Small and medium-sized businesses in the Stockholm region can apply for this year's business development grants from 7 September. The funding covers development projects in digitalisation, internationalisation or the transition towards sustainability. Applications close on 27 September 2026, according to Region Stockholm.
What happened?
Region Stockholm is running the initiative with Almi, using financing from the European Regional Development Fund. The grants are intended to help businesses purchase expertise for development beyond their ordinary operations.
Under the region's current terms, businesses can request between SEK 50,000 and SEK 200,000. Funding covers 40 per cent of project costs, with the business paying the remaining 60 per cent. The region specifies a project cost of up to SEK 500,000 under this funding model.
Consultancy services and project-specific employment may qualify. Travel can also be covered by the internationalisation grant, but the published information limits travel costs to 20 per cent of the total budget.
Location
Stockholm
Impact and significance
Payment is made retrospectively. A business awarded funding must therefore be able to pay the full project cost from its own cash resources before requesting reimbursement. That makes an award decision different from having the money available when work starts.
The region also distinguishes new development work from recurring expenditure. Ordinary staff salaries, general product development, production of text, images or video, and marketing to end customers are examples of costs that the grants cannot cover. Applications for external expertise therefore need to explain what the project adds beyond the company's normal work.
Background
Basic requirements include turnover of SEK 1–100 million in the latest approved annual accounts and sound finances, assessed using those accounts and credit information from UC. According to the region's list, the company must also have received less than SEK 2 million in government support during the previous three years. All basic requirements must be met; working in an eligible subject area does not automatically secure funding.
Digitalisation projects might address processes, AI or automation. Sustainability projects may concern energy savings or circular business models. Internationalisation can involve external help entering new markets or developing a strategy to do so.
Latest update
The process begins with an expression of interest handled initially by Almi. Applicants who progress are asked to submit a more detailed formal application, which Region Stockholm processes. The region and Almi also list an information session on 16 September. Businesses should use the current terms page and its application documents ahead of the 27 September deadline.
Sources
- Region Stockholm – villkor för affärsutvecklingscheckar
- Region Stockholm (länsbokstav AB) Länk till annan webbplats. – nyheter
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Reviewed: 2026-09-07. Independent editorial content. WUA Sverige is not affiliated with any political party.