Public Funding and the ENISA Seal: How to Turn Institutional Support into Growth

Public funding and ENISA certification are two key tools that help innovative startups and SMEs scale their projects. On one hand, public support programs offer strategic backing that complements private capital and facilitates access to resources for solid growth. On the other hand, ENISA certification officially recognizes companies as emerging businesses, opening the door to new investment rounds, tax benefits, and greater visibility within the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To explore these two levers in depth and provide practical insights on how to make the most of them, the National Entrepreneurship Office (ONE) hosted the webinar “Public Funding and ENISA Certification for Innovative Startups and SMEs” on October 28, 2025. During the session, Alberto Moratiel, Head of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at ENISA, clearly explained how to access these opportunities and the real impact they can have on business growth. His message was clear: combining public funding with ENISA certification not only provides liquidity, but also boosts trust, visibility, and the ability to attract investment—becoming a strategic driver for innovation and competitiveness.

Below, we share the key takeaways from the webinar to help you turn public funding and ENISA certification into your next competitive advantages. At the end of the post, you’ll find a link to watch the full session.

Public Funding: A Strategic Boost for Growth

Public funding has become an essential resource for startups and innovative SMEs looking to scale. Alberto Moratiel emphasized that ENISA tailors its instruments to real business needs and promotes a broad culture of innovative entrepreneurship—whether through differentiated processes, products, services, or markets. Its main tool is participative loans, which support companies throughout their lifecycle without diluting ownership or interfering in management.

Three key ideas were highlighted during the webinar:

• Program diversity: Funding is available from the creation stage through to growth, including sector-specific vertical lines such as Digital Women Entrepreneurs, AgroInnpulso, and Audiovisual and Cultural & Creative Industries.
• Multiplier effect: Access to public funds reduces perceived risk and facilitates the attraction of private investment.
• Strategic impact: Beyond liquidity, public funding drives professionalized management and medium-term planning.

Want to take advantage of these opportunities? Explore active grants and calls on the ONE Platform and find the one that best fits your project.

ENISA Certification: A Seal of Trust for Emerging Startups

The second part of the webinar focused on ENISA certification—an official recognition that identifies companies as emerging businesses and facilitates access to tax benefits, increased visibility, and new investment opportunities.

Alberto Moratiel outlined the specific benefits of this certification:

• Credibility with investors and strategic partners, thanks to institutional endorsement.
• Access to tax and legal advantages, enhancing the competitiveness of certified companies.
• Greater visibility in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, making it easier to connect with support networks and talented individuals.
• Boost to internationalization, as the seal is recognized across the European framework.

The ONE Platform makes it easy: use two self-assessment tools to evaluate your maturity and check within minutes whether you meet the requirements to certify as an emerging company (ENISA).

ENISA has established itself as a strategic ally for driving innovation and growth among SMEs and startups in Spain, offering flexible funding, competitive conditions, and a favorable regulatory framework. If your company is developing an innovative project with scaling potential, exploring ENISA’s funding lines and emerging company certification could be the first step toward turning your vision into reality.

Want all the details? Watch the full webinar video below.

And to stay up to date with future opportunities like this one, check out the full agenda in the webinars section of the ONE Platform.