TilskudTjek
What are grants — and what are they not?
Grants are direct financial support from public programs. You apply with a concrete project. The application is evaluated. If you meet requirements and score well, you receive funding for part of project costs.
This is one of the three value layers covered by TilskudTjek. The other two are tax deductions (money retained through lower tax) and support rights (funding you can already access).
What most companies misunderstand about grants
"It is only for tech startups." Incorrect. Several programs are designed for established SMEs in traditional industries.
"The amounts are too small to matter." Combining grants + tax deductions + skills funds can quickly reach six figures.
"The process is too complex." That is exactly what the report structures for you: research and preparation.
Overview: All grant programs
Here are the core grant programs for Danish businesses, compared across key dimensions.
| Program | Amount | Co-financing | Who | Complexity | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200k – 5M kr. | 65% | SMEs with innovation projects | 🔴 High | 6-8 weeks | |
| 50k – 100k kr. | 50% | SMEs wanting digitalization | 🟢 Low | 2-4 weeks | |
| Up to DKK 150k | Varies | SMEs with green transition | 🟡 Medium | 3-6 weeks | |
| Varies | Varies | Established SMEs | 🟡 Medium | Via business houses | |
| 5 – 40M+ kr. | Varies | Consortia | 🔴 Very high | 3-6 months | |
| Up to DKK 8M | Varies | International R&D collaborations | 🔴 High | 2-4 months | |
| 10k – 100k kr. | Varies | Varies by region | 🟢 Low | 1-4 weeks |
Want to know which of these programs are relevant for you?
Our free CVR scan matches your company against all programs — and shows excluded options with rationale.
Start free scan →Innobooster (Innovation Fund Denmark)
Denmark's largest grant program for innovative SMEs
Up to 35% coverage of costs for innovative development projects — from prototype to market-ready solution.
What Innobooster covers
Innobooster is the Innovation Fund's flagship program for SMEs. The program covers up to 35% of costs for an innovative development project. Funds may be used for:
- Salary for own employees — fixed rate of DKK 750 per hour
- Purchase of external knowledge providers — consultants, researchers, specialists
- Materials and equipment — prototype materials, test equipment, software licenses
Eligibility requirements — check these BEFORE spending time
If you do not meet all these requirements, you will be rejected administratively — regardless of project quality.
The four political themes (2026)
CO2 reduction, circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable construction and renewable energy.
Medical devices, digital health, diagnostics and patient improvements.
AI, quantum, robotics, cyber security and strategic technologies.
Dual-use technologies, drones, cyber security and logistics solutions.
Top 5 reasons for rejection
Innobooster supports R&D, not normal operations or standard marketing.
The project must include real technical uncertainty and new knowledge.
If project-theme fit is forced, rejection risk increases.
Team and suppliers must match technical project complexity.
Business and societal impact must be clear and realistic.
Application process step by step
Create profile on e-grant.dk
Use MitID Erhverv. Do this now — not the day before the deadline. Time: 15 minutes.
Find 'IF - Innobooster' in e-grant
Choose either under de minimis (DKK 200k-1M) or under the block exemption regulation (DKK 1M-5M).
Download official templates
Activity plan (Word) and budget template (Excel). Both found inside the e-grant system.
Write project description
Focus on novelty, technical risk, market potential and team. Write in Word/Google Docs first — not directly in the portal.
Complete budget
Remember: max DKK 750/hour for own employees, min. 65% self-financing. Verify budget and project description align.
Prepare attachments
Completed activity plan, budget, visual A4 page (recommended), video pitch (optional), CVs for key persons, latest annual report.
Submit via e-grant
Upload all attachments. Click 'Submit' by 12:00 on the closing date.
Evaluation (6-8 weeks)
You may be invited to pitch (applications above DKK 1M). Prepare a 10-min presentation and Q&A.
Want to know if Innobooster fits your project?
Our free CVR scan checks your company against Innobooster eligibility and relevance.
Scan your CVR for free →SMV:Digital (Danish Business Authority)
Digitalization voucher for SMEs — the easiest grant program
A voucher to buy external advisory on digitalization. Simpler application, lower amounts, faster process.
What SMV:Digital covers
SMV:Digital is the simplest grant program for Danish businesses. You receive a voucher to buy external advisory on digitalization of your business processes. The program is run by the Danish Business Authority via the local business houses.
There are two voucher levels:
- The small voucher (DKK 50,000): For smaller digitalization projects. Lower entry requirements.
- The large voucher (DKK 100,000): Requires at least DKK 2M in revenue and minimum 3 full-time employees.
In both cases you must co-finance 1:1 — for every DKK you receive, you contribute one yourself. Your co-financing can consist of own hours (calculated at DKK 365/hour) or cash payment.
Eligibility requirements
Mandatory market scan
Before choosing a consultant, you must conduct a documented market scan of at least 2 suppliers. This is a legal requirement. If you skip it, you risk losing the entire grant in a subsequent audit.
Search in advisor database
Find approved advisors matching your needs.
Collect at least 2 offers
Document both offers
Document your choice
Explain why you selected the supplier.
Is SMV:Digital relevant for you?
CVR scan checks whether you meet revenue and employee requirements.
Scan your CVR for free →SMV:Grøn (Business Program)
Grants for green transition for SMEs
Support for companies that want to reduce CO2, save energy or transition to circular economy.
SMV:Grøn is part of the broader Business Program and helps Danish SMEs with the green transition. The program is particularly relevant for manufacturers, tradespeople, transport companies and others with physical production.
