MIG launches new measure to finance high technology in enterprises

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) has opened a measure for the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. It is part of the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises program and will complement and build on efforts to develop business digitization processes. Its budget is BGN 106 million.

The minimum amount of grant aid under the procedure will be BGN 150,000, and the maximum amount will be up to BGN 850,000, depending on the category of the company and the aid scheme selected. Small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to apply for funding for investments in Industry 4.0 technologies from the higher levels of digitization.

These include the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), digital twins, cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, 3D printing, virtual or augmented reality, etc. Expenditure on improving cybersecurity and data confidentiality in companies and on introducing Industry 4.0 standards will also be eligible.

For the first time under this measure, it will be possible to combine grant aid with a financial instrument – a “Portfolio guarantee with a loss cap for digitization.” It will have a budget of over BGN 90 million and will be administered by the Fund of Funds, while the financial product itself will be offered by selected partner banks.

Applications are open until December 15, 2025.

Translated with DeepL.