If you’re a small or mid-sized company in the Hauts-de-France region looking to invest in future technologies, the Industrial Performance Investment Aid can support your efforts. This scheme provides grants for eligible investments up to €500,000, aimed at enhancing competitiveness through technological advancements. The aid is designed for businesses that are committed to sustainable practices and innovation.

Objectives

The Industrial Performance Investment Aid aims to encourage regional companies to sustain their investment in cutting-edge technologies. By supporting projects that lead to technological advancements, this scheme helps businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Eligible investments include those that enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact, such as integrating robotics or innovative manufacturing processes.

Beneficiaries

This aid targets small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies with fewer than 2,000 employees. To qualify, companies must:

• Have at least one year of operational activity (one fiscal year)
• Be registered with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) or the Craft Register (RM)
• Be up to date with tax and social obligations.

Excluded sectors include:

• Companies in difficulty
• Retail and wholesale trade
• Regulated professions
• Financial and real estate activities
• Training organizations
• Primary agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, and forestry sectors
• Road freight transport.

Eligible operations

Eligible investments must result in a significant technological leap for the company. This includes:

• Productive investments such as robotics integration and digital process development
• New equipment acquisition (leasing is acceptable if there is a commitment to purchase)
• Investments that improve environmental performance, which may qualify for a Green Bonus, increasing the base of eligible expenses.

Eligibility conditions

Investment amounts must range between €100,000 and €500,000, or up to €750,000 for projects with high environmental performance. Additional conditions include:

• Compliance with tax and social obligations
• Commitment to using new equipment.

Grant amount

For SMEs, the grant covers a maximum of 20% of eligible investments for companies with fewer than 50 employees and 10% for those with 50 to 249 employees. A bonus of €2,000 per job created may be awarded, up to a limit of 25 jobs (€50,000 total). Mid-cap companies can access a repayable advance covering up to 33% of eligible expenses at a 0% interest rate over 7 years, including a 2-year deferment.