Tool · Funding
Funding Finder
Three details are enough: where is your business, what situation are you in, and what do you need the funding for? The finder shows suitable programs from the federal government and all 16 states, for start-ups as well as existing businesses, with funding amount, requirements, and application route.
Reviewed by Pavel Deuble
Start-up consultant & BAFA-registered business consultant
- Approx. 18 min read
- Last updated:
Free initial consultation
Let's talk about your project.
In 30 minutes we clarify your questions and the right next step.
30 minutes · free · no obligation
34 matching programs
Program names stay in German because you apply under that name.
GRW – Gewerbliche Investitionsförderung (regionale Wirtschaftsstruktur)
Regional investment grant (federal/state)
Federal states / federal government (joint task)
- Funding amount
- Investment grant for establishing or expanding business premises in structurally weak funding areas; amount depends on region, company size, and jobs.
- Requirements
- Investment project in a designated GRW funding area, supra-regional sales, creation or safeguarding of permanent jobs. Application before the project starts.
- Documents
- Application to the responsible state funding agency, investment and financing plan, jobs plan.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the GRW approval authority of the federal state (development bank/state authority).
Bürgschaft ohne Bank (BoB) / Bürgschaftsbanken
Loan guarantees when collateral is lacking
Bürgschaftsbanken (guarantee banks) of the federal states
- Funding amount
- Default guarantees, usually up to 80% of the loan amount, up to €1.25 million (in some cases up to €2.5 million), if standard bank collateral is lacking.
- Requirements
- Viable project lacking collateral. With BoB, the entrepreneur applies directly, before the meeting with the bank.
- Documents
- Application to the Bürgschaftsbank (directly or via your house bank), business plan, financing plan, overview of collateral.
- How to apply
- Via your house bank (Hausbank) or as “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (guarantee without a bank) directly with the Bürgschaftsbank of the federal state.
Mikromezzaninfonds Deutschland
Silent partnership capital for small businesses
Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG, SME equity investment companies) of the federal states
- Funding amount
- Silent partnership of up to €50,000 (up to €150,000 for certain target groups) to strengthen economic equity, without additional collateral.
- Requirements
- Small companies and start-ups, especially businesses founded out of vocational training or unemployment, and businesses that train apprentices.
- Documents
- Application to the MBG of the respective federal state, business plan, financial planning, annual financial statements/planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft of the federal state (no need to go through your house bank).
Förderung beruflicher Weiterbildung Beschäftigter (Qualifizierungschancengesetz)
Funding for continuing vocational training of employees
Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)
- Funding amount
- Grant towards course fees depending on company size: fewer than 50 employees up to 100%, 50 to 499 employees 50%, 500 or more employees 25%. In addition, a wage subsidy of 75%, 50%, or 25%. With a works agreement or collective agreement on continuing education, plus 5 percentage points in each case; without a vocational qualification, wage subsidy of up to 100%; in companies with fewer than 500 employees, for employees aged 45 or older or with a severe disability, up to 100% of the course fees.
- Requirements
- Existing employment relationship. Vocational qualification usually at least 2 years ago, no continuing vocational training funded under § 82 SGB III in the last 2 years, course of more than 120 hours, approved provider and approved course (AZAV).
- Documents
- Application by the employer to the Employer Service of the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) before the training starts, course offer, list of employees.
- How to apply
- Application by the employer to the Employer Service of the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit).
Bundesförderung Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz in der Wirtschaft (EEW)
Grants and loans for energy-efficient investments
BAFA (grant) / KfW (loan)
- Funding amount
- Grant or low-interest loan with a repayment grant. Funding rates between 10% and 60% of eligible investment costs, depending on module and company size (six modules, including systems, process heat, and optimization).
- Requirements
- Companies investing in energy- and resource-efficient technologies and processes. Application before the project starts.
- Documents
- Application via the Förderzentrale Deutschland (grant) or via your house bank (loan), project description, savings calculation, quotes.
- How to apply
- Grant option via BAFA/the Förderzentrale; loan option (KfW) via your house bank (Hausbank).
Mittelstand-Digital Zentren (Nachfolge von go-digital)
Free digitalization support for SMEs
BMWE (federal economics ministry) – nationwide network
- Funding amount
- Free workshops, demonstrations, AI and digitalization consulting through around 30 centers nationwide (non-cash support instead of a payout).
