The Business Start scheme saw 62 start-ups receive a total of €1.5 million in grants between 2015 and 2020.

PN MP Jason Azzopardi asked a Parliamentary Question to Enterprise and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, asking her to provide a list of grants aimed at new and innovative companies, especially those in the technology and e-commerce sectors. He also asked the minister to provide information with regard to the funds awarded.

Minister Dalli mentioned Business Start (2015-2020) which provides seed funding up to a maximum of €25,000.

Between 2017 and 2020, the Corporation approved €1.5 million in grants to 62 start-ups, the minister said. 19 of these companies operate in the technology or e-commerce sectors.

In 2017, €500,000 was awarded, in 2018 €375,000, in 2019 €175,000 and in 2020 €500,000 was awarded.

The minister also mentioned Start-up Finance (2018-2020), which dealt with mezzanine financing that will be paid back depending on how much profit an enterprise makes. From 2017 to 2020, the Corporation approved €4 million in assistance that paid to 10 companies, seven of which operate in the technology and e-commerce sectors. In 2018 €200,000 was awarded, in 2019 €200,000 was awarded and in 2020 €3,600,000 was awarded.

Lastly, the minister mentioned Start-up Advance (2018-2020), which finances the development of new enterprises tied to the amount of jobs. Between 2017 and 2020, the Corporation approved €650,000 in grants to seven companies, two of which operate in the technology and e-commerce sector.

In 2019, €146,000 was approved and in 2020, €499,000 was approved.