Innobooster 2026 – Innovation Fund Denmark (SME Innovation Funding Programme)

The Innobooster Programme, administered by Innovation Fund Denmark, provides co-financing support for high-risk, knowledge-based innovation projects led by Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including startups. The programme aims to accelerate the development of innovative products, services, or processes that can strengthen company growth while delivering societal impact in Denmark.

Funding Structure

Innobooster offers:

• Funding range: DKK 200,000 – DKK 5 million
• Co-financing rate: Up to 35% of eligible project costs
• Project duration: Up to 24 months
• Funding is structured under:
  • De minimis regulation (DKK 200,000 – 1 million)
  • General Block Exemption Regulation (DKK 1 – 5 million)

Eligible costs include:

• Salaries for new and existing employees (project-specific work)
• Collaboration with knowledge providers (e.g. universities, R&D institutes, consultants)
• Materials, experimental equipment, and equipment depreciation (with minimum thresholds)

Note: Funding does not cover operational costs, marketing, commercialisation activities, or projects already close to market readiness.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility Criteria)

Applicants must:

• Be a Danish-registered SME (CVR number required)
• Meet EU SME definition:
  • < 250 employees
  • ≤ €50 million turnover OR ≤ €43 million balance sheet
• Meet at least one financial criterion:
  • ≥ DKK 100,000 in risk capital or development grants (past 3 years), OR
  • ≥ DKK 250,000 gross profit in one of the last 3 years

Ineligible Applicants

• Companies in bankruptcy, liquidation, or financial distress
• Companies >50% publicly owned
• Companies receiving >50% operational public subsidies

Project Requirements

Projects must:

• Be high-risk, innovation-driven, and knowledge-based
• Focus on development (not commercialisation)
• Deliver a new or significantly improved product, service, or process
• Demonstrate clear commercial potential and societal value

Projects must align with at least one of the following thematic areas:

1. Green Technology & Innovation (e.g. energy, climate, circular economy)
2. Life Science, Health & Welfare Technology
3. Critical & Digital Technologies (e.g. AI, cybersecurity, robotics)
4. Defence & Security Technologies (only in selected funding periods)

What Can Be Funded

Eligible project activities include:

• R&D and experimental development
• Technical validation and prototyping
• Collaboration with specialised knowledge providers
• Acquisition of project-specific equipment and materials

Important Restrictions

• No funding for:
  • Sales, marketing, or scaling activities
  • Routine business operations
  • Costs incurred before project approval
• Only expenses incurred by the applicant company are eligible
• Maximum employee contribution: 135 hours/month per employee

Application Process

• Applications are submitted via the e-grant system
• Applications are assessed based on:
  • Innovation level
  • Commercial potential
  • Project execution quality
  • Team capability
  • Risk and feasibility

Only one application per project can be under evaluation at a time

Call Timeline (2026)

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with defined funding periods:

• Period 1: 22 Jan – 12 Mar 2026
• Period 2: 26 Mar – 13 May 2026
• Period 3: 27 May – 6 Aug 2026
• Period 4: 20 Aug – 15 Oct 2026

Budgets vary per period, and competition levels differ depending on demand and theme allocation.

Key Considerations for Applicants

• Higher funding requests = stricter evaluation criteria
• Budget must be realistic and well-justified
• Projects can be split into smaller phases to reduce risk
• Strong emphasis on innovation impact and feasibility

Click HERE to visit the official website.