Innoviris: What Is Innoviris and How to Fund Your Digital Projects in Brussels?

What Is Innoviris?

Innoviris is the Brussels Institute for Research and Innovation, the public body responsible for funding and stimulating scientific research and technological innovation in the Brussels-Capital Region. Created to support the Brussels innovation ecosystem, Innoviris offers a wide range of funding programs for businesses, universities, hospitals and research centers based in Brussels.

For technology companies and Brussels-based SMEs, Innoviris represents a major funding source for software development projects, artificial intelligence, IoT and more broadly any initiative with a research and development dimension. Funding rates can reach 70% of eligible costs for small businesses, making it one of the most generous subsidy mechanisms in Belgium.

Innoviris Funding Programs

Innoviris structures its support around several programs, each adapted to a different stage of technological maturity and type of project promoter.

• Industrial research: this program funds exploratory research projects aimed at acquiring new knowledge and skills for developing new products, processes or services. The aid rate can reach 70% for small businesses and 60% for medium-sized businesses.
• Experimental development: intended for projects that transform research results into prototypes, pilots or demonstrators. The aid rate is 45% for small businesses and 35% for medium-sized businesses, with possible increases for collaborative projects.
• Co-create: this program encourages collaboration between businesses and research organizations to develop innovative solutions addressing societal challenges. Funding covers personnel costs, subcontracting, equipment and operating expenses.
• Joint R&D: Innoviris participates in the inter-regional BEL-SME and BEL-COO programs, enabling Brussels companies to collaborate with Flemish or Walloon partners on joint R&D projects.
• Innovation vouchers: smaller-amount vouchers allowing SMEs to fund feasibility studies, rapid prototypes or innovation consulting services.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Innoviris subsidies, a company must generally meet the following conditions:

• Operating base in Brussels: the company must have an operational establishment in the Brussels-Capital Region. The funded R&D activities must be carried out in Brussels.
• Innovative character of the project: the project must present a significant degree of innovation compared to the state of the art. It is not simply about developing software, but about solving a non-trivial technical or scientific problem.
• Implementation capacity: the company must demonstrate that it has the technical skills and financial resources to carry the project through to completion.
• Economic impact: the project must have potential economic benefits for the Brussels Region in terms of employment, revenue or competitiveness.

Eligible Expenses

Expenses covered by Innoviris are strictly regulated and must be directly linked to the R&D project:

• Personnel costs: salaries and social charges of researchers and technicians assigned to the project. This is generally the largest item (60 to 80% of the budget).
• Subcontracting: services provided by third parties (consultants, technical providers, laboratories). Capped at a percentage of the total budget.
• Equipment: depreciation of equipment needed for the project during its duration.
• Operating costs: generally calculated as a flat rate based on personnel costs.

Concrete Example

A Brussels-based startup of 8 people is developing a SaaS construction site management platform integrating AI image recognition for automated works progress tracking. It engages KERN-IT for backend development and computer vision algorithms.

The project is submitted to Innoviris under the experimental development program. The total budget of 150,000 euros includes 90,000 euros in internal personnel costs, 45,000 euros in subcontracting (KERN-IT) and 15,000 euros in operating costs. With an aid rate of 45% increased to 55% through collaboration with a university research center, the company obtains a subsidy of 82,500 euros. Its net investment drops from 150,000 to 67,500 euros for an 18-month project.

KERN-IT supports the client not only in technical development but also in writing the application, highlighting the innovative character of the solution and the R&D methodology employed.

Application Process

1. Initial contact: contact an Innoviris advisor to discuss the project and verify its eligibility before submitting a formal application.
2. Dossier preparation: prepare a detailed file including the project description, state of the art, methodology, work plan, budget and team.
3. Submission: submit the file on the Innoviris online platform. Calls are generally open on a continuous basis for businesses.
4. Evaluation: the dossier is assessed by independent experts on criteria of innovation, feasibility, economic impact and team quality.
5. Decision: the evaluation committee renders its decision within 2 to 4 months. If approved, a subsidy agreement is signed.
6. Execution and reporting: the project officially starts. Interim reports and a final report are required to justify expenses and results.

Conclusion

Innoviris is an essential funding lever for any Brussels-based company developing innovative technology solutions. Whether you are a startup in a research phase or an established SME innovating in its products, Innoviris programs can cover a significant portion of your R&D costs. The key is to position your project well by highlighting the innovative dimension and research methodology, beyond simple software development. KERN-IT supports you in this process by combining technical expertise and experience with Brussels subsidy applications.