creditbase
Advertise to founders hunting for credits · Rent an ad space →
Programs/Gov. scheme
18 programs · up to $12M in listed value

Government schemes for startups

Government schemes for startups: tax incentives, subsidised loans, credit guarantees and registration benefits. Most need a registered company in the country running the scheme.

Largest: Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet) (Loan covering up to 45% of project costs), Smart&Start Italia (Zero-interest loans up to €1.5M), Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS, §1202) (Exclude up to $15M (or 10× basis) of capital gains). Available in India, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and 4 more.

Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet)

RVO Netherlands
Loan covering up to 45% of project costs

Risk-bearing loan for innovative development projects; repaid only on success.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingNL

Smart&Start Italia

Invitalia
Zero-interest loans up to €1.5M

Interest-free financing covering up to 80% of expenses for innovative startups.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingIT
NEW

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS, §1202)

U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Exclude up to $15M (or 10× basis) of capital gains

Founders and early investors in US C-corps can exclude most or all capital gains on qualifying stock. Stock issued after 4 July 2025 gets 50%/75%/100%…

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesUS

R&D Tax Incentive

Australian Government
Refundable offset of 43.5% for small companies

Cash refund on eligible R&D spend for companies under A$20M turnover.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesAU

SR&ED Tax Credit

Canada Revenue Agency
Up to 35% refundable R&D tax credit

Refundable tax credits on qualifying R&D spend for Canadian-controlled private corporations.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesCA

Crédit d'Impôt Recherche (CIR)

French Government
30% R&D tax credit

One of Europe's most generous R&D tax credits; refundable for young SMEs.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesFR

R&D Tax Relief (merged scheme)

HMRC
Up to ~27% of qualifying R&D spend

Tax credit on qualifying R&D; enhanced support for R&D-intensive loss-making SMEs.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesGB

ENISA Young Entrepreneurs

ENISA (Spain)
Participative loans €25k–€300k, no collateral

Unsecured, founder-friendly loans for Spanish startups.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingES

Finep Startup

Finep
Up to R$1.5M investment

Federal innovation agency investing in technology startups.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingBR

SEIS / EIS Tax Relief

HMRC
Investors get up to 50% income tax relief

Makes raising your first £250k far easier by giving investors generous tax relief.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesGB

WBSO R&D Tax Credit

RVO Netherlands
Payroll tax reduction on R&D wages

Reduces wage tax on R&D hours; startups receive an extra-high rate.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesNL

Start Up Loans

British Business Bank
£500–£25,000 per founder at 7.5% fixed (up to £100k per business)

Government-backed personal loans with 12 months of free mentoring.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingGB

INVEST Grant for Venture Capital

BAFA
Tax-free 15% grant for angel investors

Makes your round more attractive: angels receive a grant on their investment.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesDE

Jeune Entreprise Innovante (JEI)

French Government
Social charge and tax exemptions

Exemption from employer social charges on R&D staff plus tax benefits.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesFR

Competitive Start Fund

Enterprise Ireland
€50,000 equity (up to €100k for some calls)

Early-stage funding for high-potential startups in Ireland.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingIE

DPIIT Startup Recognition & 80-IAC

Startup India
100% income tax deduction for 3 of first 10 years + IPR rebates

Recognition unlocks tax exemption, 80% patent fee rebate, self-certification and public procurement relaxations.

Gov. schemeTax IncentivesIN

Futurpreneur Start-up Program

Futurpreneur Canada
Up to $60,000 CAD loan + 2 years mentoring

Start-up financing and mentorship for young entrepreneurs.

Gov. schemeLoans & FundingCA
NEW

IndiaAI Compute Portal (GPU subsidy)

IndiaAI Mission, MeitY
GPUs at up to 40% lower cost

Subsidised GPU compute (H100, H200, A100, L40S, MI300X and more) through empanelled Indian cloud providers under the IndiaAI Mission.

Gov. schemeGovernment GrantsIN