Soft Funding
Soft Funding
Non-dilutive capital sources for digital health startups in EU and Norway.
EU Programs
- Horizon Europe — EU's main research and innovation funding programme. Health cluster includes digital health topics.[1]
- EIC Accelerator — up to €2.5M grant + €15M equity for startups/SMEs with market-creating innovations.[2]
- Digital Europe Programme — EHDS-related calls available for health data infrastructure.[3]
- EIT Health — EU-wide health accelerator with Nordic presence, runs accelator programs and grants.[4]
Norwegian Programs
- Innovasjon Norge — Commercialisation Projects (CLOSED as of Apr 2026), Innovation Contracts (up to 2M NOK, rolling applications via raskavklaring portal).[5]
- SkatteFUNN — 19% tax credit for R&D, always open, fewer restrictions than grants.[6]
- IPN (Innovasjonsprosjekt i Næringslivet)' — open-ended NFR program, best option for companies currently.[7]
- FORNY2020 — dead, replaced by Commercialisation Projects.[8]
Key Hubs
- Aleap — Oslo Science Park, 4K NOK/mo, ventures fund. Critical for health startups.[9]
- Oslo Science Park — home to multiple health accelerators
Founder Salary Notes
IN: OK for formal employees, "markedsmessig lønn" required, 50% støtteintensitet typical. €25K/mnd will be challenged — early-stage approved 60-90K NOK/mnd. SkatteFUNN fewer restrictions.
Related Companies
- See companies that have received soft funding: Category:Company