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From Idea to Execution: How Startups Can Leverage Planning Grants, for early-stage startups, transforming a brilliant idea into a tangible, scalable venture is no easy feat. It requires more than passion and product development; it demands planning, structure, and strategy. This is where planning grants can play a pivotal role in turning entrepreneurial ambition into funded, executable projects.

In 2025, as part of the evolving EU funding landscape in Malta, Business Reports for SMEs, under the Marketing Schemes, offer a unique opportunity for startups to gain structured guidance through externally prepared business plans and process reviews. This simplified, lump-sum grant scheme is not only accessible but built precisely for ventures that need to validate and define their next steps.

Why Planning Grants Matter for Startups

The early phases of a startup are often marked by uncertainty. Questions around market feasibility, cash flow, operational scaling, and digital readiness can be overwhelming. A planning grant, such as the €4,000 lump sum under the Business Reports for SMEs scheme, can fund the preparation of:

• A business plan for upcoming investments
  
  
• A process and systems review to optimise internal operations
  
  
• A market and competition analysis to evaluate viability
  

Crucially, these reports are developed by external, pre-approved service providers, allowing startups to benefit from objective strategic insights.

What the Business Report Covers

A professionally prepared report under this scheme addresses:

• Market and industry assessment (including SWOT and PESTEL analysis)
  
  
• Investment proposals with technical specifications
  
  
• Financial projections over three years
  
  
• Risk mitigation and ROI forecasts
  
  
• Compliance with EU visibility and aid regulations
  

These insights not only support internal decision-making but also strengthen future funding applications, including under larger schemes like SME Enhance or Digitalise Your SME.

Simplified Access in 2025

With the revised 2025 funding rules, startups benefit from:

• No need for CPA-certified financials if under two years old
  
  
• Eligibility for a second report (within a different sector) under the same undertaking
  
  
• Faster evaluation under rolling calls, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
  

Startups only need to demonstrate they are legally established, engaged in economic activity, and unaffiliated with the external consultancy providing the service.

From Paper to Practice: What’s Next?

Once the grant is awarded, startups typically have six months to implement the project. The final report, whether a business plan or process review, becomes a critical asset for:

• Securing future EU or private investment
  
  
• Refining go-to-market strategies
  
  
• Meeting eligibility criteria for capital-intensive funding schemes
  

CP Advisory Can Help You Move First

Timing is everything. These planning grants are awarded until funds are exhausted, and the streamlined 2025 model makes early submission key. At CP Advisory, we support startups with:

• Eligibility checks and documentation
  
  
• Connecting with registered consultancy partners
  
  
• End-to-end grant application guidance
  

Ready to get started?

Let CP Advisory help you unlock your startup’s full potential with EU funds that empower planning, not just execution.

Contact us today to begin your Business Report application.