Startup programmes in Germany

EXIST Business Start-up Grant

EXIST-Gründungsstipendium

the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, with the European Social Fund

• Supports start-up ideas from research and science, from universities and research institutions, before the company is founded.
• Support runs for 12 months while the team prepares to found the company.
• Applications go through a university or research institution.

Good to know: The monthly stipend depends on the founder's qualification. See the official page for the amounts.

Official page · www.exist.de

INVEST Venture Capital Grant

INVEST Zuschuss für Wagniskapital

the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA)

• A grant to private investors, mainly business angels, who buy shares in a young company: they receive 15% of the issue price of their shares.
• Per company, investments of up to €3 million a calendar year can be supported; the minimum investment is €10,000.
• For companies under 7 years old with fewer than 50 full time staff and turnover or total assets of €10 million or less.

Good to know: The grant goes to the investor, not to the startup.

Official page · www.bafa.de

ERP Start-up Loan StartGeld

ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld (067)

KfW, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

• A loan of up to €200,000, of which up to €80,000 can be working capital.
• For founders and young companies trading for less than 5 years, with the seat and the investment in Germany.
• KfW takes on 80% of the credit risk. You apply through your own bank.

Official page · www.kfw.de