TilskudTjek
Overview: Why do so many get rejected for Innobooster?
Innobooster is one of Denmark's most popular grant programs, but the competition is fierce. Only about 30-40% of all applications are approved. This means that more than half are rejected — often due to the same mistakes that could have been avoided.
Rejection typically comes from the Innovation Fund's professional assessment committee, which reviews your project based on four criteria: innovation level, value creation, team, and implementation. If you fail on just one of these, it's a no.
1. Operations in budget — The Innovation Fund's biggest "no"
Innobooster is created to support research and development (R&D) — not to pay for your normal operations. If your budget contains items that smell of operations, sales or marketing, you will be rejected immediately.
- Sales activities: Participation in fairs, customer meetings, SEO optimization or outbound sales.
- Normal maintenance: Bug fixing, minor corrections or general operation of your software.
- Market maturation: Production of marketing material or branding strategies.
Solution: Budget only for employee hours that are directly linked to development activities. If you need money for sales, you must find it elsewhere (e.g., via SMV:Digital or own funds).
2. Lack of novelty — "We have seen this before"
Innobooster requires novelty on a national level. It's not enough that your company hasn't built it before — it must be new to the market in Denmark (and preferably internationally).
A new algorithm that solves a complex problem faster than existing solutions has high novelty. Building a standard webshop or an app that resembles competitors' has no novelty.
Innovation Fund Denmark actively checks the market. If there are 3-4 similar solutions, you will be rejected with the reasoning: "Lack of innovation level".
Solution: Conduct a thorough market analysis before the application. Identify your competitors and describe exactly how your solution differs technologically. Use state-of-the-art comparisons.
3. Thematic shoehorn — Trying to fit in
From 2026, Innobooster has four political themes: green technology, life science, critical/digital technologies and defense. Many companies try to force their project into a theme where it doesn't belong.
Solution: Choose the most relevant theme and describe it honestly. If your project is digital, apply under the digital theme. Do not try to "pimp" your application with green or health arguments if they are secondary.
4. Weak team — Lack of execution ability
The Innovation Fund invests in people as much as in ideas. If your team doesn't have the necessary competencies to build the technology and bring it to market, you will be rejected.
Solution: If you don't have the necessary competencies, you must have external partners. Name them in the application and budget for them. A weak team without specialists is a sure rejection reason.
5. No technical uncertainty — "It's just software development"
This is the most difficult reason for many to understand. Innobooster supports projects with technical uncertainty — i.e., where it is not known if it can even be done technologically.
The difference between development and innovation
Solution: Clearly describe the technical risks in the project. What are the biggest technological barriers? Why can't you just buy an off-the-shelf solution? Why is there no software that can do this today?
How to avoid rejection: 3 golden rules
Want to significantly improve your success rate? Here are the three most important pieces of advice from experts who have helped with hundreds of applications.
1. Get sparring at the Business House
It is free and extremely valuable. Business House consultants know the Innovation Fund's requirements and can spot "operations in budget" or "lack of novelty" long before you submit.
2. Write for professionals — not for politicians
Your application is read by experts in your field. Be concrete, use technical terms, and avoid buzzwords. The Innovation Fund hates "disruptive", "revolutionary" and "game-changer" if not backed by facts.
3. Use the official templates
The Innovation Fund has specific requirements for the structure. If you don't follow them, your application becomes difficult to read and risks being rejected immediately. Use the official Word and Excel templates from e-grant.
Re-application: Did you get rejected? Here are your next steps
A rejection is not the end of the world. In fact, many of the most successful projects are only approved after the second or third application. Here is how you handle a rejection professionally.
Read the reasoning thoroughly
You always get a written reasoning. The Innovation Fund is very concrete. If they write "Lack of technical uncertainty", that is where you need to focus.
Book a meeting with an advisor
Take your rejection letter to the Business House or a private grant advisor. Have them read it and help you interpret the reasoning.
Fix the application — and apply again
Submit your improved application in the next pool. Remember to check the dates on innovationsfonden.dk.
Frequently asked questions about Innobooster rejection
Yes — and you should. Most successful projects were rejected the first time. Learn from your mistakes, fix your project, and submit a new application in the next pool.
Innobooster is financed by the state's research funds. Legislation dictates that these funds may only be used for development and innovation — not for commercial operations. Marketing and sales are commercial operations.
Yes. They see hundreds of applications every month and have experts employed within all themes. If you try to call a platform "green" without real content, it will be seen through within minutes.
It depends on the reasoning. If it is "operations in budget", it can be fixed in a few hours. If it is "lack of novelty", it typically requires a deeper market analysis and perhaps an adjustment of your project.
Related guides
Innobooster application 2026: Complete guide
Requirements, template, budget and process step-by-step.
Read guide →SMV:Digital 2026: How to apply
Digitalization voucher — and how to avoid empty pools.
Read guide →The three-layer strategy: Grants + deductions + funds
How to combine all three layers for maximum value.
Read guide →Minimize the risk of rejection with a CVR scan
Our free CVR scan matches your company data against Innobooster eligibility criteria and shows exactly where your weaknesses lie — before you spend 40 hours on the application.
Disclaimer: This guide is general guidance prepared by TilskudTjek. The Innovation Fund's assessments are individual and based on many factors. Always check official sources: innovationsfonden.dk. TilskudTjek is not affiliated with the Innovation Fund. A match from our CVR scan is a qualified indication — not a grant guarantee.