ICEX Next

ICEX Next

Supports Spanish small businesses and startups with export-ready mentoring and internationalization grants.

ICEX Next is Spain's flagship SME export-promotion program, administered by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones — a Spanish public entity under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with operations in 196 countries. The program combines a direct grant with personalized advisory to help Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises and startups develop or deepen their international commercial activity. Each accepted beneficiary receives a grant of up to €24,000 covering 60% of eligible internationalization expenses — including market research, commercial network development, export promotion activities, and specialized personnel costs — plus a minimum of 30 hours of consulting from ICEX-accredited experts. The program duration is 24 months per beneficiary, and participants gain membership in Club ICEX Next, a network of Spanish exporters.

Eligibility is limited to Spanish SMEs and startups with their own branded products or services. Foreign commercial or productive subsidiaries are explicitly excluded. Applicants must have generated more than €300,000 in revenue in the prior year, though this threshold is waived for new technology startups. Companies must have a corporate website reflecting their brand and must have internationalization staff or contractors in place. Prior participation in PIPE or ICEX Next disqualifies applicants in most cases. The 2025 call — the most recent completed cycle — had a base allocation of €6 million for 250 beneficiaries, expandable to €7.2 million and 300 beneficiaries. The 2026 call is expected to follow the same annual pattern, with BOE publication in October 2026 and a roughly two-week application window in November 2026.

The 2025 call was published in the BOE on October 23, 2025, with applications accepted November 4–18, 2025, until 17:00. The co-financing ratio is fixed at 60% grant / 40% company contribution. Scoring methodology is not publicly disclosed. Prospective applicants should monitor the BOE for the 2026 announcement and prepare all eligibility documentation — revenue records, brand assets, and an internationalization plan — in advance of the short window.