Innovative SME seal

Has your company carried out activities in the field of Research, Technological Development or technological innovation in recent years? Find out if you are eligible to obtain the Innovative SME Seal!

What is it?

The Innovative SME Seal is a recognition, offered by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, that distinguishes those companies that have an innovative character.

What are the benefits of having the Innovative SME Seal?

Those companies that have the Innovative SME Seal can benefit from the benefits of applying both corporate tax deductions for R+D+i activities and bonuses for people dedicated to R+D+i in Social Security, in the same project. Companies that do not have this recognition cannot access both incentives simultaneously.

Companies that have the Innovative SME Seal have access to all those lines of aid that expressly mention the status of “innovative SME” (such as the ICO line, for example), as well as to participate in public procurement (through “Innovative Public Procurement”).

Companies that have the Innovative SME Seal can make use of it for advertising and commercial purposes.

When is an SME considered innovative?

An innovative SME is considered to be an innovative one when it complies with any of the following

Public calls within the framework of the 7th National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation or the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research (or subsequent plans). Grants for carrying out R+D+i projects from the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) Calls for the 7th Framework Program for R+D+i or the Horizon 2020 Program offered by the European Union (or subsequent plans).

Public calls within the framework of the 7th National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation or the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research (or subsequent plans). Due to the fact that, in the three years prior to the exercise of the right to a bonus, a positive, binding reasoned report was obtained for the purpose of applying tax deductions on corporate income tax.

Young Innovative Company (JEI) according to the AENOR EA0043 Specification. Innovative small or microenterprise, according to the AENOR EA0047 Specification. Certification in accordance with the UNE 166.002 standard called “R+D+i Management Systems”.

How to apply for the Innovative SME Seal?

SMEs that meet the necessary requirements to be included in the Public Registry of Innovative SMEs and that are not yet on any of the published lists, can request to be included in the list through an Application for Registration as an Innovative SME, providing documentation that proves that they meet any of the necessary requirements for this purpose. La
La solicitud de registro no tiene coste alguno para las empresas y el procedimiento de inscripción se realiza de manera telemática, a través del Registro Público de Pymes Innovadoras dependiente del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.

Request for registration

Information needed during the application process:

Data of the requesting company.

Details of the requesting contact person.

General information about the company: number of employees, billing and annual accounts, articles of incorporation, CIF, statutes, etc.

Provide some of the documents mentioned in the previous section that prove that your company is innovative, for example: documentation on the granting of any of the above-mentioned public R&D grants, own operating patent, copy of the resolution of the positive binding motivated report or the copy of the official certification recognized by MINECO.

Electronic signature

Once the entire process is done, the Ministry's resolution can take anywhere from one week to 4 months. When the final resolution is obtained, the seal can be downloaded.

If you are looking for formal recognition for your commitment to innovation, the Innovative SME Seal may be your next step. Don't hesitate to apply for it and explore new opportunities for your company.