When starting a business project, its location is essential. In turn, one of the most important factors in choosing a location is the aid, incentives and financing offered by the institutions in the area. Castilla-La Mancha is one of the regions that offers the most support in this respect, with a combination of regional and supra-regional aid that creates a positive framework for the development of new business projects.
Incentives for investment and innovation in Castilla-La Mancha
The business environment in Castilla-La Mancha offers a range of opportunities to encourage investment and business growth. This time, we highlight two essential programmes that can make a difference in the development of innovative projects and the improvement of industrial competitiveness, and which have just opened their annual calls for applications: FOCAL (Programme for the Promotion of Agri-Food Quality) and Innova Invest.
The FOCAL Programme focuses on strengthening the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in Castilla-La Mancha. This programme, with a budget of 80 million euros, is aimed at supporting the processing, marketing and development of agricultural and food products. Beneficiaries can be either natural or legal persons already operating in the agri-food industry in the region or planning to set up new industries after implementing their investment projects. In the wine sector, associative entities, such as cooperatives, SAT and EAPIR, which are not considered SMEs, can access this aid for projects with a minimum investment of 100,000 euros.
On the other hand, INNOVA INVEST programme, coordinated by ICEX-Invest in Spain, is designed to attract foreign investment in the field of Research and Development (R&D). This programme seeks to encourage investment in 
new technological assets and the hiring of highly qualified human resources. With a call for applications open until 8 April, companies with majority foreign capital can benefit from co-financing provided by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) for the period 2021-2027. With an initial budget of 10.8 million euros, interested companies must submit projects with a minimum investment of more than 500,000 euros. The subsidy can reach up to 800,000 euros per beneficiary, with an intensity ranging from 25% to 50%, depending on the type of project and the size of the company.
In addition to INNOVA INVEST and FOCAL, Castilla-La Mancha has other lines of financing that complement investment support. These include the Regional Economic Incentives, 
which offer non-refundable aid to promote business activity in productive and tourism sectors, for projects with an investment above €900,000. These subsidies can reach up to 50% for small companies, 40% for medium-sized companies and 30% for large companies.
Finally, the Plan Adelante 2024-2027, which encompasses the Regional Government’s strategy to strengthen the region’s business fabric, includes more than 50 measures and is endowed with €400 million, focused mainly on SMEs, and revolves around 6 work axes (undertake, invest, innovate and digitalise, market, internationalise and finance).
Business financing in Castilla-La Mancha
Our region offers companies numerous alternatives that can complete the financing necessary to carry out a project. Of particular note is the role of the Castilla-La Mancha Finance Institute, which offers ordinary loans at competitive rates, guarantees (Aval CLM) and participative loans and equity stakes (SODICAMAN).
Another relevant initiative is the Consolida Adelante CLM Fund, managed by SEPIDES and the Castilla-La Mancha Finance Institute. With a budget of 15 million euros, this fund is aimed at investing in unlisted companies in the development or expansion phase, with a focus on innovative projects with job creation potential.
Finally, the Impulse Tech Fund, a 56 million euros public-private fund, 
supports projects with a high R&D component.
Taking advantage of these opportunities is key to boosting innovation and business growth in the region. With these programmes, companies can access solid financial support that will allow them to grow, innovate and compete in a constantly evolving global market.
