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‘Kainotomo in Crete’ – 75% grants for new innovative micro and small businesses

ESPA 2021-2027 · Regional Programme ‘Crete 2021-2027’ (ERDF) – Action 1.1.2.1

ΕΥΔ Προγράμματος «Κρήτη» – Περιφέρεια Κρήτης, με ενδιάμεσο φορέα ΕΦΕΠΑΕ / Αναπτυξιακή Κρήτης (Managing Authority of the Crete Programme; intermediate body EFEPAE / Development Agency of Crete)

In plain words

A 75% grant for new innovative micro and small businesses in Crete — either about to be set up or started since 1 January 2021. Plans of €30,000–€150,000, so grants of €22,500–€112,500. Your product or service must be demonstrably innovative and fit Crete’s priority sectors.

Who can apply

Category 1: businesses being set up (articles of association signed by all partners; tax registration after applying). Category 2: micro or small businesses registered with the tax office from 01/01/2021 until before applying, already with premises in Crete. Start-ups and spin-offs can apply.

What it pays for

Equipment (production and digital), small fit-out works (up to €15,000), consultancy and cloud/SaaS services (up to 40% of the plan), software (up to 50%), promotion, trade fairs and a new website (up to 15%), patents (up to €10,000) and a flat 7% for indirect costs (limits as in the official pre-publication).

What must be true for you

Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.

  • Micro or small business (under 50 staff) — being set up or started on/after 01/01/2021.
  • An innovative product or service in a Crete RIS3 sector: tourism-culture-creative, agri-food, environment-circular economy, health-pharma, energy, digital technologies.
  • Investment at a single location in Crete; all costs incurred in Crete, and Category 2 must already have premises there.
  • Proof you can cover at least 25% of the cost (own funds or loans).
  • An eligible activity code (call annex) by the first payment request at the latest.
  • De minimis: no more than €300,000 of state aid per business over 3 years.

How to apply

  1. Read the call and see which category you fall into (being set up, or started since 1/1/2021).
  2. Write the business plan: what is innovative, which RIS3 sector, and the cost (€30,000–€150,000).
  3. Collect quotes, proof covering 25% of the funding and, if not yet founded, the signed draft articles of association.
  4. Submit on OPSKE (app.opske.gr) with TAXISnet credentials by 30/11/2026, 15:00.
  5. After ranking, if approved you have up to 24 months to implement; new companies register with the tax office after applying.
  6. Questions: Development Agency of Crete, tel. +30 2810 302400, info@ank.gr.

Where to apply: ΟΠΣΚΕ – Ολοκληρωμένο Πληροφοριακό Σύστημα Κρατικών Ενισχύσεων (app.opske.gr)

Deadline

Submit on OPSKE from 29/09/2026 (13:00) until Monday 30/11/2026, 15:00. Applications are ranked after the deadline.

Sources we read

Research notes: Call CRETE_1.1.2.1 (OPS ID 24787, edition 1, Heraklion, July 2026; posted 24/07/2026), pre-published 12/05/2026; no amendments or extensions listed as of 17/10/2026. Budget split: €1m Category 1 (being set up), €1.5m Category 2 (existing since 1/1/2021), transferable. Aid 75% under de minimis (Reg. 2023/2831). Amounts computed as 75% of the €30,000 minimum and €150,000 maximum plan. The EFEPAE action page shows ‘40%/60%’ next to the categories — that is the budget split, not the aid rate. Expense caps come from the official pre-publication because section 6.2 of the published call could not be read in full; check the call before budgeting. Stage ‘new’ = being set up or started on/after 01/01/2021 (under about 6 years old).

See also