SMV:Digital 2026: How to get 50,000–100,000 DKK for digitalization (and avoid empty pools)

The problem: You apply the day after the pool date or in the afternoon. The first 1,000 spots are taken before 12:05. You don't get a chance.

Solution: Set an alarm for 11:55 on pool day. Prepare everything in advance. Submit the second the pool opens — not later.

The problem: You haven't found an approved consultant before the pool date. Without an approved consultant, you can't apply.

Solution: Find an approved consultant BEFORE the pool date. Check the list on thedanishbusinessauthority.dk. Approved consultants know the process and can help you prepare the application.

The problem: You don't have liquidity to cover your 50% share (up to 50,000 DKK). SMV:Digital is paid retroactively — you pay first, get the money afterwards.

Solution: Make sure you have at least 50,000 DKK in free liquidity before you apply. If not, consider starting with a smaller digitalization project or look at SMV:Green (green transition).

The problem: The digitalization analysis is too vague: "We want a new website" or "We need to digitalize our processes". It must show concretely how digitalization improves your business.

Solution: Describe specifically: "Our manual order processing takes 10 hours per week. A digital solution would reduce it to 2 hours, free up 8 hours for sales, and give us an annual saving of 200,000 DKK."

The problem: You choose a consultant who is not approved for SMV:Digital, or who doesn't know the process. It leads to rejection.

Solution: Check the list of approved consultants on thedanishbusinessauthority.dk. Choose one with experience in SMV:Digital who can help you prepare the application.

Yes — but they must cover different activities. SMV:Digital covers digitalization advisory. SMV:Green covers green analyses and transition plans. You could use SMV:Digital for a digitalization analysis and SMV:Green for a green transition plan.

Both count towards your de minimis cap.

Yes — again: different activities. SMV:Digital is for digitalization advisory. Innobooster is for innovation projects with technical uncertainty. You could use SMV:Digital to analyze your digital needs, then apply for Innobooster to develop a new technology based on the analysis.

SMV:Digital counts as de minimis. Innobooster under 1M DKK also counts as de minimis. Both count towards your 300,000 EUR cap.

Yes — and it's one of the most effective combinations. SMV:Digital covers 50% of the consultant's hourly rate. The remaining 50% you pay yourself — and if they qualify as R&D, you can get 110% deduction on them.

SMV:Digital has no fixed date. In 2025, the pools opened Thursday, March 6 and Thursday, September 4 at 12:00. In 2026, the pattern is likely the same: 1–2 pools per year, typically Thursday at 12:00. Always check erhvervsstyrelsen.dk for the latest dates.

Yes — but you must comply with the de minimis cap. If you have received SMV:Digital before, it counts towards your 300,000 EUR de minimis cap. Check your total de minimis usage before applying.

No — you must have a concrete digitalization need and a digitalization analysis. SMV:Digital is not for "testing" ideas. You must have a clear idea of what you want to digitalize and how it improves your business.

No — the funds cover only advisory. You cannot buy software, hardware or licenses with the grant money. You can, however, use the advisory to choose the right software, then buy it yourself with your own funds AFTER the grant is paid out.

Unfortunately, you miss your chance this time. You could consider: (1) apply in the next pool (typically 3–6 months later), (2) look at SMV:Green (green transition) or Innobooster (innovation) — they open at different times, (3) start with a smaller digitalization project without a grant.

Yes — SMV:Digital has no profit requirement. You must, however, have liquidity to cover your 50% share (up to 50,000 DKK). If you don't have liquidity, consider applying for a loan via EIFO or start with a smaller project.