3.9 Start-up funding for young entrepreneurs
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Address
Instituto de la Juventud de España
Spanish Institute for Youth
C/ José Ortega y Gasset 71
ES-28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 917 827 602
E-Mail:
Website
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Access to information
The General Secretariat of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, belonging to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Ministerio de Industria y Turismo), provides a search engine for aid and incentives aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in creating companies (buscador de ayudas e incentivos a la creación de empresas). This tool facilitates access to various funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and tax incentives, to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
The National Innovation Enterprise (Empresa Nacional de Innovación, ENISA), under the same Ministry, provides young entrepreneurs with information on available funding lines within the innovation sector, outlining application requirements and terms for accessing funding. ENISA plays a key role in fostering start-up innovation through low-interest loans and other financial instruments.
In 2021, ENISA launched an initiative that focuses on supporting young entrepreneurs in green and digital technologies, aligning with Spain’s green transition and digital transformation objectives. This initiative provides funding and mentorship to entrepreneurs developing sustainable technologies
The Business Information and Network Creation Centre (Centro de Información y Red de creación de empresas (CIRCE)) offers Helpdesks for Entrepreneurs (Puntos de Atención al Emprendedor, PAE), including guidance on business creation, administrative procedures, and regulatory compliance. This service helps simplify the complex process of starting a business in Spain.
Access to capital
The Action Plan 2022-2024 of the Youth Strategy 2030 includes the annual National Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, which is managed by the Spanish Youth Institute. This competition provides young entrepreneurs with financial prizes, mentorship, and visibility for innovative and viable business projects, helping them bring their ideas to market.
The Youth Guarantee Plus 2021-2027 Plan continues to support young entrepreneurs through microcredit schemes, allowing access to financing without need for collateral. The programme also includes guidance and counselling support after receiving the loan to ensure the long-term success of youth-led ventures.
The State Public Employment Service (SEPE) has an online space that provides information on the different incentives and aid aimed at entrepreneurs and the self-employed.
At regional level, Spain has launches various financial aid programmes for young entrepreneurs, including:
- Innovactive Programme of Andalucia (Programa Innovactiva de la Junta de Andalucía): Provides financial support and mentoring for young entrepreneurs in innovative sectors.
- Entrepreneurship Programmes of the Canary Islands Government (Programas y entidades de apoyo a la creación de empresas del Gobierno de Canarias): Offer financial and technical assistance for young people starting businesses in the region.
- Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Platform of the Government of Aragon (Plataforma de Emprendimiento y trabajo autónomo del Gobierno de Aragón): supports youth in creating their own enterprises through guidance and funding.
Aid for business start-ups for young farmers in the Principality of Asturias (Ayudas a la creación de empresas para jóvenes agricultores, Principado de Asturias): supports young farmers with financing and training for agricultural ventures