Changes in the tariff landscape are forcing many companies to rethink their markets, suppliers and production capacity. To support this transition, the ICO offers ICO Crecimiento Exportadores, a direct financing facility for SMEs that export, import or participate in international value chains. It combines a long-term loan with a potential interest-rate subsidy and a non-repayable component for investment projects.
*Only for investments with a term of more than five years. It is calculated on eligible expenditure and deducted from the final instalments once the project has been substantiated.
Is your business eligible?
- It is a commercial SME with at least 4 years of business activity.
- Its international activity exceeds 5% of turnover, or it is a key supplier to companies in sectors affected by tariffs.
- It has an investment project or working capital requirement of at least €50,000.
What can you finance?
- Productive investment: machinery, capacity expansion, software and R&D.
- Expansion into new markets: market research, trade fairs, ICEX programmes and training.
- Intangible assets such as industrial property.
- Working capital to sustain operations while you adapt.
How can Kaizen help you?
- We assess, with no obligation, whether your company is eligible and what benefits it could obtain.
- We structure the financing to correctly separate investment and working capital.
- We prepare the documentation and submit the application through ICO Online.
- We support you with the supporting documentation to avoid putting the aid at risk.
Check whether your company is eligible
Understanding the non-repayable component
The non-repayable component is one of the main attractions of this facility, but it is not a payment received upon signing. It is calculated on the project’s eligible expenditure and applied to the final loan instalments once the investment has been substantiated. That is why it is important to plan contracting dates, compatibility with other aid and supporting documentation requirements from the outset. At Kaizen Consulting, we assess all of this before submitting the application, so you know exactly what support you can count on.
Does your business fit any of these profiles?
Exporting manufacturer investing in growth
You need to replace machinery or expand capacity. We structure long-term investment financing and assess whether it may qualify for the non-repayable component.
Importer or exporter facing cash-flow pressure
New tariffs have lengthened your collection and payment cycles. We assess medium-term working capital financing to restore financial flexibility.
Supplier to international groups
You do not export directly, but your customers do. We check whether your position in the value chain makes you eligible for the facility.
Company entering new markets
You want to diversify your target markets. We finance market research, trade fairs, ICEX programmes and investment in the intangible assets needed to make it happen.
For guidance only. Approval of financing and the non-repayable component is subject to the ICO’s eligibility and risk assessment and compliance with the facility’s requirements.
