Starter Package for Internationalization (Starterspakket Internationalisering)

Starter Package for Internationalization (Starterspakket Internationalisering)

Funds first-time Flemish exporters launching international sales with flat-rate export grants.

The Starterspakket Internationalisering is a one-time €9,000 flat-rate export grant administered by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the Flemish Government's regional trade and investment promotion agency with 70-plus offices worldwide. It is specifically designed for innovative Flemish SMEs that have never previously received any FIT subsidy and are launching international sales activities for the first time. The program operates through competitive call windows held at least twice annually, each capped at 100 submitted applications and a maximum of 50 approvals; the May 21, 2026 call closed fully booked on its opening day, and the next available window is expected at the end of September 2026. Eligible applicants must comply with the EU SME definition, be based in Flanders, and be free of bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings. Excluded sectors include agriculture, financial services, and real estate. Applications are submitted through the MyFIT portal exclusively during the open window; once 100 applications are received, the window closes regardless of remaining time. Required submission materials include a company presentation, project description, 9-month execution plan, and cost estimate; applicants have a maximum of 10 calendar days after receiving their reference number to finalize the submission. Upon approval, FIT pays the full €9,000 within 60 days — no matching co-funding is required. Grantees must deliver a commercial report with supporting invoices within 9 months of approval. This is a lifetime-limited program: receiving this grant permanently disqualifies the company from applying again, making it a genuine first-mover incentive for SMEs entering export markets.