Innobooster – Innovation Fund Denmark

Enriched government · Found: 2026-04-20 20:43

Grant for startups and SMEs to develop new knowledge and realize business ideas. Multiple pools per year. Danish-focused innovation funding.

Source: https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/p/innobooster

Funding Details

Funder

Innovation Fund Denmark

Funding Goal

Supports knowledge-based development projects in Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including entrepreneurial companies. The grant reduces the extraordinary risk companies assume when initiating innovative R&D projects. Projects must develop an innovative solution (new product, service or process) with potential to strengthen company growth and create value for Danish society. Focus areas include green technology and innovation, life science/health/welfare technology, critical and digital technologies, and defence technology.

Funding Amount

DKK 200,000 to DKK 5 million per project; co-financing maximum 35% of total project costs. Annual budget distributed across four themes: 29% green technology & innovation, 33% life science/health/welfare, 29% critical & digital technologies, 9% defence technology.

Deadline

Periodic — Spring 2026: Period 2 closes 13 May 2026; Period 3: 27 May–6 August 2026; Autumn 2026: Period 4: 20 August–15 October 2026 (periodic)

How to Apply

Applications via the electronic system e-grant (www.e-grant.dk). Must register as a user with username/password or MitID. Applications submitted within the relevant period compete in that pool. Processing begins on submission. Budget must be finalised before submission.

Target Region

Denmark only — applicants must have Danish CVR number

Contact

kontakt@innofond.dk | +45 61 90 50 00 | Aarhus: Kalkværksvej 16, 7, 8000 Aarhus C | Copenhagen: Haifagade 3, 2150 Nordhavn

Last Checked

2026-04-21 01:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a Danish-registered SME with CVR number (not an NGO or non-profit)
• Must meet EU SME size criteria: under 250 employees AND under EUR 50M turnover or EUR 43M balance sheet
• Must demonstrate financial readiness: DKK 100,000 risk capital raised in last 3 years OR DKK 250,000 gross profit in at least one of last 3 years

Project Scope

• Project must fall within one of the four 2026 themes: green technology, life science, critical/digital technologies, or defence tech
• Solution must not yet be market-ready; no funding for sales, marketing, or routine operations

Required Documents

• Application submitted via e-grant system within a specific application period
• Budget must include itemised employee hours and expenses; equipment invoices must be minimum DKK 10,000 each

Constraints

• Maximum co-funding: 35% of total project costs (company covers remaining 65%)
• Project duration: maximum 24 months

Summary

Innobooster is Innovation Fund Denmark's main programme for supporting knowledge-based innovation in Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-up companies. The programme aims to strengthen competitiveness, stimulate growth, and create value for Danish society by reducing the extraordinary financial risk companies assume when initiating innovative R&D projects. Thematically, Innobooster operates within four politically defined priority areas in 2026: green technology and innovation (29% of budget), life science, health and welfare technology (33%), critical and digital technologies (29%), and defence technology/Defence Tech Denmark (9%). The green technology theme is most relevant to environmental innovation including circular economy, environmental technology, and clean tech. Eligible activities include knowledge-based development of innovative products, services, or process innovations that are not yet market-ready. The grant co-finances employee hours (existing and new), collaboration with knowledge suppliers (universities, GTS institutes, private knowledge companies), and equipment purchases. It does not fund marketing, sales, routine operations, or market-ready solutions. Geographic scope is Denmark-only. All applicants must be Danish-registered companies (CVR number). Eligible organisations are strictly private-sector SMEs meeting EU size thresholds (under 250 employees, under EUR 50 million turnover or EUR 43 million balance sheet) and satisfying financial criteria demonstrating investment readiness. NGOs, membership organisations, and non-profit entities are not eligible as lead applicants. Funding ranges from DKK 200,000 to DKK 5 million per project, covering a maximum of 35% of total project costs. Projects run up to 24 months. The programme operates with multiple annual application periods; in 2026 periods run from January through October. Applications are submitted via the e-grant electronic system and assessed on a competitive basis within each period.

Historical Context

Annual rolling program with budget distributed across multiple application periods per year. In 2026, periods 1 and 2 have combined budget of approximately DKK 157.8 million. Success rates in 2026 periods 1-3 were 9-43% depending on theme. Unused funds carry over between periods.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #281: Innovationsfonden

Sources

• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/p/innobooster

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