- Requirements
- Small and medium-sized enterprises and skilled trades that want to digitalize. No formal funding amount; free support.
- Documents
- Direct contact with the regionally responsible Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum; no funding application needed.
- How to apply
- Registration with the regional center via the Mittelstand-Digital platform.
ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung & Innovation
Low-interest loan for digitalization and innovation
KfW (via your house bank)
- Funding amount
- Low-interest loan for digitalization and innovation projects (hardware/software, digital business models, AI). Microloans from €25,000, up to €25 million per project, up to 3 repayment-free years (terms as of 2026).
- Requirements
- Established companies, young companies, and freelancers. Documented financing meeting with your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts; application within 3 months of the project start.
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank), project description, investment/financing plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
INVEST – Zuschuss für Wagniskapital
Grant for business angel investors
BAFA
- Funding amount
- 20% acquisition grant for private investors (business angels) plus exit grant; from the company’s point of view, an attractive source of equity.
- Requirements
- Young, innovative corporation (usually < 7 years old, < 50 employees), registered office in the EEA with a branch in Germany, innovative sector. The investor acquires new shares, minimum holding period 3 years.
- Documents
- Certificate of eligibility for the company from BAFA, investment agreement, investor’s application.
- How to apply
- The company applies to BAFA for eligibility; after investing, the investor submits the grant application.
Forschungszulage (steuerliche FuE-Förderung)
Tax credit for research and development
BSFZ (certificate) + tax office
- Funding amount
- 25% of R&D expenses (SME bonus: 35%). From 2026, up to €12 million assessment basis = up to €3.0 million (standard) or €4.2 million (SMEs) per year, plus a 20% overhead flat rate.
- Requirements
- All companies liable to tax in Germany, regardless of size or legal form, with in-house or contract research. Not tied to any sector.
- Documents
- Two stages: application for a certificate from the BSFZ (review of the R&D content), then application to the tax office with the certificate and proof of expenses.
- How to apply
- Apply for the certificate from the BSFZ, then assessment by the tax office (offset against tax or paid out).
ZIM – Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand
Federal grants for SME research projects
BMWE (federal economics ministry) / project management agency
- Funding amount
- Non-repayable grant of up to 60% of eligible costs for R&D projects. For individual projects, eligible costs of up to €690,000 per company; for cooperation projects, up to €560,000 per sub-project (guideline V5, valid from 2025).
- Requirements
- SMEs with up to 499 (in some cases 999) employees, market-oriented R&D on new products or processes. Open to all technologies. Application before the project starts.
- Documents
- Online outline/application to the ZIM project management agency, project description, cost and work plan, cooperation agreement if applicable.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the responsible ZIM project management agency; approval before the project starts.
EXIST-Gründungsstipendium
Scholarship for university-based start-ups
BMWE (federal economics ministry) / Projektträger Jülich (via the university)
- Funding amount
- Monthly scholarship: students €1,000, graduates €2,500, PhD holders €3,000, team members with vocational training €2,000 (+€150 per child). In addition, material costs up to €10,000 (individual) / €30,000 (team) and coaching up to €5,000.
- Requirements
- Innovative, technology-oriented, or knowledge-based start-up idea with a link to a university or research institution. Team of up to 3 people. A university or research institution must be involved as the applicant.
- Documents
- Application via the university (start-up service), idea paper/business plan outline, CVs, mentor’s commitment.
- How to apply
- Apply through the university’s start-up service; the university submits the application and manages the funds.
ERP-Kapital für Gründung (058)
Subordinated loan to strengthen equity
KfW (via your house bank)
- Funding amount
- Subordinated loan to strengthen the equity base (liable like equity), without collateral.
- Requirements
- Start-up or consolidation up to 3 years after starting the business. Adequate own funds (usually at least 10%). Full-time business.
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before starting, business plan, proof of own funds, capital requirements and profitability plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
ERP-Förderkredit KMU / Gründerkredit – Universell
KfW loan for start-ups and SMEs
KfW (via your house bank)
- Funding amount
- Investments and working capital, loan amounts in the millions, long terms, partial liability exemption possible. Better terms in the first years after founding.
