Funding in NRW: Programs for Founders

What Funding Is Available for Founders in NRW?

In North Rhine-Westphalia, in addition to federal funding (KfW, start-up grant), there are separate state programs: the NRW.Mikrodarlehen (NRW microloan) and NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum, the Gründungsstipendium.NRW (NRW start-up scholarship), guarantees from Bürgschaftsbank NRW, and free advice at STARTERCENTER NRW.

The key is the combination: state funding (NRW.BANK) and federal funding (KfW, start-up grant, AVGS) do not exclude each other but complement each other to form a suitable funding mix.

What Is NRW.BANK?

NRW.BANK is the development bank of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It provides low-interest development loans, microloans, and equity investments for founding, investment, and growth. Most programs run through the house bank principle (Hausbankprinzip).

What Is the NRW.Mikrodarlehen?

The NRW.Mikrodarlehen is a development loan of up to €50,000 for founders and young businesses (up to 5 years) in NRW, with up to 100% financing, a 10-year fixed interest rate, and no standard bank collateral. It is applied for through a STARTERCENTER NRW.

This makes it particularly suitable for smaller projects and for start-ups without equity. Businesses with a non-profit orientation can additionally receive a 20% repayment waiver (Tilgungserlass).

What Is NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum?

NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum (since January 1, 2022, formerly NRW.BANK.Gründungskredit and NRW.BANK.Mittelstandskredit) is a low-interest development loan for founders, young and established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and freelancers, including as a side business.

It can be up to €10 million and runs for 5, 10, or 20 years, with up to three repayment-free start-up years. It is applied for through your house bank, on request with a 50% liability exemption (Haftungsfreistellung) for the house bank (from €125,000). The current NRW.BANK terms overview is authoritative.

There is also the NRW.BANK.Universalkredit. KfW StartGeld (ERP-Gründerkredit), by contrast, is a federal program and cannot be combined with NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum.

What Is the Gründungs­stipendium.NRW?

The Gründungsstipendium.NRW (formerly Gründerstipendium.NRW) supports innovative start-ups with €1,200 per person per month for up to 12 months, for up to three people per team. Requirements are residence in NRW, an innovative start-up run as the main occupation, and an application before business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) or entry in the commercial register (Handelsregister).

It secures your living costs in the early, low-revenue phase. A new guideline has applied since October 1, 2026: applications are possible until September 30, 2029 (approval by December 31, 2029).

How Does Bürgschaftsbank NRW Help When Collateral Is Missing?

With a default guarantee (Ausfallbürgschaft), Bürgschaftsbank NRW covers up to 80% of the credit risk (max. €2.0 million), so that your house bank can finance despite missing collateral. Through “Bürgschaft ohne Bank”, a guarantee of up to €250,000 is also possible directly in advance.

What Does STARTERCENTER NRW Do?

The STARTERCENTER NRW offer free initial advice and guidance services for founders: from the idea through formalities to funding. They are also the body through which the NRW.Mikrodarlehen is applied for.

Can NRW Funding Be Combined With Federal Funding?

Yes. A typical approach is a mix: the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss, § 93 SGB III) or AVGS coaching for preparation and living costs, plus the NRW.Mikrodarlehen or KfW StartGeld for investments and, if collateral is missing, a guarantee from Bürgschaftsbank NRW.

Which NRW Funding Is Available Without Equity?

The NRW.Mikrodarlehen finances up to 100% without standard bank collateral and is therefore also accessible without equity. If collateral is missing for larger loans, Bürgschaftsbank NRW steps in.

Where Do I Apply for NRW Funding?

That depends on the program: you apply for the NRW.Mikrodarlehen through a STARTERCENTER NRW, for NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum through your house bank (house bank principle), and for the Gründungsstipendium.NRW through a recognized contact point. We accompany you through the right route.

As consultants from NRW (including consulting in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Essen), we know the regional contact points and prepare your applications to be bankable.

We check external links to official bodies each time this page is updated (see the date above). Content and terms may change; the source itself is always authoritative.