Government funding programs give startups money to develop new technology, usually through grants that don’t require giving up equity, repayable advances, or co-investment alongside private investors. They are among the cheapest forms of capital a startup can get, since most let founders keep full ownership.
This guide compares 13 leading government funding programs for startups in 2026, from the United States’ SBIR program and the European Union’s EIC Accelerator to national schemes in Singapore, Israel, South Korea and more. For each one we show who can apply, what kind of funding it offers, and how much.
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Government Funding Programs Compared
| Program | Country | Type | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBIR / STTR | United States | Grant | Phased awards, often $1M+ in total |
| NRC IRAP | Canada | Grant | Non-repayable, varies by project |
| EIC Accelerator | European Union | Mixed | Grant up to €2.5M + €1–10M equity |
| EIT Urban Mobility | European Union | Equity | Up to €2.5M co-investment |
| ADI (Bpifrance) | France | Mixed | Grant + repayable advance, 45–65% of R&D costs |
| EXIST Business Start-up Grant | Germany | Grant | €1,000–3,000/month per founder + €35K |
| Israel Innovation Authority | Israel | Mixed | Up to 50–70% of R&D, royalty-based |
| Boost (NTDP) | Saudi Arabia | Grant | Grant + prototyping support |
| Startup Qatar Investment Program | Qatar | Equity | Up to QAR 4M (start) / 20M (grow) |
| Startup SG Tech | Singapore | Grant | Proof-of-Concept and Proof-of-Value grants |
| TIPS | South Korea | Mixed | Up to KRW 800M R&D, matched to private investment |
| CSIRO Kick-Start | Australia | Grant | AUD 20K–60K, matched |
| Global Innovation Fund | Global | Mixed | $50K–$15M, grant, debt or equity |
How Government Startup Funding Works
Most government programs fall into one of three types:
- Grants. Non-repayable funding, usually covering part of a project’s R&D costs. Founders keep full ownership. Examples include SBIR, Startup SG Tech and EXIST.
- Repayable advances and royalty-based funding. Funding repaid only if the project succeeds, such as part of France’s ADI or Israel’s royalty-based R&D grants.
- Equity and co-investment. The government invests in the startup, often alongside private investors, as with the EIC Accelerator’s equity component, Korea’s TIPS or the Startup Qatar Investment Program.
Most programs are open only to companies registered in the country, and many fund only part of a project’s costs, so plan for matching funds.
North America
United States: SBIR and STTR
Funding type: Grants and contracts Best for: US small businesses developing new technology
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, often called America’s Seed Fund, are among the largest sources of early-stage technology funding in the world. Federal agencies award funding in phases: Phase I to test feasibility and Phase II to develop the technology further, with awards that can reach well over $1 million. STTR projects require a partnership with a research institution. The programs were reauthorized in April 2026 through 2031.
Canada: NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Funding type: Non-repayable funding and advisory support Best for: Canadian tech SMEs with up to 500 employees
NRC IRAP funds innovative, technology-driven projects at incorporated, for-profit Canadian companies, covering part of the salaries and contractor costs of R&D. Each company works with an industrial technology advisor, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Europe
European Union: EIC Accelerator
Funding type: Grant and equity Best for: European deep tech startups ready to scale
The EIC Accelerator, run by the European Innovation Council, offers grants of up to €2.5 million for innovation activities, plus optional equity investment of €1 million to €10 million from the EIC Fund. Startups submit a short proposal at any time, followed by a full proposal at one of six cut-off dates a year. It is open to companies in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries.
European Union: EIT Urban Mobility – Financial Support to Startups
Funding type: Co-investment Best for: European startups in urban mobility
EIT Urban Mobility provides up to €2.5 million per company to pre-seed, seed and Series A startups developing breakthrough mobility solutions. It invests alongside venture capital or other private investors in an ongoing round, but does not lead rounds. Applications run through an open call with several cut-off dates each year, in areas such as urban logistics, shared mobility, mobility data and electrification.
France: Aide pour le Développement de l’Innovation (ADI)
Funding type: Grant and repayable advance Best for: French startups with R&D-intensive projects
ADI, run by Bpifrance, co-finances startups developing breakthrough innovations. It covers up to 45–65% of eligible R&D costs, including feasibility studies, prototyping, pre-industrial testing and IP development, through a combination of grants and repayable advances.
