State development banks · development loans by federal state
Development Loans From the State Development Banks
L-Bank, NRW.BANK, LfA, IFB, and others: every federal state has its own funding programs. We select the suitable ones, combine them with KfW funds, and prepare your application to be bankable.
16
State development banks
500+
Start-ups
4.9
on Google
Since 2018
Experience
- The suitable state development bank & programs for each federal state
- Combination with KfW development loans
- Prepared to be bankable, all the way to the bank meeting
- Free & non-binding
- Reply within 24 hours
- No obligation
Qualifications & experience
Your project in experienced hands.
Our credentials and track record at a glance.
4.88 / 5
92 reviews on ProvenExpert
As of September 2026
750+
business plans written
Since 2018
Registration
BAFA register of consultants
Pavel Deuble, management consultant
Consultant ID 191790
What does this mean for you?
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). Pavel Deuble, consultant ID 191790. Your BAFA-funded consulting must be provided by a listed consultant.
Provider approval
AZAV-approved provider
UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, our sister company
AZAV provider approval Z-000392-2
What does this mean for you?
AVGS programs may only be delivered by approved providers. Our sister company UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, Leverkusen, takes care of this.
Our service
KfW financing support
We put together the documents for your loan application, which your house bank forwards to KfW, and prepare you for the bank meeting.
In practice: Since 2018 we have written more than 750 business plans. 99% of the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) applications we supported were approved (internally documented). The start-up grant is a discretionary benefit under § 93 SGB III; the Employment Agency decides on approval.
Track record & funding notes
Listed in the BAFA register of consultants; AVGS programs through the AZAV-certified provider UW Unternehmensweg GmbH
4.88 out of 5 on ProvenExpert
Based on 92 reviews on ProvenExpert (as of October 2026).
What Are State Development Banks?
Alongside the nationwide KfW, every federal state has its own development bank. They complement KfW with regional programs: from low-interest loans for founding and investment to microloans, guarantees, and equity capital.
Which bank and which program suit you depends on your federal state, your stage, and your project. This is exactly where we come in: we know the regional building blocks and combine them sensibly with KfW funds.
How We Support You
- Selecting the suitable state development bank and programs for your federal state
- Combination with KfW development loans and grants
- Bankable business plan and financial plan
- Preparation via the house bank principle (Hausbankprinzip) and support through the bank meeting
Personal Consulting, No Call Center
You have a dedicated contact person who knows your project and accompanies you from the first idea to implementation. On an equal footing, transparent, and tailored to your situation.
- A dedicated consultant instead of changing case handlers
- Bank-tested documents that meet funding requirements
- Support all the way to the meeting with the bank or authority
The State Development Banks at a Glance
Every federal state has its own development bank, with its own programs for founding, investment, and growth.
Baden-Württemberg
L-Bank
The state’s development bank: low-interest financing for founding, growth, and investment.
Bavaria
LfA Förderbank Bayern
Start-up, universal, and investment loans as well as guarantees for Bavarian businesses.
Berlin
Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)
Microloan, growth programs, and the GründungsBONUS Plus (up to €50,000 grant) for founders in Berlin.
Brandenburg
Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB)
Loans, grants, and equity investments for founding and growth in Brandenburg.
Bremen
Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB)
Development loans, microloans, and guarantees for Bremen and Bremerhaven.
Hamburg
IFB Hamburg
Hamburg’s investment and development bank: loans and grants for founding and investment.
Hesse
WIBank
Economic and Infrastructure Bank of Hesse (Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen): microloans, loans, and guarantees.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Landesförderinstitut M-V (LFI)
Development loans and grants for founding, investment, and growth in M-V.
Lower Saxony
NBank
Lower Saxony’s investment and development bank: microloans, loans, and consulting funding.
North Rhine-Westphalia
NRW.BANK
Low-interest loans, microloans, and equity investments for founders and mid-sized businesses.
Rhineland-Palatinate
ISB
Rhineland-Palatinate’s investment and structure bank (Investitions- und Strukturbank): loans, guarantees, and equity investments.
Saarland
SIKB
Saarländische Investitionskreditbank: development loans and guarantees for Saarland.
Saxony
Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)
Loans and grants for founding and investment in Saxony.
Saxony-Anhalt
Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt (IB)
Development loans, microloans, and guarantees for Saxony-Anhalt.
Schleswig-Holstein
IB.SH
Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein: founding, investment, and growth funding.
Thuringia
Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)
Development loans, grants, and equity investments for businesses in Thuringia.
Points of contact
Key Points of Contact for Business Financing
These institutions are relevant for financing your project, from the development bank and the guarantee bank to the house bank. We know the requirements of all of them and prepare your application accordingly.
KfW – Germany’s federal development bank
Low-interest development loans for founding, investment, and growth (e.g., ERP development loan for SMEs). Applications are submitted through your house bank.
State development banks
Regional development loans, grants, and guarantees for each federal state: NRW.BANK, L-Bank, LfA Bayern, IBB, IFB, and others.
Development bank by federal state · You are here
Guarantee banks
Default guarantees (up to 80%) if you lack standard bank collateral. Each federal state has its own guarantee bank.
Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG, SME equity investment companies)
Silent partnership capital and mezzanine capital to strengthen your equity base, available in every federal state.
BAFA
Grant toward consulting costs through the “Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows” program (funding of entrepreneurial know-how): 50% to 80% depending on where your company is based, application before consulting begins.
Federal funding database (Förderdatenbank des Bundes)
Official directory of all funding programs of the federal government, the states, and the EU, searchable by project and region.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) & Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer)
Free initial advice, financing consultation days, and, for funding applications, the expert opinion (fachkundige Stellungnahme) on viability.
House bank (Sparkasse, Volksbank, or commercial bank)
The first point of contact for financing: development loans run through the house bank principle, so the house bank reviews the application and passes it on to the development bank.
We put together the right funding mix for you. KfW, state development bank, guarantee, equity stake, or house bank loan: we choose the right combination and prepare your application to be bankable.
Official Sources, Information Sheets & Flyers
The authoritative primary sources to read up on: information sheets and program pages of the responsible funding bodies, as well as the relevant legal texts.
External links to official bodies, checked on June 19, 2026. Content and terms may change; the source itself is always authoritative.
Video testimonials
First-Hand Experiences
See how founders experienced the path to funded self-employment, with real names and verifiable on request.
4.9 / 5 · 65 Google reviews
In 30 minutes we answer all your questions, free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About State Development Banks
What is the difference between KfW and a state development bank?
KfW provides funding nationwide, and the state development banks complement it with regional programs of their federal state. The two can often be combined, and we put together the right mix.
Which state development bank is responsible for me?
What matters is the registered office of your company, for example L-Bank in Baden-Württemberg, NRW.BANK in NRW, or LfA in Bavaria. We assign your project to the right bank and the suitable program.
How do I apply for development loans from the state development bank?
Usually through the house bank principle (Hausbankprinzip): your bank reviews and forwards the application. We prepare the concept and documents to be bankable and accompany you to the meeting.
The Suitable Development Bank for Your Project
In the free initial consultation we find the right state development bank and the suitable program for your federal state.