PROPYME Costa Rica SME Innovation Grants

PROPYME provides non-repayable grants to Costa Rican SMEs for innovation, technology adoption, quality improvement, and productivity enhancement projects. Grants cover costs including consulting services, equipment, software, certifications, and training. The program is managed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT) and typically funds up to 80% of eligible project costs for qualifying mid-market companies.

SMEs must be registered with the Ministry of Economy and formally classified as a PYME (small or medium enterprise) under Costa Rican law. Applications are submitted during open call periods announced by MICITT, including a project proposal, budget, timeline, and company documentation. The evaluation considers innovation level, expected productivity impact, and the company's capacity to execute the project. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 months.

PROPYME provides non-reimbursable assistance covering technological equipment, quality certification processes including ISO and HACCP, workforce training, market intelligence, and export readiness assessments. Beneficiaries maintain segregated accounting with original invoices, bank confirmations, and photographic evidence of equipment installation. CONICIT conducts periodic on-site verification confirming proper utilization aligned with approved budgets and implementation timelines.

PROPYME-funded quality certifications enhance competitiveness within CAFTA-DR preferential tariff access to US markets and Central American Common Market intra-regional trade. Companies achieving international certifications qualify for PROCOMER export promotion and trade mission participation. This complementary institutional architecture reduces barriers preventing smaller Costa Rican enterprises from transitioning beyond domestic sales into higher-value international commercial relationships.

PROPYME provides non-reimbursable assistance covering technological equipment, quality certification processes including ISO and HACCP, workforce training, market intelligence, and export readiness assessments. Beneficiaries maintain segregated accounting with original invoices, bank confirmations, and photographic evidence of equipment installation. CONICIT conducts periodic on-site verification confirming proper utilization aligned with approved budgets and implementation timelines.

PROPYME-funded quality certifications enhance competitiveness within CAFTA-DR preferential tariff access to US markets and Central American Common Market intra-regional trade. Companies achieving international certifications qualify for PROCOMER export promotion and trade mission participation. This complementary institutional architecture reduces barriers preventing smaller Costa Rican enterprises from transitioning beyond domestic sales into higher-value international commercial relationships.