- Requirements
- Founders and established SMEs based in Germany. Creditworthiness assessed by your house bank (Hausbank).
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts, investment/financing plan, annual financial statements or projections, business plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld (067)
KfW start-up loan for smaller amounts
KfW (via your house bank)
- Funding amount
- Up to €200,000 (since December 1, 2025; previously €125,000), of which up to €80,000 for working capital. 80% liability exemption for your house bank (Hausbank), up to 2 repayment-free years.
- Requirements
- Business founders, freelancers, and young companies up to 5 years after founding; also as a side business (with the aim of a full-time business). Credit check by your house bank (Hausbank).
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts, business plan, capital requirements and profitability planning, CV, personal financial disclosure.
- How to apply
- House bank principle: application via your own bank or savings bank, which passes the KfW loan on to you.
Einstiegsgeld bei Selbstständigkeit (§ 16b SGB II)
Jobcenter entry allowance for founders
Jobcenter
- Funding amount
- Grant in addition to basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld), amount and duration at the Jobcenter’s discretion (usually up to 24 months); funding for material costs of up to €5,000 also possible.
- Requirements
- Receipt of basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, SGB II), starting self-employment as the main occupation, viability of the project.
- Documents
- Application to the Jobcenter, business plan/proof of viability, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Application to the responsible Jobcenter before starting self-employment.
Gründungszuschuss (§ 93 SGB III)
Start-up grant from the Employment Agency
Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)
- Funding amount
- Phase 1 (6 months): your previous unemployment benefit (ALG I) + €300/month for social security. Phase 2 (9 months): €300/month with proof of business activity. Discretionary benefit (Ermessensleistung).
- Requirements
- Receipt of unemployment benefit I (ALG I) with at least 150 days of remaining entitlement when starting self-employment, activity as the main occupation, personal and professional suitability, viability certificate from a qualified body (fachkundige Stelle).
- Documents
- Application to the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), business plan, viability certificate (IHK, HWK, tax advisor, bank), business registration/tax office registration, CV, proof of qualifications.
- How to apply
- Application to the responsible Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) before or immediately after starting self-employment.
Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein – AVGS (Gründungscoaching)
Voucher for fully funded start-up coaching
Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) / Jobcenter (§ 45 SGB III)
- Funding amount
- 100% of the coaching costs covered by the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter after written approval; no personal contribution.
- Requirements
- Unemployed or at risk of unemployment / registered as a jobseeker. Issued at the discretion of the caseworker. Program with an AZAV-certified provider.
- Documents
- AVGS voucher from the caseworker, provider’s program offer, start-up concept if applicable; billing via the provider.
- How to apply
- Apply for the voucher at the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter, then redeem it with a certified coaching provider.
Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows (BAFA)
Grant for business consulting costs
BAFA – Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control
- Funding amount
- Grant towards consulting costs. Uniform assessment basis of €3,500 per consultation (from 2026 on a gross basis). Funding rate 50% (max. €1,750) or 80% (max. €2,800) in structurally weak regions.
- Requirements
- SME definition (EU), registered office/business premises in Germany, commercial or freelance. Separate variants for young companies, established companies, and companies in difficulty.
- Documents
- Online application in the BAFA portal before the consulting starts, consultant from the BAFA register of consultants; after the consulting, proof of use, consulting report, and invoice.
- How to apply
- Online application to BAFA, consulting by a listed consultant, payout after proof of use.
Thüringen-Dynamik, Thüringen-Invest & Gründerförderung
State loans and grants in Thuringia
Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)
- Funding amount
- Thüringen-Dynamik (low-interest loans for investments/working capital), Thüringen-Invest (grant for small companies); in addition, guarantees and equity investments.
- Requirements
- Founders and SMEs with projects in Thuringia.
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the TAB, business plan, investment/financing plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle (via your own bank) or direct application to the TAB.
Mikrokredit & Startkapital Schleswig-Holstein
State microloans and start-up capital in Schleswig-Holstein
Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH)
- Funding amount
- Mikrokredit Schleswig-Holstein and Startkapital programs for start-up and consolidation; in addition, equity investments and consulting.
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Schleswig-Holstein.
