How to Apply for Innoviris Proof of Concept — Complete Guide
The complete guide to applying for Innoviris Proof of Concept in Brussels. Learn who qualifies, what you can fund, and how to submit a winning application for up to €100,000.
Ask Lucas about Innoviris PoCWhat is Innoviris Proof of Concept?
Innoviris Proof of Concept (PoC) is a grant program managed by the Brussels Institute for Research and Innovation. It is designed specifically for Brussels-based organisations that want to test whether an innovative idea, technology, or research result can work in practice. The program funds the early validation stage — before commercial launch, before scaling, and often before a finished product exists.
The PoC grant covers up to €100,000 of eligible costs over a maximum period of 18 months. It targets SMEs, startups, research institutions, and non-profits with a registered presence in the Brussels-Capital Region. The goal is to bridge the gap between a promising concept and evidence that it can become a viable product, service, or process.
Is Proof of Concept right for you?
Researcher with a prototype
You have lab results or a working prototype but no market evidence yet. PoC is designed exactly for this stage — validating that your innovation can move beyond the lab.
Proof of ConceptEarly startup with unproven tech
You have founded a company around a new technology but haven't proven it works at scale or in a real environment. PoC funding lets you run controlled tests and build evidence.
Proof of ConceptScale-up with a validated product
Your product is already on the market and generating revenue. You need funding for commercial expansion, not technical validation. Proof of Business is a better fit.
Proof of BusinessWho qualifies for Innoviris Proof of Concept?
Your organisation must have a registered office or significant operational presence in the Brussels-Capital Region. Both SMEs (fewer than 250 employees) and research institutions are eligible. Startups at any revenue stage can apply, including pre-revenue companies.
The project must be research-based and demonstrate a clear innovation component. Innoviris looks for projects that test something genuinely new — a new technology, a new application of existing technology, or a new scientific approach with commercial or societal potential.
You cannot apply if the project has already started. Costs incurred before the grant agreement is signed are not eligible. The innovation must not yet be commercially available, and the project must be executed primarily in Brussels.
What you can fund with Proof of Concept
| Personnel (researchers) | Salaries of researchers and technical staff directly working on the PoC project. This is typically the largest budget line. |
| Equipment | Lab equipment, testing tools, software licences, and hardware needed specifically for the proof of concept work. |
| IP protection | Patent filing fees, freedom-to-operate analyses, and other intellectual property costs directly related to the innovation. |
| Market validation | User testing, market research, customer interviews, and feasibility studies to validate demand for the innovation. |
| Prototyping | Materials, components, and external services needed to build and iterate on prototypes during the validation phase. |
How much funding and how long?
Innoviris Proof of Concept grants cover up to €100,000 of eligible project costs. The funding rate depends on your organisation type and size — SMEs typically receive between 50% and 70% of eligible costs, while research institutions may receive up to 100% for fundamental research components.
The maximum project duration is 18 months from the official start date defined in the grant agreement. Most PoC projects run between 12 and 18 months. Innoviris releases funding in tranches tied to validated milestones and interim reports.
Step-by-step: how to apply for Innoviris Proof of Concept
Check open calls on innoviris.brussels
Visit the Innoviris website and check whether the Proof of Concept program currently has an open call. Some programs run continuously, while others have specific submission windows. Verify deadlines and any thematic focus for the current call.
Prepare your innovation description
Write a clear, specific description of your innovation: what problem it solves, what is genuinely new about your approach, and what the expected outcome of the proof of concept is. Avoid generic technology buzzwords — Innoviris evaluators want to understand what does not exist today and how your project changes that.
Define your valorisation plan
Describe how the results of the PoC will be used after the project ends. Innoviris wants to see a credible path from proof of concept to market or societal impact. Include target markets, potential customers, commercialisation timeline, and IP strategy.
Submit online via the Innoviris portal
Create an account on the Innoviris online platform and complete the application form. Upload all required documents: project description, detailed budget, team CVs, partnership agreements if applicable, and most recent financial statements. Double-check completeness before submission.
Scientific jury evaluation (8–10 weeks)
After administrative verification, your application is reviewed by a scientific jury. The panel evaluates innovation quality, scientific methodology, team competence, budget realism, and expected impact. You may be invited for a presentation or Q&A session during this phase.
