Innovation is not an option but a vital necessity. Companies are evolving in an environment that is changing more and more rapidly and profoundly. Digitalization, artificial intelligence, the energy transition, and increasing international competition are putting companies under pressure. Leyton, the international consulting group, supports companies in seeking and obtaining funding in the form of grants and tax incentives specifically aimed at energy efficiency, renewable energies, research, development, and innovation.
“The problem is not that companies innovate too little. What we often observe is that companies are not aware of the funding opportunities that exist or lack the time or organizational structure to explore them on their own,” explains Valerio Scotti, Key Account Manager at Leyton. SMEs in particular do not always easily find their way in the complex landscape of subsidies and tax incentives.
Belgium, however, has an extensive system of support measures. In addition to federal tax incentives, there are regional grants and European programs that allocate attractive budgets for innovative projects.
From Strategy to Financing
This is precisely where Leyton makes a difference. This French-origin firm has, over the past two decades, become an international group with about 3000 employees and is present in 18 countries. Activities are mainly concentrated in Europe but also extend to North America and Morocco. In Belgium, Leyton has a team of about eighty employees.
The approach is holistic and does not start from a specific grant or tax incentive, but rather from the needs and ambitions of the company. In collaboration with the company, Leyton examines which projects can benefit from support and which form of financing represents the most optimal solution.
“We create a roadmap with the client, whether they are small start-ups or large international companies,” explains Valerio Scotti. We look at which grants are possible, which tax incentives can be leveraged, and at what stage in a project’s lifecycle certain support measures become relevant. From the initial research phase to final commercialization, different instruments can reinforce each other.
Multidisciplinary Expertise
Innovation projects often take place at the intersection of technology, finance, and regulations. That is why Leyton works with multidisciplinary teams where people with scientific, tax, and legal backgrounds work closely together.
This combination of expertise is crucial. An innovative project must not only be technically sound but also meet the conditions attached to support measures.
“A good project alone is not enough,” says Valerio Scotti. “It is also necessary to clearly demonstrate its economic, technological, or societal impact. Moreover, a file must correspond to the objectives of the relevant authority or the EU. This translation often makes the difference between a good application and a successful one.”
The results speak for themselves. For regional grant applications, Leyton achieves a success rate of over 95%. For European programs, this rate is at least twice the average. This applies to all EU programs.
Security in Increasing Complexity
According to Valerio Scotti, many companies still underestimate the importance of timing. “Many companies only think about grants or tax incentives when it is too late. In such cases, certain costs are often no longer eligible.
Controls on tax support measures are also becoming increasingly strict. It goes without saying that companies must demonstrate that their activities are truly ‘innovative’ and that they have correctly calculated the benefits applied. We are also seeing a trend in controls to reject applications due to non-compliance or insufficient compliance with administrative formalities and procedures. It takes time, expertise, and resources to meet increasingly strict compliance requirements.
“Today, companies need not only financing but also security,” says Valerio Scotti. “We support them both during the application, audits, negotiations with authorities, and, if necessary, even during legal proceedings.”
An Important Lever for Sustainable Growth
The impact of innovation funding is significant. Additional resources strengthen liquidity, allowing companies to accelerate their growth and the implementation of their projects. Moreover, grants and tax benefits help reduce dilution. Thus, founders retain their value and control over their strategic choices.
Valerio Scotti concludes: “In an open and competitive economy where innovation increasingly makes the difference between following and leading, a well-thought-out financing strategy can be an important lever for sustainable growth.”
