Overview
This incentive scheme aims to support business capacity-building operations focused on the qualification and digitalisation of business model , through the use of intangible competitiveness factors.
This call places a strong emphasis on operations aimed at producing tradable and internationalisable goods and services, within broader production chains and value chains that generate higher added value. Supported investments should contribute to strengthening the export orientation and external competitiveness of the Portuguese economy.
Beneficiaries and Geographical Scope
Nature and Aid Intensity
Período de Candidaturas
Applicable Legislation
Eligible Expenditure
The following costs are eligible, provided they are directly related to the implementation of the operation:
- Equipment costs required for the adoption of new organisational methods, including software, provided that such equipment is used exclusively within the beneficiary’s establishment and during the execution of the operation;
- Salary costs related to the recruitment of qualified human resources, including base salary and mandatory social security contributions borne by the employer;
- Specialised consultancy services provided by external consultants, provided that such services are not continuous or periodic in nature and are not related to the normal operation of the beneficiary, including:
- Costs related to the intervention of certified accountants or statutory auditors for the validation of expenditure in payment requests;
- Costs associated with the certification of products, processes or services;
- Costs related to the design and registration of new brands;
- Costs associated with the hosting and subscription of applications, access to electronic platforms, or inclusion in directories and search engines;
- Costs related to the acquisition, validation and protection of patents and other industrial property rights.
Eligible Actions
Support may be granted to SME operations aimed at qualifying and digitalising business models through the adoption of more advanced business strategies and the strengthening of integration into global value chains, across the following intangible competitiveness domains:
Organisational Innovation, Management and Logistics Introduction of new methods or philosophies of work organisation, strengthening of management capabilities, implementation of information systems applied to new distribution and logistics models, studies and projects, layout redesign and improvements, benchmarking actions, diagnostics and planning.
Digitalisation and Digital Transformation, including Cybersecurity and Data Protection - Creation and/or adaptation of business models through the adoption of digital practices, including process automation, investment in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, tools and techniques for collecting, processing and analysing large volumes of data, digital transformation initiatives, and solutions to ensure data security and to detect and respond to cyber threats.
Brand Creation and Design
- Design and registration of brands, development of new innovative product collections in terms of image and incorporation of sustainable materials, and enhancement of design capabilities, excluding periodic, cyclical or seasonal changes.
Capacity-Building for Product, Service and Process Development - Strengthening capabilities for the development of products, processes and services, including the creation or reinforcement of laboratory capacities, excluding product quality testing, prototypes and proof-of-concept activities.
- Industrial Property Protection - Registration of patents, inventions, utility models, and industrial designs or models.
- Quality and Certification - Initial certification under the Portuguese Quality System (SPQ) or international certification systems, quality management systems, or other management systems not covered under other categories and relevant to the quality of products, services or management processes.
- Knowledge and Technology Transfer -
Acquisition of consultancy and technical assistance services in the fields of knowledge transfer and certification of research, development and innovation management systems.
- Sustainability and Eco-Innovation -
Integration of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles into business practices, promoting innovative management methods through the adoption of environmental, social and corporate governance practices.