Grants for small and medium-sized enterprises form the largest part of business support, because smaller companies have more limited access to financing, and schemes therefore grant them a higher rate of support than large enterprises. Categorisation is not determined by estimate – it is assessed according to the number of employees, annual turnover and balance-sheet total, and not only the company itself is counted, but also enterprises that are linked or partner enterprises to it. This is exactly where the most common surprise arises: a company that considers itself small becomes, once the owner and their other companies are counted in, a large enterprise, and loses entitlement to the bonus or to the whole call. Verify the categorisation before preparing the application, including linked entities and foreign owners.
See also: SME Definition, Single undertaking, Aid intensity.
