body is Right for You?
Belgium has three regional grant bodies, each serving businesses in their region. Choosing the right one depends on where your company is registered and what you need funding for. This guide compares VLAIO, Innoviris, and SPW side by side.
Overview: The 3 main Belgian grant bodies
Belgium's federal structure means each region has its own economic development agency. VLAIO serves Flanders, Innoviris serves Brussels-Capital, and SPW serves Wallonia. Each offers grants for innovation, hiring, export, sustainability, and more — but with different programs, budgets, and requirements.
VLAIO — For Flanders-based businesses
VLAIO (Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen) is the largest and best-funded grant body in Belgium. It supports businesses registered in the Flemish Region.
What it funds:
- R&D and innovation projects (product, process, service innovation)
- Strategic hires via innovation mandates
- SME growth and transformation projects
- Ecology and energy transition investments
- Export and internationalization support
Eligibility: Companies with a registered office in Flanders (KBO). SMEs and large enterprises.
Key programs: R&D project subsidies, SME Growth, Innovation mandates, Ecology premium, KMO Portefeuille
Funding: Up to €3M per R&D project. SME Growth up to €500K. KMO Portefeuille up to €7,500/year.
Innoviris — For Brussels-based businesses
Innoviris is the Brussels-Capital Region's public body for funding research and innovation. It has a smaller budget than VLAIO but strong programs for urban and social innovation.
What it funds:
- Industrial and applied research
- Proof of concept and prototyping
- Social innovation and circular economy
- Collaborative research with academic partners
- Innovation vouchers for small-scale experiments
Eligibility: Companies with a registered unit of operation in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Key programs: SME R&D, Joint R&D, Living Labs, Innovation vouchers, Proof of Concept
Funding: Up to €500K for SME R&D. Joint R&D projects up to €1M+. Innovation vouchers €5K–€60K.
SPW — For Wallonia-based businesses
SPW (Service Public de Wallonie) manages economic development and research funding for the Walloon Region. It offers strong support for industrial R&D and SME competitiveness.
What it funds:
- Industrial research and experimental development
- Investment aid for SMEs (equipment, infrastructure)
- Export and internationalization (AWEX partnership)
- Environmental and energy transition projects
- Digital transformation support
Eligibility: Companies with a registered office in Wallonia. SMEs get higher co-financing rates.
Key programs: FIRST grants, Innovation vouchers, Investment aid, AWEX export support, Digital Wallonia
Funding: R&D grants covering 25–70% of costs. Investment aid up to 20% for large, 30% for SMEs.
Comparison table
| VLAIO | Innoviris | SPW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Flanders | Brussels-Capital | Wallonia |
| Best for | Tech, manufacturing, large-scale R&D | Urban innovation, social impact, SMEs | Industrial R&D, SME investment, digital |
| Key programs | R&D subsidies, SME Growth, KMO Portefeuille | SME R&D, Joint R&D, Living Labs | FIRST grants, Investment aid, Digital Wallonia |
| Max funding | Up to €3M | Up to €1M+ | Up to €2M+ |
| Language | Dutch | French / Dutch | French |
| Application difficulty | Medium–High | Medium | Medium |
Can I apply to multiple bodies?
In general, you can only apply to the grant body of the region where your company is registered. However, there are exceptions:
- If you have offices in multiple regions, you may apply to each for activities performed in that region
- Federal programs (like the partial exemption of withholding tax for R&D) are separate and can be combined with regional grants
- EU programs (Horizon Europe, COSME) are independent from regional bodies
- Some inter-regional collaborative projects allow partners to apply to their respective regional body
Frequently asked questions
Which Belgian grant body has the most funding?▼
VLAIO has the largest budget, reflecting Flanders' economic weight. However, per-project maximums vary by program, and Innoviris or SPW may offer better rates for certain types of projects, especially for SMEs.
Can a Brussels company apply to VLAIO?▼
No. VLAIO only funds companies registered in Flanders. Brussels companies should apply to Innoviris. The exception is if your company has an operational unit in Flanders — then that unit's activities may qualify for VLAIO support.
Are the application processes similar across all three bodies?▼
They follow a similar pattern (project proposal, evaluation, decision), but each body has its own forms, portals, and timelines. VLAIO has the most structured and digitized process. SPW and Innoviris may involve more direct contact with advisors.
What if my company moves to a different region?▼
Your grant eligibility follows your company's registered office. If you move from Brussels to Flanders, you would apply to VLAIO for future projects. Any active grants from Innoviris would need to be discussed with them — ongoing grants may continue or need transfer.