USD 120K for Costa Rican Export Innovation: Complete Guide to PROCOMERs Innovation Fund

Costa Rica has built a reputation for punching above its weight in international trade. A country of just 5 million people has developed world-class export sectors in medical devices, technology services, tropical agriculture, and sustainable tourism. PROCOMER - the Costa Rican trade promotion organization - has played a central role in this success, and its Innovation Fund continues to support companies building international competitiveness.

With grants up to USD 120,000, the Innovation Fund helps Costa Rican exporters develop the products, processes, and capabilities they need to compete in global markets. This isnt general business support - its specifically targeted at innovation that drives export success.

The October 31, 2025 deadline creates a clear timeline for preparation. Unlike rolling programs where you can wait indefinitely, this deadline forces action. Companies that want this funding need to prepare systematically and submit complete applications.

For Costa Rican exporters with innovations that could strengthen their international position, this program offers substantial non-dilutive capital to accelerate development.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The USD 120,000 grant supports innovation activities directly tied to export competitiveness. Understanding eligible activities helps you design fundable projects.

Product innovation develops new or significantly improved products for international markets. Whether you’re creating entirely new offerings or adapting existing products for specific export markets, development costs qualify.

Process innovation improves manufacturing, operations, or service delivery in ways that enhance export competitiveness. Efficiency improvements, quality enhancements, or capability expansions that help you compete internationally fit.

Market development activities help you enter or expand in international markets. Market research, certification for foreign markets, participation in international trade events, and establishment of foreign presence all qualify.

Technology adoption brings advanced capabilities into your operations. Implementing new technologies that improve product quality, operational efficiency, or service delivery for export markets can be funded.

Certification and compliance helps you meet international standards. Many export markets require specific certifications - quality systems, environmental standards, sector-specific requirements - and achieving these can be funded.

Capacity building develops your organizations ability to compete internationally. Training, consultancy, and capability development that strengthens export competitiveness qualify.

The common thread is export orientation. Activities that only affect domestic operations typically dont fit. Innovation must connect to international competitiveness.

Who Should Apply

The program targets Costa Rican companies with export orientation. Not every business fits.

Current exporters seeking to grow are primary candidates. If youre already selling internationally and have identified innovations that could expand your export business, this funding accelerates development.

Export-ready companies preparing for international markets fit well. If you have products or services suitable for export and need to make final preparations - certifications, adaptations, market entry capabilities - this program helps.

Manufacturing companies with international customers or potential customers can fund production innovations that strengthen competitiveness.

Technology and services exporters developing offerings for international clients find support for product development, quality systems, and market development.

Agribusiness exporters - a traditional strength of Costa Rica - can fund innovations in production, processing, certification, or market access.

To be eligible, you must be a Costa Rican-registered company. You should be an active exporter or have export-ready products. Your project must focus on innovation that drives international competitiveness.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Connect every activity to export outcomes. Reviewers evaluate based on export impact, not general business improvement. Make explicit connections between proposed activities and international market success.

Quantify the export opportunity. Vague claims about large markets dont impress. Provide specific analysis of target markets, customer segments, competitive positioning, and realistic export projections.

Demonstrate existing export capability or readiness. Companies with established export operations or clear paths to export have stronger applications than those with only domestic experience.

Show you understand your target markets. Evidence of market research, customer relationships, channel development, or regulatory understanding demonstrates serious export commitment.

Budget realistically for innovation activities. Reviewers know what development, certification, and market entry activities cost. Budgets that are too low or too high relative to proposed activities raise questions.

Include matching commitment clearly. Most grants require company contribution alongside government funding. Document your capacity and commitment to match.

Align with Costa Ricas export strengths. Projects in sectors where Costa Rica has established competitive advantage - medical devices, IT services, tropical products, sustainable goods - may receive favorable consideration.

Engage PROCOMER before the deadline. Their team can advise on program fit, application requirements, and how to strengthen your proposal. Dont wait until the last week.

Application Timeline

Working backward from the October 31, 2025 deadline, heres a realistic preparation schedule.

