What aid do the Chambers of Commerce offer for setting up a business?

The Chambers of Commerce offer aid for anyone who is self-employed or about to start a business. The various Chambers of Commerce are located throughout Spain, so you can apply for this aid through the Chamber of Commerce that operates in your province or territory.

AID FOR ENTREPRENEURS

a) España – Emprende

This program aims to support entrepreneurs throughout every stage of their company’s life: the business idea, incorporation, consolidation, and transfer. It does so through both in-person and online activities.

The program is free of charge and is aimed both at individuals or legal entities that wish to launch their business and at existing companies that need advice. The program covers:

• Awareness-raising, outreach, and information activities on the entrepreneurial process.

• Training to build the skills of entrepreneurs and business owners.

• Personalized guidance tailored to each entrepreneurial initiative.

• Legal assistance for moving through the stages of the company’s life cycle.

b) Aid for women entrepreneurs

The Business Support Program for Women (Programa de Apoyo Empresarial a las Mujeres – PAEM), also free of charge, focuses on preparing the business plan, providing information and advice to help you set up your company and develop your business, and assisting with access to financing. The benefits of this program are:

• Information on self-employment opportunities, legislation, formalities, and useful contacts.

• Specialized advice: business management, feasibility plans, domestic and foreign trade analysis, and new technologies.

• Assistance in preparing the business plan and submitting it to microcredit lines that require no guarantees.

• Advice can be received either online or in person.

AID FOR INNOVATION, DIGITALIZATION, AND COMPETITIVENESS

a) InnoCámaras Program

Its objective is to introduce innovations in your company’s products, services, and processes through a methodology that combines advice with direct innovation aid, with grants of up to 85%. Experts from the various Chambers of Commerce will provide you with an analysis of your company’s needs, personalized advice on the innovation plan to be carried out, and a grant to implement it.

b) TICCámaras Program

This program is designed to improve your business’s competitiveness by incorporating new technologies such as:

• Cloud-based productivity tools: ERP, CRM, POS, Big Data, virtual reality…

• E-commerce: online store, website, payment gateway, digital signature…

• Digital marketing: social media, email marketing, search engine positioning…

On the one hand, technical specialists analyze your business’s technology needs and recommend options for improvement. On the other, solutions are implemented with the support of aid from the Chambers of Commerce.

INTERNATIONALIZATION OF COMPANIES

a) International Promotion Program (PIP)

The International Promotion Program (Programa Internacional de Promoción, PIP) offers the aid and activities that self-employed workers or entrepreneurs need to launch their internationalization through:

• International promotion activities: to promote your company’s products and services commercially at the international level, bringing you closer to potential customers through participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, business meetings…

• Awareness-raising and information activities: to foster a culture of internationalization among companies through forums, information sessions, seminars, workshops…

b) Xpande Program

The Xpande program is particularly aimed at Spanish SMEs that wish to start exporting, that seek to access a specific foreign market, or that intend to consolidate their position in international markets.

To that end, it will help you increase your chances of success in international markets through strategic guidance based on the market and your competitive position. In addition, it prepares an export plan for your target market and offers financial aid to carry out your internationalization plan.

Xpande lasts 1 year and is divided into two phases:

Phase I: consists of four modules: market selection, market access, communication and marketing, and economic-financial.

Phase II: financial aid for your company’s internationalization process.