Decision and convention
Innoviris communicates the decision in writing. If approved, you receive a funding convention detailing the grant amount, project milestones, reporting requirements, eligible costs, and payment schedule. The convention must be signed by both parties before the project starts.
Project kick-off and reporting
Execute your PoC project according to the approved plan and timeline. Submit interim progress reports at agreed milestones and a comprehensive final report at project completion. Keep all invoices, timesheets, and proof of payment organised. Innoviris releases funding tranches after validating each report.
5 tips for a winning PoC application
Be specific about what you are testing
The strongest PoC applications define exactly what hypothesis or technical question the project will answer. Instead of "we will develop an AI solution," write "we will test whether our NLP model can accurately classify regulatory documents in three languages with at least 90% precision." Specificity signals maturity.
Show you understand the state of the art
Demonstrate that you know what already exists and why your approach is different. Reference specific competing solutions, academic papers, or industry benchmarks. Evaluators need to see that your project fills a real gap, not that you are unaware of existing work.
Build a credible team for the project scope
Every team member listed should have a clear role in the PoC. If you lack specific scientific or technical expertise, consider partnering with a Brussels research institution. Innoviris values collaborative projects and multidisciplinary teams.
Make your budget match your methodology
Each budget line should connect directly to a project activity described in your methodology. If you claim €30,000 for user testing, explain how many users, which methods, and what deliverables. Unjustified costs are the easiest reason for budget cuts during evaluation.
Align with Brussels innovation priorities
Innoviris gives preference to projects that align with regional strategic priorities: digital transformation, circular economy, health innovation, sustainable urban development, and social innovation. Reference these priorities explicitly and show how your PoC contributes to them.
Common mistakes to avoid
Applying with a non-Brussels entity
Innoviris exclusively funds organisations with a registered office or substantial operational presence in the Brussels-Capital Region. A company registered in Flanders or Wallonia cannot apply, even if the research targets Brussels-based users or problems.
Confusing PoC with product development
Proof of Concept is about testing whether something can work, not about building a finished product. Applications that describe full product development roadmaps are rejected because they exceed the PoC scope. Focus on validation, not launch.
Starting project activities before approval
Innoviris requires that no project work has begun before the grant convention is signed. Costs incurred before the official start date are ineligible. Even preparatory technical work can disqualify your application if it overlaps with the proposed project scope.
Submitting without a valorisation plan
Many applicants focus entirely on the technical description and neglect the commercialisation or societal impact plan. Innoviris funds proof of concept as a step toward real-world application — they need to see that you have a credible plan for what comes after the PoC.
Frequently asked questions about Innoviris Proof of Concept
How much does Innoviris Proof of Concept fund?
Innoviris PoC grants cover up to €100,000 of eligible project costs. The funding rate depends on your organisation type: SMEs typically receive 50–70% of eligible costs. The maximum project duration is 18 months.
Can a pre-revenue startup apply for Innoviris PoC?
Yes. Innoviris PoC is designed specifically for early-stage innovation. Pre-revenue startups are eligible as long as they have a registered company in Brussels and can demonstrate a viable innovation concept with scientific or technological novelty.
What is the difference between Proof of Concept and Proof of Business?
Proof of Concept tests whether an innovation can work technically. Proof of Business tests whether a validated innovation can succeed commercially. If your technology is unproven, start with PoC. If your technology works but you need to validate the market, apply for Proof of Business.
How long does the Innoviris PoC evaluation take?
After submission, the scientific jury evaluation typically takes 8 to 10 weeks. Including administrative checks and convention signing, the total timeline from submission to project kick-off is usually 3 to 4 months.
Can I combine Innoviris PoC with other grants?
Yes, but you must declare all public funding sources. Belgian and EU state aid rules cap the total aid intensity. The de minimis regulation limits total state aid to €300,000 over three fiscal years for most programs. Innoviris will verify cumulation during evaluation.
Ready to apply for Innoviris Proof of Concept?
Ask Lucas about Innoviris PoC programs or check your eligibility with our quick quiz.