Germany: EXIST Business Start-up Grant
Funding type: Grant (founder stipends) Best for: University graduates and researchers founding a startup in Germany
The EXIST Business Start-up Grant funds teams of up to three founders for one year with monthly stipends of €1,000 to €3,000 per person, plus up to €30,000 for materials and €5,000 for coaching. Applications go through a German university or research institution, which supports the team during the grant.
Middle East
Israel: Israel Innovation Authority R&D Grants
Funding type: Grant with royalty-based repayment Best for: Israeli tech startups in early development
The Israel Innovation Authority supports Israeli startups doing risky R&D with no immediate revenue, covering up to 50–70% of eligible R&D expenses, with higher rates for underrepresented groups. Startups keep full ownership of their IP and equity, and repay through royalties only if the product generates revenue. The programs are open to all sectors.
Saudi Arabia: Boost (National Technology Development Program)
Funding type: Grant and technical support Best for: Saudi-based tech and deep tech startups
Boost supports startups from early prototyping through MVP development, with non-dilutive funding, prototyping services and technical guidance across ideation, proof of concept, validation and pilot deployment. Priority goes to sectors aligned with Vision 2030, such as AI, robotics, sustainability and smart cities.
Qatar: Startup Qatar Investment Program
Funding type: Equity investment Best for: Startups launching in or expanding to Qatar
The Startup Qatar Investment Program, run by Qatar Development Bank, invests in startups launching in Qatar through its START track and in established global startups expanding there through its GROW track. Investment limits are up to QAR 4 million for early-stage companies and QAR 20 million for expansion-stage companies.
Asia-Pacific
Singapore: Startup SG Tech
Funding type: Grant Best for: Singapore startups developing proprietary technology
Startup SG Tech provides equity-free grants to startups developing proprietary technologies or intellectual property, at two stages: Proof-of-Concept grants to test technical feasibility and Proof-of-Value grants to validate commercial viability. Funding covers R&D manpower, materials, IP development and third-party services. Applicants must be Singapore-registered companies under five years old, with at least 30% local shareholding.
South Korea: TIPS
Funding type: Private investment matched by government R&D funding Best for: Korean tech startups backed by an accredited investor
Under TIPS, an accredited private operator invests in a startup first, and the government matches it with R&D funding repaid through royalties if the company succeeds. In 2026 the R&D grant ceiling rose to KRW 800 million per company, and at least half of newly selected startups must come from outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
Australia: CSIRO Kick-Start
Funding type: Matched grant Best for: Australian startups and small businesses doing R&D
CSIRO Kick-Start matches AUD 20,000 to 60,000 dollar for dollar for R&D projects between startups and CSIRO’s research teams, such as feasibility studies, prototypes and testing. It is open year-round to companies under three years old or with turnover under AUD 10 million.
Global
Global Innovation Fund – Core Innovation Fund
Funding type: Grant, debt or equity Best for: Startups improving lives in low- and middle-income countries
The Core Innovation Fund provides $50,000 to $15 million in flexible funding, matched to each stage: small grants of about $230,000 for pilots, about $1 million to $5 million for testing and transition, and up to $15 million to scale. It focuses on health, education, climate resilience and inclusive finance.
How to Apply for Government Startup Funding
- Check eligibility first. Most programs require a company registered in the country, and some limit company age or size.
- Prepare a clear R&D plan. Reviewers look for technical innovation, a realistic budget and milestones, and a path to commercial impact.
- Plan for co-funding. Many grants cover only part of the costs, and programs such as TIPS and EIT Urban Mobility require private investment alongside.
- Apply early and track deadlines. Some programs accept applications year-round, while others have fixed cut-off dates.
Run a Government Funding Program?
Public funding programs need the right founders to apply. StartupBlink reaches 1 million startup ecosystem stakeholders every year and helps governments promote their programs through dedicated portals, pitch events, reports and newsletters. Promote your program to the right startups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest government funding program for startups? The US SBIR and STTR programs are among the largest, funding thousands of small technology businesses every year. In Europe, the EIC Accelerator offers one of the largest single packages, with up to €2.5 million in grants plus optional equity.
Do government grants for startups require giving up equity? Most don’t. Grants such as SBIR, Startup SG Tech and EXIST are non-dilutive. Some programs, such as the EIC Accelerator’s equity component, Korea’s TIPS or the Startup Qatar Investment Program, involve investment for equity.
Can foreign founders apply for government startup funding? Usually only through a company registered in that country. Some countries pair funding with startup visas for international founders; see our guide to the best startup visa and relocation programs.
Want to see where startups are growing fastest? Explore the best countries for startups or download the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026.