What it covers
- External advisory on CO2 reduction and energy optimization
- Climate Compass analysis (baseline for your CO2 footprint)
- Transition plans for circular economy
- LCA/EPD calculations on materials and products
Green Competencies — related scheme
In addition to the SMV:Grøn grant, your employees can receive green continuing education via Green Competencies. The scheme typically requires a co-payment of approx. DKK 9,000 and min. 140 hours of participation. Apply via OnlineLegat.
Note that Green Competencies is technically a support scheme, not a grant — but it combines naturally with SMV:Grøn.
Business Program (Danish Business Authority)
Growth program for established SMEs
Structured growth programs with advisory, mentoring and networking — designed for companies past the startup phase.
The Business Program is an umbrella scheme under the Danish Business Authority covering several sub-tracks — including SMV:Digital and SMV:Grøn (described separately above) as well as broader growth programs.
The program is particularly relevant for established companies in traditional industries that want to grow systematically. Unlike Innobooster, it does not require technical innovation — it requires a concrete growth plan.
What you typically get
- Access to structured programs via the regional business houses
- Mentoring with experienced business developers
- Networking with other growth companies
- Possible grants for external advisory
- Help with export support and growth plans
Grand Solutions (Innovation Fund)
Large collaboration projects with research partners
The Innovation Fund's largest program — but only for consortia with universities, GTS institutes or equivalent.
Grand Solutions is the Innovation Fund's flagship for large, ambitious collaboration projects. The amounts are massive — but requirements are correspondingly high.
Grand Solutions may be relevant if you already have an established collaboration with a university or research institute and wish to scale this into an ambitious joint project.
Eurostars / EUREKA
International R&D collaborations
EU co-financed programs for companies wanting to collaborate on R&D with partners in other European countries.
Eurostars and EUREKA are international programs supporting cross-border R&D collaborations. Your company must collaborate with at least one partner in another Eurostars country.
The program is relevant for companies that:
- Already have international collaboration partners
- Work with technology requiring specialization from other countries
- Want to combine Danish and international expertise in a joint R&D project
For most Danish SMEs, Innobooster is a better starting point. Eurostars makes sense as a next step after a successful Innobooster grant.
Regional schemes
Local pools and business house programs
Smaller grants and programs that vary from region to region. Often the best entry point for companies that have never applied for support.
In addition to national programs, each region and many municipalities have their own grant pools. These are typically smaller (DKK 10,000-100,000) but have lower entry barriers and faster processing.
The local business houses are your best entry point:
- Erhvervshus Hovedstaden — Greater Copenhagen and Bornholm
- Erhvervshus Sjælland — Region Zealand
- Erhvervshus Fyn — Funen and islands
- Erhvervshus Midtjylland — Central Denmark Region
- Erhvervshus Nordjylland — North Denmark Region
- Erhvervshus Sydjylland — Southern Denmark Region
Do grants fit your company?
Check what applies to your company. We show potentially relevant programs — indicative only.
Quick screening
Check statements that apply to your company:
Your preliminary result
Check items above to see which programs may be relevant.
This screening is indicative. Full CVR scan matches 50+ schemes incl. deductions and support rights.
De minimis rule — the hidden cap
The de minimis rule is an EU requirement that sets a cap of EUR 300,000 (approx. DKK 2.2M) in total state aid over a rolling 3-year period. Many grant programs fall under this rule.
What counts?
- Aid from SMV:Digital, Innobooster (under de minimis), regional schemes
- Covid-19 compensation schemes
- Business-house support and advisory tracks
- Other public grants from state, region or municipality
What does NOT count?
- Innobooster grants under the block exemption regulation (above DKK 1M)
- Grand Solutions and other EU programs with separate rules
- Tax deductions (R&D deductions are not state aid)
- Skills funds (private funds, not state aid)
Liquidity and cash flow — what most teams miss
Here is something most grant guides fail to mention: grants are reimbursed afterwards. You pay first, and the fund reimburses later. This has real consequences for your liquidity.
Example: Innobooster project of DKK 1,000,000
| Quarter | Your costs | Innobooster refund | Net cash-flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 250.000 kr. | 0 kr. | -250.000 kr. |
| Q2 | 250.000 kr. | 87.500 kr. (Q1) | -162.500 kr. |
| Q3 | 250.000 kr. | 87.500 kr. | -162.500 kr. |
| Q4 | 250.000 kr. | 87.500 kr. | -162.500 kr. |
| Q5 (after project) | 0 kr. | 87.500 kr. (final) | +87.500 kr. |
Consequence: You need approx. DKK 250,000 in free liquidity to start the project — even though Innobooster covers DKK 350,000 over the entire period. Without this liquidity, you cannot use the grant.
Frequently asked questions about grants
Grants do not require repayment (with documentation obligations). Loans must be repaid with interest.
Yes, but you must comply with de minimis cap and avoid double-funding of identical costs.
With proper documentation and transparent reporting, repayment is typically not the default.
Generally yes. Specific tax effect should be reviewed with your accountant.
Some programs require company form, others may accept sole proprietorships.
Typical: 2-8 weeks for smaller programs, longer for large consortium programs.
Grants = direct support. Deductions = lower tax. Support rights = access rights you can activate.
TilskudTjek provides unified scanning, prioritization, rationale, templates and next actions.
Grants are only one of three layers
Most companies focus only on grants and miss deductions and support rights.
Find which grants are relevant for your company
Free CVR scan in 30 seconds. See relevant programs, estimated potential — and schemes we exclude with rationale.
Disclaimer: This guide is produced by TilskudTjek as general guidance. Programs, amounts, deadlines and requirements can change. Always verify official sources before applying. TilskudTjek does not provide tax advice. A CVR-match is a qualified indication — not a grant guarantee.