The call for applications, with 3.7 million euros from European funds, has not been offered since 2018 and is expected to reach more than 300 companies over the next three years
More than fifty SMES in the Balearic Islands have received personalised advice from the Bit Foundation on the new call for applications for aid for business innovation, promoted by the Government and endowed with 3.7 million euros. The initiative, which could benefit more than 300 companies, aims to encourage digitisation, promoting disruptive projects and the creation of innovative clusters.
The aid for innovation in SMES, announced by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Innovation and published on 27 March in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands, has aroused strong interest among the Balearic business community. With a total allocation of 3.7 million euros, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Operational Programme 2021-2027, this call could potentially benefit more than 300 companies and organisations over the next three years.
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The Bit Foundation advises more than 50 SMES on the Government’s new aid for innovation and digitisation
The Bit Foundation, an entity that offers support services for business innovation, has carried out an intense task of dissemination and accompaniment from the time of publication of the call. Through different channels, more than a thousand professionals and potential beneficiary companies have been directly informed. Since then, the Foundation’s technical team has attended to and resolved more than fifty specific queries from SMES interested in applying for the different lines of aid. The areas that have received the most requests for information have been line 3.1, focused on business digitalisation and digital marketing, with 49% of the total number of queries; line 6.1, aimed at innovation projects, with 24%, and line 4.1, focused on disruptive initiatives, with 10%.
The main objective of the aid is to increase the innovation capacity and competitiveness of SMES by financing activities such as digitisation, the development of new products or services, the validation of prototypes, the creation of innovative business clusters (AEI) and the organisation of events linked to innovation. Companies can access these funds through different programmes and specific lines that offer grants of up to 6,000 euros in the case of actions such as digitisation or the organisation of events; up to 15,000 euros for disruptive initiatives; and up to 40,000 euros for the creation of AEIS. In the case of larger innovation projects, funding can be up to 100,000 euros or more, depending on the budget and the intensity of the approved aid.
SMES with tax domicile and work centre in the Balearic Islands, as well as non-profit organisations, professional associations and registered AEIS are eligible to apply, as long as they meet the established requirements. The deadline for submitting applications for the 2025 edition runs from 10 April to 10 May. The periods for the 2026 and 2027 calls are also defined, with deadlines between January and February of each year. It should be noted that companies can only access a maximum of two lines per call and that all projects must be aligned with the objectives of the Balearic Islands RIS3 Smart Specialisation Strategy.
With the advice to SMES in this important call, Bit Foundation is positioned as a reference entity to support innovation, digitisation and business collaboration. Through its services, it offers personalised advice, identification of grants and calls for proposals, support in the research of partners for collaborative projects, actions to accompany internationalisation, training and access to networking spaces.
In 2024, 1,282 companies and start-ups benefited from the Bit Foundation’s support and advisory services
This task has translated into significant results during the last financial year: a total of 1,282 companies benefited from the Bit Foundation’s support and advisory services. Of this figure, 309 companies received basic services as start-ups, 4 accessed advanced services in this same category, 411 SMES were assisted with basic services, and 58 SMES received advanced support. In addition, 480 companies participated in digitalisation actions, and 20 took part in business collaboration networks. In parallel, 41 events were organised, including campuses, information days, training activities, congresses and seminars.
Entities and SMES interested in receiving this aid can resolve any doubts they may have by sending the relevant queries by e-mail, where the different questions will be resolved and personalised advice and support will be provided, if necessary, also with specific meetings.
In addition, to continue to promote the dissemination and knowledge of these grants, on 24 April at the CentreBit Eivissa, the Directorate General for Innovation and Digital Transformation and the Bit Foundation will hold an information session open to the public, as they did on 16 April at the CentreBit Menorca. During the CONFERENCE, the lines of aid included in the call for the period 2025-2027 are presented, and doubts related to the processing and conditions of participation are resolved. Also, the Bit Foundation will actively participate in presenting itself as a public support entity in the preparation and submission of applications, and will present the innovation services offered to companies. Those interested can ask for advice or register for the CONFERENCE by writing to innovacio@fundaciobit.org.
With initiatives such as these, the Bit Foundation reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable, technological and innovative growth of Balearic companies, and contributes directly to strengthening the Regional Ecosystem of Science, Technology and Innovation.