How to choose an EU funding consultant.
Eight questions worth asking any consultant for grants, tax relief and subsidised loans. For each one, we say how we do it.
Updated October 2026.
in funding approved for client projects
of submitted projects have been approved
years of founder experience in project preparation and implementation
Eight questions before you choose.
Can they show verifiable references?
A consultant who has already been through the same call knows how it is scored and where applications fail. Ask for cases with the client's name, amount and programme, not just a list of logos.
With us: Public case studies published with our clients' consent, with the amount and programme: AD Plastik, Nanobit, OMEGA, Flaster Media, Suntec and END2END. In total €9M+ in funding approved for client projects, and 90+% of submitted projects have been approved.
Have they worked with companies your size?
Different rules apply to large enterprises: size is assessed together with linked and partner enterprises, aid intensities are lower and some calls are open only to small and medium-sized enterprises.
With us: We work with small and medium-sized companies and with large enterprises. Our clients include the large enterprises AD Plastik and Nanobit, as well as a large industrial manufacturer. What is available to large enterprises →
Is the fee model clear?
You should know what you pay and when: how much is fixed, what depends on success and whether implementation is included. This belongs in the quote before work starts.
With us: A quote has up to three parts: a fixed fee for preparing the application, a success fee paid only if the project is approved, and a fee for implementation if you engage us for it. The first call and initial assessment are free.
Will they tell you if the project has no chance?
The most expensive application is one that never had a chance. A good consultant checks the conditions and evidence before quoting and says if the project is not ready or does not fit the call.
With us: You get a written assessment within 48 hours. If we judge that a project does not have a high chance of approval, we say so straight away and do not start preparation.
Do they also handle implementation?
Approval is only the start. Procurement, payment claims, reports and obligations follow for years, and a mistake in implementation can mean repaying the grant.
With us: We also manage implementation: procurement, payment claims, contract amendments, indicators and communication with the implementing bodies. One example is the ZPU project for END2END, completed with the employment obligation met. How we manage implementation →
Who will actually work on your project?
Ask who writes the application, who answers clarification requests and who manages implementation. It is worth meeting these people before you sign.
With us: The team you meet on the first call works on your project: Vedran Kulić (Master's in Finance, FMVA, experience at PwC and Apsolon), Matea Kogoj Kulić (application quality control) and Lea Marinić. Meet the team →
Do they cover every type of funding?
The same project sometimes works better through a tax relief or a loan with a partial principal write-off than through a grant call. A consultant who works with only one type will not suggest that.
With us: Grants, R&D and investment tax relief (ZPU), and HBOR and HAMAG loans, in one assessment.
How much of your time will it take?
Preparing an application needs data and decisions only you have. Ask up front how many hours your team will need to put in, and at which stages.
With us: For a full application we expect around 18 hours of your time: an operational meeting (2 h), documentation (8 h) and reviewing and commenting on the application (8 h).
Warning signs.
If you notice any of these, ask for an explanation before you sign.
- They guarantee approval or the grant amount. The competent authority always decides on the award.
- They cannot show a single case with the client's name, amount and programme.
- They do not ask about the financing structure and own contribution, which both the application and implementation depend on.
- They suggest applying without checking the company's eligibility, the costs and the project start date.
- They cannot say who will write the application and who will manage implementation.
Frequently asked questions.
How much does an EU funding consultant cost?
It depends on project complexity, the number of partners and the volume of documentation. With us, a quote has up to three parts: a fixed fee for preparing the application, a success fee paid only if the project is approved, and a fee for implementation if you engage us for it. The first call and initial assessment are free, and the final fee is agreed before work starts.
Can a consultant guarantee approval?
No. The competent authority decides on the award. Before applying, a consultant can assess the conditions, evidence and risks and tell you if the project does not have good prospects. Results of previous projects are no guarantee for a new application.
Do you work with large enterprises?
Yes. Our clients include the large enterprises AD Plastik and Nanobit, as well as a large industrial manufacturer. For large companies we check R&D and investment tax relief, HBOR loans and grant calls in which large enterprises are eligible.
When should we contact a consultant?
Before the investment or development starts. Most instruments require you to apply before the project starts. For the first call it is enough to know what you are planning, the approximate investment amount and your target timeline.
Do we need a consultant if we have our own finance team?
Your team knows the business and the numbers; a consultant knows the call rules, scoring and implementation. You make the business and technical decisions, and we link the concept, cost estimate and evidence to the funding rules and manage deadlines and preparation.
Explore available funding opportunities.
Tell us about your plans. In just 15 minutes, we'll identify the funding opportunities that may be suitable for your project and outline the next steps.