Grants for Businesses in Wallonia
Wallonia has a comprehensive business support ecosystem: SPW (Economy, Employment, Research), Sowalfin for financing, AWEX for export, and Wallonie Entreprendre for coaching. BelGrant helps you find the right programmes.
Find my Walloon grantsThe Walloon grant ecosystem
The Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) — Economy, Employment, Research — is the central body for business support in Wallonia. It manages the chèques-entreprises (training, advisory, energy), investment aid, and research programmes. Sowalfin provides guarantees and subordinated loans, while AWEX supports companies with their international ambitions.
Whether you’re a startup, an industrial SME, or a self-employed professional, Wallonia offers grants ranging from a few thousand euros (chèques-entreprises) to over one million euros (Sowalfin guarantees). Wallonie Entreprendre complements the offer with direct loans and coaching. BelGrant helps you identify the programmes you qualify for in 30 seconds.
Key programmes
SPW Chèques-Entreprises
Modular voucher system covering training, consultancy, business creation, energy, and cybersecurity. Intervention of 50% to 75% depending on voucher type.
Up to €75,000
SMEs and self-employed in Wallonia
AWEX export support
Internationalisation support: market prospection, trade fair participation, economic missions, and export project financing.
Variable
Walloon exporting companies
Sowalfin guarantees
Bank guarantees and subordinated loans to facilitate credit access for Walloon SMEs with financial institutions.
Up to €1,500,000
Walloon SMEs with a financing project
SME Training Plan
Training support for SMEs: funding for staff training, internships, and skills development tailored to business needs.
Up to €40,000
Walloon SMEs with a training plan
Who qualifies?
Registered in Wallonia
Your company must have its registered office or an operating unit in the Walloon Region.
SME or self-employed
Most programmes target SMEs (< 250 employees) and self-employed professionals, with higher support rates for smaller businesses.
No outstanding debts
No outstanding social (ONSS) or tax debts. Companies must be in good standing with their legal obligations.
Eligible project
The project must fit the programme scope: training, advisory, export, investment, innovation, or financing.
Priority sectors in Wallonia
Biotech & Pharma
Wallonia is a top European cluster for biotech and pharma, with dedicated support programmes via BioWin and SPW.
Aerospace
The Skywin cluster supports the Walloon aerospace sector with R&D grants and international collaboration funding.
Green economy
Support programmes for sustainable transition, circular economy, and renewable energy via SPW and GreenWin.
Digital technology
Infopole Cluster TIC and SPW support digitalisation, cybersecurity, and tech innovation in Walloon businesses.
How to apply
Check your eligibility
Use the BelGrant quiz or the SPW/AWEX website to verify whether your company and project qualify.
Prepare your dossier
Gather your project plan, budget, KBO number, and company documents. Lucas can guide you through this.
Submit your application
Chèques-entreprises are applied for online via the SPW portal. AWEX and Sowalfin each have their own procedures.
Await evaluation
Timelines vary: chèques-entreprises in 2–4 weeks, investment aid in 2–4 months, R&D projects up to 6 months.
Explore other grants in Belgium
Frequently asked questions
How do chèques-entreprises work?
Chèques-entreprises are a modular system managed by SPW. You choose a voucher type (training, consultancy, creation, energy, cybersecurity), select an approved provider, and submit your application online. The intervention covers 50% to 75% of the cost.
What is the difference between Sowalfin and Wallonie Entreprendre?
Sowalfin mainly offers bank guarantees and subordinated loans to facilitate credit access. Wallonie Entreprendre focuses more on coaching and offers direct loans to startups and growing SMEs, with personalised guidance.
Can I combine Walloon grants with federal or EU funding?
Yes, within the maximum aid intensity allowed by European regulations. You can combine chèques-entreprises with federal grants or Horizon Europe programmes, provided you declare all public funding received.
Does SPW only support industrial companies?
No. SPW supports all eligible sectors: industry, services, trade, crafts, liberal professions, and social economy. Chèques-entreprises are open to virtually all sectors.
Find your Walloon grants
Take our quiz or chat with Lucas to discover the grants your Walloon business qualifies for.