- Documents
- Application to the IB.SH, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the IB.SH or via your house bank (Hausbank).
ego.-START & IB-Gründungsdarlehen Sachsen-Anhalt
State start-up support and start-up loans in Saxony-Anhalt
Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt
- Funding amount
- ego.-Existenzgründungsoffensive (consulting, coaching, start-up transfer); IB-Gründungsdarlehen 2021-2027 (start-up loan) for founders and young companies (€10,000 to €500,000).
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Documents
- Application to the Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the IB Sachsen-Anhalt or via regional partners (ego.).
Gründungs- und Wachstumsfinanzierung Sachsen
State start-up and growth financing in Saxony
Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)
- Funding amount
- SAB start-up and growth financing, Mikrodarlehen Sachsen (microloans) for small projects; e-business/digitalization and innovation grants.
- Requirements
- Founders and SMEs with projects in Saxony.
- Documents
- Application to the SAB, business plan, financing plan.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the SAB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Startkapital & Mikrodarlehen Saarland
State start-up capital and microloans in Saarland
Saarländische Investitionskreditbank (SIKB)
- Funding amount
- Startkapital programs and Mikrodarlehen Saar (microloans) for start-up and consolidation; equity investments via Saarland’s investment companies.
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Saarland.
- Documents
- Application to the SIKB, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the SIKB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
ISB Mittelstandskredit Rheinland-Pfalz
State loan for start-ups and growth in Rhineland-Palatinate
Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB)
- Funding amount
- ISB Mittelstandskredit (loan for SMEs, 665/667) for start-up and growth; in addition, guarantees.
- Requirements
- Founders, freelancers, and SMEs with projects in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the ISB, business plan, financing plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle: application through your house bank (Hausbank) to the ISB.
Gründerstipendium NRW & NRW.BANK-Förderung
Founder scholarship and state loans in North Rhine-Westphalia
NRW.BANK / State of NRW
- Funding amount
- Gründungsstipendium.NRW: €1,200/month per person, for up to 12 months (teams of up to 3 people). In addition, NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum (start-up and growth loan), NRW.Mikrodarlehen (microloan; up to €50,000, without collateral), and growth programs.
- Requirements
- Scholarship: innovative business idea, very early stage, support from a start-up network in NRW. Loans for founders/SMEs based in NRW.
- Documents
- Scholarship via a participating start-up network (idea paper, pitch); loans via your house bank (Hausbank) or NRW.BANK with a business plan.
- How to apply
- Scholarship via a regional start-up network; loans via the house bank principle (through your own bank).
MikroSTARTer Niedersachsen
State microloan for start-ups in Lower Saxony
NBank (Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen)
- Funding amount
- MikroSTARTer Niedersachsen: loan of €5,000 to €40,000 for start-up and consolidation; in addition, funded consulting.
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Lower Saxony.
- Documents
- Application to the NBank, business plan, financing plan.
- How to apply
- Direct application through the NBank customer portal.
Mikrodarlehen & Beteiligungen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
State microloans and equity investments in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Landesförderinstitut MV / GSA mbH
- Funding amount
- Microloans for start-ups and small projects; silent partnerships via the state’s investment companies.
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- Documents
- Application to the LFI/GSA, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the state’s funding agencies.
Gründungs- und Wachstumsfinanzierung Hessen (GuW)
State start-up and growth loans in Hesse
WIBank (Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen)
- Funding amount
- GuW Hessen: low-interest loans with liability exemption for start-up, growth, and succession; in addition, microloans for small projects.
- Requirements
- Founders, freelancers, and SMEs with projects in Hesse. House bank principle (application via your own bank).
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before starting, business plan, investment/financing plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle via your own bank; some microloans by direct application.
Hamburg-Kredit & InnoFounder
State start-up loans and innovation grants in Hamburg
Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB)
- Funding amount
- Hamburg-Kredit Gründung & Nachfolge (low-interest loans); InnoFounder: grant/scholarship for innovative digital start-ups; further innovation and growth programs.
- Requirements
- Founders and companies based in Hamburg; InnoFounder for innovative projects in the early stage.
- Documents
- Application to the IFB, business plan/concept, financing plan.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the IFB Hamburg or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Gründungs- und Mikrokredite Bremen
State start-up loans and microloans in Bremen
Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB)
- Funding amount
- BAB start-up loans and microloans for investments and working capital in the state of Bremen; additional consulting services.
