Opportunities 16 July 2026

StartUP Voucher pays young founders a 900-euro monthly grant — applications close 25 August

Portugal's StartUP Voucher Innovate 2025-2026 backs entrepreneurs up to age 29 with a 900-euro monthly grant for 9 months, milestone prizes and a 2,000-euro completion award. Apply by 25 August.

Deadline: 25 August 2026

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A business idea in your head and zero euros in your account — the classic portrait of many young would-be founders in Portugal. StartUP Voucher Innovate exists precisely for that gap: it pays a 900-euro monthly grant for nine months to turn an idea into a company, and this edition’s applications close on 25 August.

Who can apply for the StartUP Voucher?

Young people up to 29, with a degree, who aren’t working, studying or receiving other income, with tax residence in the North, Centre or Alentejo regions and a technology-based business idea at the starting line. The scheme is run by IAPMEI, Portugal’s SME agency, and each project can carry up to two grants at once — so you can launch as a duo.

How much does it pay, and for how long?

The grant is 900 euros a month across a nine-month track split into three development phases. Along the way there are 1,500-euro milestone prizes at the start of phases two and three, and a 2,000-euro completion award for those who finish by creating their own job. Add it up and a project that goes the distance can collect over 13,000 euros in direct support per grant holder — before counting access to the National Incubator Network and mentoring.

How and when do I apply?

By 25 August, via the programme’s official page at DG Economia, which routes to the IAPMEI platform. Prepare the idea description carefully — selection rewards the tech component and growth potential.

If the idea takes off, the next step is making it official — that’s where our guides on setting up a company for 360 euros at Empresa na Hora and registering as self-employed come in. Nine paid months to test a dream is one of the best offers of the summer. The deadline, though, won’t wait.

By Miguel Sarmento

Illustrative · Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels

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