Cantabria regional business and innovation support

The regional government of Cantabria has introduced several initiatives to support the local business ecosystem through financial aid and innovation programs.

Initially, the government implemented new decrees to simplify administrative processes for entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through SODERCAN, the Emprecan and Emplea programs were unified into a single direct grant system that operates without fixed deadlines or budget limits. Furthermore, new subsidies were established to help SMEs and self-employed individuals implement equality plans, with grants ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 euros depending on the inclusion of specific LGTBI equality measures and anti-harassment protocols.

Following these administrative updates, the government expanded its focus on technological advancement by updating the Xtela Open Innovation Program for its fourth edition. This program, executed by SODERCAN, aims to connect large companies with small technological innovation-based companies (EiBT) to address specific needs. The updated program removed economic limits for project contracting and introduced grants of up to 10,000 euros to facilitate the implementation of technological solutions.