- Requirements
- Founders and small/medium-sized companies based in Bremen/Bremerhaven.
- Documents
- Application to the BAB, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the BAB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Brandenburg-Kredit für Gründung & Wachstum
State loan for start-ups and growth in Brandenburg
Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB)
- Funding amount
- Brandenburg-Kredit Gründung: low-interest loans for investments and working capital; additional state grant, innovation, and consulting programs.
- Requirements
- Founders and SMEs with projects in Brandenburg, viable concept.
- Documents
- Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the ILB before starting, business plan, financing plan.
- How to apply
- House bank principle (via your own bank) or direct application to the ILB, depending on the program.
GründungsBONUS Plus & Förderkredite Berlin
State start-up grant and loans in Berlin
Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)
- Funding amount
- GründungsBONUS Plus: grant for innovative/sustainable start-ups (up to 50% of the eligible costs, max. €50,000); in addition, IBB development loans, digitalization and coaching programs.
- Requirements
- Young companies and SMEs based in Berlin, with minimum/maximum sizes depending on the program; for the GründungsBONUS Plus, no older than 18 months.
- Documents
- Online application to the IBB, business plan, cost and financing plan.
- How to apply
- Direct application to the IBB or via its program portals.
Gründungs- und Wachstumskredit, Digitalbonus & Gründerförderung Bayern
State start-up loans and digitalization grants in Bavaria
LfA Förderbank Bayern / Free State of Bavaria
- Funding amount
- LfA Gründungs- und Wachstumskredit (GuW) and Gründungskredit Smart (low-interest loans with liability exemption) for start-up, consolidation, and succession; guarantees; Digitalbonus Bayern as a grant for digitalization (Standard up to €7,500, Plus up to €30,000).
- Requirements
- Founders and SMEs with business premises in Bavaria, viable concept. House bank principle for loans (via your own bank); Digitalbonus by direct application before the project starts.
- Documents
- Loan: application via your house bank (Hausbank), business plan, investment/financing plan. Digitalbonus: online application with quotes/project description.
- How to apply
- Loans via the house bank principle (through your own bank); Digitalbonus via the responsible district government (Bezirksregierung).
Gründungs- und Beratungsförderung Baden-Württemberg
State start-up and consulting funding in Baden-Württemberg
L-Bank / Bürgschaftsbank BW
- Funding amount
- L-Bank Startfinanzierung / Gründungsfinanzierung (low-interest loans with liability exemption); ESF consulting vouchers (“Exi-Gründungsgutschein”) for start-up consulting.
- Requirements
- Founders and SMEs with projects in Baden-Württemberg. Consulting by listed consultants, financing via your house bank (Hausbank).
- Documents
- L-Bank funding application via your house bank (Hausbank) or consulting application, business plan, financial planning.
- How to apply
- Financing via your house bank (Hausbank) or the L-Bank, consulting vouchers via the state’s program office.
Related service
BAFA-funded consulting: 50% to 80% grant
BAFA covers 50% to 80% of your consulting costs, depending on company location. We are listed in the BAFA register of consultants and take care of the application and proof of use.
Prefer a Personal Evaluation?
Fill it in within 2 minutes, have your funding potential estimated, and receive a free callback; one of our consultants goes through the programs that suit you with you, step by step.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions About the Funding Finder
Which funding programs does the finder cover?
The finder bundles 34 central programs of the federal government (BAFA, KfW, Employment Agency, ZIM, EXIST, research allowance, and many more) and all 16 state development banks (L-Bank, LfA, IBB, NRW.BANK, NBank …), from consulting through grants and development loans to guarantees and equity investments.
Is the selection binding?
No. The finder is a curated guide. Terms, funding rates, and deadlines change constantly; the linked source of the funding provider is always authoritative. Which programs can actually be combined for your project, we clarify free of charge in the initial consultation.
Can I combine several types of funding?
Often yes, for example funded consulting (BAFA/AVGS) for preparation, a development loan (KfW/state bank) for financing, and a guarantee if collateral is missing. What matters are the cumulation rules and the right order of applications.
I can’t find my program: what now?
The finder shows the most important supra-regional programs. In addition, there are numerous municipal and sector-specific funding pots. Request a personal evaluation or book a free initial consultation, and we will review your specific case.