Business Start Scheme

Early seed funding for small start-ups

Malta Enterprise have relaunched the Business Start Scheme (hereinafter, the ‘Scheme’) intended to support small start-up undertakings that have a viable business concept to develop their business proposal before seeking further funding or third-party equity. Applications for assistance under this Scheme may be submitted by 30 October 2026.

Definition of start-up undertakings

Start-up undertakings are defined in the Scheme Guidelines as:

i) Unlisted small enterprises up to five years following registration, which meet a set of cumulative conditions laid out in the Scheme guidelines; and which

ii) At time of application, must employ less than 50 full time equivalent employees and have an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total not exceeding Eur10 million.

Where an undertaking has a parent/subsidiary relationship with another undertaking, all entities within the structure must meet the above criteria to be considered a start-up undertaking.

Eligible start-up undertakings

In order to be eligible for support under this Scheme, start-up undertakings shall:

i) Be registered as a business entity such as a self-employed, co-operative or limited liability company- businesses not yet established may still apply, however support would be made available after formal establishment;

ii) Request support under the Scheme within 36 months from date of establishment, whilst still qualifying as a small start-up undertaking at time of application;

iii) Ensure that activities are intrinsically linked to the knowledge and/or experience of the key persons; and

iv) Be engaged in one of the following activities, whilst proposing products or services that have the potential of generating income from various geographical locations:

a. Manufacturing;
b. Software development;
c. Industrial services analogous to manufacturing;
d. Health, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences; or
e. Other innovative economic activities.

Start-up undertakings will not be eligible for support under this Scheme if controlled by owners of:

i) Existing businesses or other undertakings that operate in or have interests exceeding 25% in other undertakings in the same or related sector; or

ii) An undertaking operative in the same or related sector that had closed down in the 12 months preceding the start-up’s establishment date.

Type of support

The Scheme provides an initial seed fund of up to Eur10,000 to support eligible start-ups which have a developed business concept, to formulate an implementation and growth business plan. Funding would be provided in three stages, as follows:

i. A grant of Eur3,000 would be disbursed within three months of signed Letter of Approval, provided start-up employs at least one employee resident in Malta, on a full-time or part-time basis;

ii. Second tranche of Eur3,500 would be disbursed at least after two months from first tranche and within six months of signed Letter of Approval, provided start-up has retained employment of at least one full-time or part-time employee, and submits a Business Plan on template provided; and

iii. Final tranche of Eur3,500 would be disbursed within three months of approval of submitted Business Plan, provided start-up has retained employment of at least one full-time or part-time employee, and provides evidence of a business address from where activity will be undertaken.

How can we help?

Deloitte Malta is ready to assist in answering your queries, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any further guidance you may require.

In addition, Deloitte Malta is able to assist with the preparation of the required applications and any supporting documentation, as well as document submission and any required follow-ups.