OPEN CALL: innovate in the digital, circular or health economy, with support of the city of Antwerp

Your company in Antwerp can submit a project that innovates in the digital, circular or health economy. If your project is selected, you will receive up to €45.000 in financial support for the operating expenses required to realise your innovation.

Which projects has the city already supported? You can find them here: businessinantwerp.eu/en/innovators.

Who is eligible for financial support?

You represent an SME in the district of Antwerp and your company regularly conducts commercial activities and services multiple customers in the city. After the project is completed, you will continue your economic activities in Antwerp for at least another five years.

Which projects are eligible for support?

You want to develop an innovative project that contributes to digitalisation and circularity in various economic sectors, or you want to implement an innovative approach within the health sector.

• The project is new; it still needs to be further developed and launched.
• The innovation offers a solution for the digital or circular economy or introduces an innovative approach in the health sector.
• The total cost amounts to a minimum of 25.000 euros.
• The costs are mainly direct costs, allocated to building, testing and implementing the innovation.
• The project will be operational within one year after selection, 26 June 2027.
• The project will accelerate growth or international positioning of your company.
• The project illustrates that Antwerp is an entrepreneurial city.

Criteria for receiving financial support

Applications for financial support must meet certain criteria. These are clearly defined in the regulations and relate to the following:

• the innovative nature of the project;
• the extent to which the financial support will stimulate the project;
• the quality of the business case and the feasibility of the action plan;
• the substantial added value or extra employment opportunities for the city of Antwerp;
• the feasibility of the timing;
• the expertise and resources available to realise the project.

Project support

The maximum amount of support available per project is €45.000, which is intended exclusively to cover operating costs. Your company must contribute at least 25% of the total cost.

Book a one-to-one meeting to discuss your innovation

Do you have any additional questions about this call, or would you like to discuss your project proposal beforehand? You can arrange an individual meeting with the project leader, Sophie Deckers.

CALL FOR INNOVATION IN THE DIGITAL, CIRCULAR OR HEALTH ECONOMY (explanatory note) (NL)

This document contains all the details and conditions that your innovative project must meet to receive financial support from the city of Antwerp.

• The deadline for submitting projects is 8 May 2026 at 12 noon.
• A jury will assess the submitted projects on 29 May 2026.
• If your project is selected, you will pitch it during a Q&A session on 8 and 9 June 2026.
• The jury will then produce a report. This will inform the College of Mayor and Aldermen's decision on the final selection and awarding of the selected projects.
• The selected projects will be announced on 26 June 2026.

Interested and have a question?

Email your question to sophie.deckers@antwerpen.be. She will respond promptly.