Now through July 2025: Define your innovation project in detail. What exactly will you develop? How does it connect to export competitiveness? What activities, resources, and timeline are required?

July - August 2025: Develop your full application. Prepare project descriptions, export market analysis, activity plans, budgets, and supporting documentation.

August - September 2025: Engage with PROCOMER for preliminary review if available. Get feedback on your application and revise based on input.

September - October 2025: Finalize your application. Ensure all documentation is complete, budgets are accurate, and the export connection is clear throughout.

Before October 31, 2025: Submit well ahead of the deadline. Last-minute technical problems or missing documents can disqualify otherwise strong applications.

Required Materials

Company information: Registration documents, financial statements, and evidence of export activity or export readiness.

Project description: Detailed explanation of proposed innovation activities, expected outcomes, and connection to export competitiveness.

Export strategy: Analysis of target international markets, customer segments, competitive positioning, and go-to-market approach.

Activity plan: Specific activities, milestones, timeline, and deliverables for the project period.

Budget breakdown: Detailed costs for each activity with justification. Clear distinction between grant request and company matching contribution.

Team information: Personnel who will execute the project with relevant experience and capabilities.

Supporting evidence: Customer relationships, market research, prior export success, or other evidence strengthening your export case.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Export impact (35%): How significant is the export opportunity? How clearly does the project drive international competitiveness? What’s the realistic export growth potential?

Innovation quality (25%): Does the project represent genuine innovation? Will it create meaningful competitive advantage? Is the development approach sound?

Execution capability (20%): Can this company execute the proposed project? Do they have relevant experience and resources? Is the timeline realistic?

Market understanding (15%): Does the applicant understand their target export markets? Is there evidence of customer relationships or market research? Is the go-to-market approach credible?

Sustainability (5%): Will benefits continue beyond the grant period? Is there a path to sustained export growth?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Domestic focus with export mention: Projects primarily about domestic operations that add an export angle as an afterthought. The export connection must be central.

Weak market analysis: Claiming you’ll export without demonstrating understanding of target markets, customer needs, or competitive dynamics.

Unrealistic export projections: Fantasy numbers about international sales without foundation in market research or customer relationships.

Innovation disconnected from competitiveness: Technical projects that don’t clearly improve your ability to compete in export markets.

Missing matching commitment: Not documenting your company’s contribution or capacity to match grant funding.

Last-minute applications: Rushing to submit incomplete applications before the deadline. Start early and submit complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much matching is required? Requirements vary by activity type and company size. Expect to contribute 30-50% of project costs from company resources.

Can startups apply? Generally, companies need established operations and either export history or clear export readiness. Pure startups without products or export capability typically dont fit.

What sectors are eligible? Most export sectors qualify, but programs may have priority areas. Manufacturing, technology services, agribusiness, and creative industries are typically included.

Can I apply for multiple projects? Check current program rules. Some programs allow multiple applications; others limit companies to one project.

What if my project takes longer than expected? Extensions may be possible but arent guaranteed. Build realistic timelines from the start.

Do I need export history? Not necessarily, but you need demonstrated export readiness. Companies with export track records have stronger applications.

What reporting is required? Regular progress reports during the project, financial documentation of expenses, and final reports on outcomes.

Can I combine this with other funding? Generally yes, but check specific program rules about stacking different funding sources.

How to Apply

Ready to pursue PROCOMER Innovation Fund support? Heres how to proceed.

Start by confirming your project qualifies - Costa Rican registration, export orientation, and innovation focus are essential requirements.

Review PROCOMERs current program guidelines and any updates to requirements or priorities.

Engage with PROCOMER early if possible. Their team can advise on fit, requirements, and how to strengthen your application.

Develop your application systematically, with particular attention to the export connection and market analysis. These are where many applications fall short.

Secure and document your matching commitment before applying. Reviewers need confidence you can contribute your share.

Submit well before the October 31, 2025 deadline to avoid last-minute problems.

For complete guidelines, application forms, and contact information: https://www.procomer.com/

Questions about program fit or specific requirements? PROCOMERs export promotion team can discuss whether your project aligns with Innovation Fund criteria and how to position your application effectively.