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Support Measures & Other Services
Business Start
Business Start provides early seed funding for small start-ups that have an economically feasible business concept to further develop their business proposal prior to seeking further funding or third-party equity. Eligible startups may receive an initial grant of up to € 10,000 following an evaluation of their business concept.
Micro Invest
The scheme encourages undertakings, including Start-ups, family businesses and self-employed, to invest in their business, so as to innovate, expand and develop their operations. Undertakings benefitting from this measure will be supported through a tax credit calculated as a percentage of eligible expenditure, which also covers increased in wage costs.
Start-up Finance
Start-up Finance aims to support Small Start-up Undertakings demonstrating viable business concepts and commitment to expanding economic activity in Malta, offering assistance starting from € 500,000.
Business Development Scheme
The Business Development Scheme aims to support value-added projects contributing to the regional development of Malta, including new business initiatives, startups, expansions, and transformation activities. Supported projects are expected to generate new business opportunities, skilled employment, increased competitiveness, or expanded market reach, with a maximum support of €300,000 per Single Undertaking over 3 years covering up to 75% of eligible costs.
Research & Development
The aim of this incentive is to support industry in undertaking Industrial Research and Experimental Development (R&D) activities. R&D projects should address scientific or technological uncertainties, and the knowledge acquired through the research is expected to lead towards the development of innovative products and solutions. This support measure also encourages cooperation between organisations by providing additional assistance for collaborative research projects.
Skills Development
Businesses are encouraged to invest in their employees by providing skills and training to have a knowledge-based workforce. Through the Skills Development scheme business undertakings may be supported to provide training with the scope of developing and updating the skills and knowledge of their workforce thus aiding them to perform more effectively. The training provided shall upgrade existing skills of employees, address skills shortages, facilitate re-skilling, tackle skill gaps and strive towards developing a knowledge-based workforce.
Business Reports for SMEs
This Grant Scheme seeks to support SMEs through the provision of non-repayable Grants in the form of a lump sum to part-finance a business report procured from external Consultancy Service Providers which are registered with the IB and which are autonomous and unrelated to the Beneficiary Undertaking.
SME Guarantee Scheme
The SME Guarantee Scheme (SGS) helps businesses, including startups, get financing to grow. MDB provides an 80% guarantee on the loan amount (between €10,000 and €1,000,000, with a maximum term of 10 years) to commercial banks. This means SMEs can benefit from lower interest rates, lower upfront contributions, and reduced collateral requirements.
Further Studies Made Affordable Plus (FSMA+)
FSMA+ seeks to support students in pursuing higher level of studies at internationally recognised institutions by facilitating access to more affordable financing. The maximum size of eligible loans guaranteed under the facility is €100,000, with a maximum loan term of up to 15 years, including the moratorium period. No minimum loan size is applicable.
Business Plan Voucher
The Business Plan Voucher supports researchers with approved applied research grants (TRL 5+) in developing strategic business plans. Offering up to €12,000 in funding (90% reimbursement), it helps transform prototypes into market-ready ventures. This initiative strengthens Malta’s innovation ecosystem by bridging research and commercialization.
R&I Programmes
The Research & Innovation Unit (R&I) manages three national funding streams by way of direct implementation support to the National R&I Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027: FUSION, Thematic Programmes and the Research Networking Scheme.
Internationalisation
The Internationalisation Unit supports Malta-based scientific-research expert stakeholders to actively engage in transnational R&I projects by developing, managing or facilitating their participation in various bilateral, regional and international funding programmes.
Intellectual Property Registration (IPR) Voucher
The IPR Voucher helps inventors protect their creations by funding national, EU, and international IP registration. It supports trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, and trade secrets, with up to 90% reimbursement. Eligible technologies must be at prototype stage (TRL 5+) and backed by a Xjenza Malta-approved research grant.
Space
Through the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) Agreement, Malta has a five-year framework that provides circa €1.6 million in annual investment, strengthening Malta’s participation in ESA-led projects and fostering innovation.
National Contact Points (NCPs) for EU Framework Programme
The NCPs provide guidance to all Maltese expert stakeholders interested in applying for Horizon Europe funding, which is the EU’s key funding programme for R&I.
Technology Assessment Recognition Framework (TARF)
TARF is a tiered framework designed to provide varying degrees of recognition to a wide range of technologies, from emerging to traditional, aligning with international standards and industry best practices.
Technology Sandbox
A technological sandbox is an innovative concept which provides a safe environment for individuals or companies developing solutions based on Innovative Technologies such as Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence or solutions deployed in critical environments, to enable the correct nurturing of such solutions in line with recognised standards. Alignment in the early phases of deployment proves to be cheaper than rectification in a post-development stage.
Cyber Security Certification
EU Cybersecurity Certification schemes offer a structured and trusted framework for validating the security posture of ICT products and services. By aligning with recognised European standards from the outset, vendors and service providers can streamline compliance efforts, reduce long-term costs, and enhance market credibility. These certifications act as a strategic enabler, fostering trust and interoperability across the EU Digital Single Market.
The Digital Innovation Hub (DiHubMT) is dedicated to nurturing research and innovation, providing comprehensive support services such as Test Before Invest, Digital Entrepreneurship Support, Mentorship, and Advanced Digital Skills Training.
Malta Venture Capital Fund
The Malta Venture Capital Fund Scheme aims to support promising start-up ventures with viable business concepts and a commitment to scaling up, while also encouraging domestic and international investors to participate in Malta’s venture capital ecosystem. The scheme provides support through equity shareholding of up to €500,000 per start-up and will continue indefinitely until the allocated budget of €10m is fully utilised and/or as further funding may be provided to the Malta VC fund.
