The article provides a comparative analysis of state aid granted to entrepreneurs in Poland and in the European Union. It is mostly focused on aid allocated for horizontal goals, being an effective instrument of stimulating business operators’ competitiveness. An attempt has been made to evaluate the main issues relating to the amount of aid, its appropriation and instruments. An overview of conditions (principles) for receiving state aid allowed to analyze the impact of its particular instruments on companies’ competitiveness. A thesis was formulated that low innovativeness was a major barrier to competitiveness. In view of the above, business operators’ financial support schemes should be aimed at stimulating innovative approaches. Authors’ recommendations concerning changes to be introduced to the Polish system of state aid have also been presented.