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Incentivo Especial para Actividades de Mercadeo Local y al Exterior
General · Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) · PR
The Incentivo Especial para Actividades de Mercadeo Local y al Exterior is a Puerto Rico DDEC grant that reimburses 50% of eligible marketing expenses, up to $10,000, for small locally-owned businesses with $3 million or less in sales and 25 or fewer employees.
The Incentivo Especial para Actividades de Mercadeo Local y al Exterior is a reimbursement grant program run by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). It is designed to help small, locally-owned businesses (PyMEs) offset the cost of marketing their products and services, both within Puerto Rico and abroad.
Under this program, DDEC reimburses 50% of eligible marketing expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000, over an 18-month term. Eligible expenses include things like building or improving a website, digital advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), social media campaigns, and participation in product exhibitions or trade shows.
This grant matters to small-business owners in Puerto Rico because marketing budgets are often one of the first casualties of tight cash flow, yet visibility is essential for growth, particularly for businesses trying to reach customers outside the island. By covering half the cost, DDEC lowers the barrier for smaller companies to invest in professional marketing efforts they might otherwise delay or skip entirely.
The program is limited to locally-owned small and medium businesses meeting specific size thresholds, and it excludes certain industries such as real estate investment, gasoline and alcohol retail, and adult entertainment, as well as businesses already benefiting from Act 60 tax incentives.
As with many government incentive programs, application rounds and specific award terms can change from year to year. Business owners interested in this grant should confirm the current application window, exact reimbursement terms, and any updated eligibility requirements directly with DDEC before applying, since program details are subject to periodic revision.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a grant — specifically a reimbursement of eligible marketing expenses, not a loan that needs repayment.
Do I have to repay the money?
No, this is a reimbursement grant and does not need to be repaid.
How much money can I get?
DDEC reimburses 50% of eligible marketing expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000, over an 18-month term.
What expenses are covered?
Eligible costs include websites, digital advertising, SEO, social media, and product exhibitions.
Who is eligible?
Locally-owned PyMEs in Puerto Rico with average sales of $3,000,000 or less and 25 or fewer full-time employees.
Are any businesses excluded?
Yes — real-estate investors, gasoline/alcohol retailers, adult entertainment businesses, and Act 60 grantees are excluded.
What is the deadline to apply?
The listing says to check current rounds; confirm the current deadline at the official DDEC source.
Who runs this program?
The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).
Is this available outside Puerto Rico?
No, it is limited to businesses eligible under Puerto Rico's DDEC programs (PR only).
Is the reimbursement taxable?
Confirm at the source — this is not specified in the available information.
Where do I apply?
Applications are handled through the official DDEC page at https://www.desarrollo.pr.gov/en/incentivo-pymes.
How long does the reimbursement period last?
The grant covers eligible marketing expenses over an 18-month term.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official territory source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.