ICEX Next 2026: Requirements, Deadline and How to Prepare Sales

Published by

David Argüello

CEO of Hurus AI · LinkedIn

ICEX Next funds up to €24,000 for SMEs with their own product and more than €300,000 in revenue the previous year; startups with a product already on the market are exempt from that minimum. According to the official ICEX page, SMEs can register until October 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

First things first: the deadline

• SMEs: registration open until October 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
• Professionals (consultants): until November 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Only a few days are left. Check the official ICEX website before acting, because deadlines can change.

What it is and how much it gives

ICEX Next is the ICEX program that helps Spanish companies design their internationalization plan. It gives up to €24,000 in funding and includes 30 hours of personalized advice to build an international business plan, which can be split between an offline, online or combined strategy.

Can I get in?

• SMEs: revenue above €300,000 in the year before the call.
• Startups: no minimum revenue if they are technology-based and recently created, but with the product already on the market.
• Former participants in the PIPE programs (1997-2012): more than €1.5 million in revenue the previous year.

How to apply

You register in the program. Then, from the private area, you submit the application and the documentation, review the business plan report and track the status of your file.

The part nobody tells you: what happens next

The plan tells you where to sell. But a plan doesn't open conversations. Someone has to write to importers and distributors, follow up and get meetings, and that is weeks of sales work.

Decide now who will do it: your team, a new sales hire or an external sales team like ours. If you leave it until you have the plan, you lose months.

What you can prepare this week

• Your ideal customer: type of importer or distributor, size and who decides.
• The market you want to explore first.
• A short list of target accounts, even a provisional one.

That way you arrive at the advisory sessions with a concrete base. At Hurus, we detect the buying moment and open the conversation with the person who decides. Note: we are not an approved ICEX Next provider.

Frequently asked questions

What revenue do they require? SMEs, more than €300,000 the previous year. Startups are exempt, with a product already on the market. Former PIPE participants (1997-2012) must exceed €1.5 million.

Until when can I apply in 2026? According to the official ICEX page, SMEs until October 30 at 2:00 p.m. and professionals until November 4 at 11:59 p.m.

And after the plan? The program includes 30 hours of advice. The plan tells you where to sell; after that, you have to open the conversations with importers and distributors.

Sources

• ICEX, ICEX Next: the program, accessed October 17, 2026.

Full guide: B2B prospecting for food and beverage manufacturers: 2026 guide

Last reviewed: October 18, 2026.