Funding

3i grants for strategic innovation, investment and internationalisation projects

R&D and entrepreneurship

Finance an integrated growth project that transforms your company’s competitive position

The 3i programme supports high-impact strategic projects developed by SMEs in Bizkaia that combine innovation, investment and internationalisation as drivers of business growth and competitiveness.

At Bavion, we assess company and project eligibility, structure the different components within one coherent strategic project, prepare the technical and economic proposal and support the company throughout application, evaluation, execution and justification.

A 3i project must show that innovation, investment and internationalisation form part of one coherent strategic project rather than a set of independent actions.

Preparing a strategic project for 3i 2027?

Assess your project

Company and project eligibility for 3i

We assess whether the company, sector, project scale and proposed activities meet the essential programme requirements before developing the full application.

Determine whether your company and project fit the scale and scope of 3i

3i is aimed at SMEs with legal personality and at least 10 full-time equivalent employees, within the applicable European SME thresholds.

The company must have at least one production centre in Bizkaia or establish one during project execution as a direct result of the funded project.

We verify that the company carries out an eligible industrial, construction, transport, industrial service or other activity included in the CNAE categories defined by the programme.

Before preparing the application, we review company size, strategic fit, eligible activity, project scale, proposed expenditure and the relationship between innovation, investment and internationalisation.

Innovation, investment and internationalisation

We structure the project so that its different components form one strategic initiative and clearly contribute to the company's competitive transformation.

Build one strategic project around at least two complementary growth levers

The project must combine at least two of the three 3i areas and demonstrate that all proposed actions are connected to the same strategic objective and business model.

Innovation activities may include experimental development, feasibility studies, process and organisational innovation and the protection of patents and other intangible assets.

The project may include strategic investment in tangible and intangible assets associated with new establishments, expansion, production diversification or fundamental changes in production processes.

Internationalisation may include specialised consulting, market and entry analysis, partner identification and participation in international trade fairs within the eligible scope of the programme.

3i funding and eligible project costs

We structure the project budget by expenditure category, company size and applicable aid intensity while maintaining consistency with the activities and strategic objectives.

Build a project budget consistent with the three strategic areas

The 2026 call requires a minimum eligible project base of €750,000. Grants can reach up to €450,000 for small companies and €500,000 for other SMEs.

Investment in eligible tangible and intangible assets can receive support of up to 20% for small companies and 10% for other SMEs under the 2026 rules.

Experimental development and feasibility studies can receive up to 45% support for small companies and 35% for other SMEs, while process and organisational innovation can reach 50%.

Eligible consulting services for innovation, investment and internationalisation, international trade fair participation and patent-related activities may receive up to 50% support.

Strategic, technical and economic proposal preparation

We transform the different project components into a single proposal connecting strategy, innovation, investment, internationalisation, impact, resources and budget.

Turn a complex investment project into one coherent and defensible 3i proposal

We identify the core strategic objective and structure innovation, investment and internationalisation activities around a common project logic, avoiding disconnected or peripheral actions.

We define objectives, activities, work plan, milestones, responsibilities, resources, risks, expenditure and indicators so that the proposal clearly explains how the project will be implemented.

We structure the expected impact on business growth, employment, competitive positioning, international presence, productive capacity and the company's wider value chain.

Before submission, we review the application against the main areas assessed by the programme, strengthening strategic coherence, innovation, internationalisation, investment impact, planning, resources and measurable outcomes.

Application, evaluation, execution and justification

We support the company throughout the 3i process, from electronic submission and project evaluation through implementation, modifications and final justification.

Manage the 3i project from application to final payment

We coordinate the technical, financial, corporate and employment documentation required and support electronic submission through the Bizkaia Provincial Council platform.

We prepare the company for the project interview and ensure that management and technical teams can explain the strategic logic, impact, activities, resources and expected results consistently with the submitted proposal.

After approval, we support documentary and financial monitoring and the management of relevant changes that may require prior authorisation.

We prepare and coordinate the technical and financial justification, invoices, payment evidence, personnel records, deviations and supporting documentation required for payment of the grant.

Why prepare and manage your 3i project with Bavion?

Prior eligibility assessment

Confirm company eligibility, project scale and strategic fit before investing resources in the full application.

Integrated project structure

Connect innovation, investment and internationalisation around one strategic objective instead of presenting unrelated initiatives.

Optimised eligible budget

Classify expenditure correctly and apply the appropriate funding intensity according to activity and company size.

Evaluation-oriented preparation

Build the proposal around strategic impact, competitiveness, innovation, internationalisation, investment and implementation capacity.

Preparation for project evaluation

Maintain a consistent narrative between the written application and the subsequent project interview.

Support through justification

Maintain documentary consistency between the approved project, actual expenditure and the final evidence required for payment.

Strategic planning

Define the strategic, financial, operating, commercial and international priorities that can later be translated into a major investment and transformation project.

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