Start-Up Finance Scheme

Malta Enterprise has relaunched the Start-Up Finance Scheme (hereinafter, the ‘Scheme’) intended to support small start-up undertakings that have a viable business concept, to expand and further develop their economic activity. Applications for assistance under this Scheme may be submitted by 30 September 2026.

Definition of start-up undertakings

Start-up undertakings are defined in the Scheme Guidelines as:

i) Unlisted small enterprises up to five years following registration, which meet a set of cumulative conditions laid out in the Scheme guidelines; and which

ii) At time of application, must employ less than 50 full time equivalent employees and have an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total not exceeding Eur10 million.

Where an undertaking has a parent/subsidiary relationship with another undertaking, all entities within the structure must meet the above criteria to be considered a start-up undertaking.

Eligible start-up undertakings

In order to be eligible for support under this Scheme, start-up undertakings shall:

i) Be registered as a limited liability company (or similar organisation with limited liability), established within the European Union and with an operating base in Malta; businesses not yet established may still apply, provided these will be established within a specific timeframe;

ii) Be engaged in one of the following activities:

a. Manufacturing;
b. Software development;
c. Industrial services analogous to manufacturing;
d. Health, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences; or
e. Other innovative economic activities; and

iii) Meet at least two of the following criteria:

a. Propose products or services that have the potential of generating income from various geographical locations;
b. Produce products and/or services which are new or substantially improved compared to complementary products on the market; or
c. Utilise processes which are new or substantially improved compared to those adopted in current complementary activities.

Type of support

The Scheme provides support in the form of a repayable advance, not exceeding Eur500,000, which may be doubled to Eur1,000,000 for innovative start-ups defined in the Scheme Guidelines. Start-ups operating in assisted areas as identified in Annex 1 of the Scheme Guidelines may receive support up to Eur750,000, doubled to Eur1,500,000 for innovative start-ups.

The support may be provided in respect of:

i) Payroll costs;

ii) Procurement of tangible and intangible assets;

iii) Procurement of materials, and of specialised and technical services; and

iv) Support for establishing operations in Malta.

Funding will be disbursed at intervals of not less than three months and would be subject to meeting of set targets.

How can we help?

Deloitte Malta is ready to assist in answering your queries, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any further guidance you may require.

In addition, Deloitte Malta is able to assist with the preparation of the required applications and any supporting documentation, as well as document submission and any required follow-ups.