Technology-oriented Start-ups

Within the framework of this website, the focus is on technology-based company foundations. The structures for funding advisory services have been streamlined: the Federal States alone are now responsible for funding advisory services in the pre-founding stage. The Federal Government is in charge of funding advisory services for up to five years after the company foundation. These services are offered by KfW Mittelstandsbank. A number of Internet portals offer company founders advice and decision-making aids.

• Start-up companies from science (EXIST Start-up Grants and EXIST Transfer of Research)
• High Tech Business Start-up Grants
• ERP-Start-up Grants
• Helmholtz Enterprise
• Fraunhofer FFE

 

Start-up companies from science: EXIST Start-up Grants

Objective and subject matter

The new EXIST Start-up Grants initiative supports company founders from universities and non-university research institutions in developing their ideas for a company foundation into a business plan. These ideas should deal with technological and innovative business start-up projects or innovative services with good economic prospects of success. EXIST is a nationwide funding programme offering direct support for technology-oriented business start-ups in the early stage. With EXIST Start-up Grants, future company founders from universities and research institutions will be supported in developing their ideas into a business plan with aids for their living expenses for a maximum of one year. 

Funding is provided for

• students in their final years
• university graduates and former scientific staff from public, non-profit and non-university research institutions and universities (up to 5 years after graduation or leaving the company)
• teams of company founders up to a maximum of 3 persons
  

Information and dates

Applicants and recipients of a grant are universities or non-university research institutions which provide the mentor and workplace. The funding procedure consists of one stage. Applications can be submitted at any time. The project can start three months after the complete submission of all original application documents.

Start-up Companies from Science: EXIST Research Transfer

Objective and subject matter 

EXIST-Research Transfer supports outstanding technology-based business start-ups which involve demanding and risky development work. EXIST Research Transfer consists of two funding phases:unterstützt herausragende forschungsbasierte Gründungsvorhaben, die mit aufwändigen und risikoreichen Entwicklungsarbeiten verbunden sind. EXIST-Forschungstransfer besteht aus zwei Förderphasen:

Funding Phase I:

Performance of development work to prove technological feasibility, development of prototypes, preparation of a business plan and foundation of the company. Funding is provided for research teams at universities and research institutions (max. 3 scientists, technicians, laboratory assistants). After one year, the team can be expanded by employing one person with economic competence. Applications must be submitted by the university or research institution..

Funding Phase II:

Further development work up to market maturity and the beginning of business operations and laying the foundations for external follow-up financing.
Funding is provided for technology-oriented companies established in the course of funding phase I.

Information and dates

Applications in funding phase I must be submitted by the university or research institution, in funding phase II by the companies. The submission of project outlines is possible until 31 December and 30 June of a calendar year. 

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High-Tech Business Start-up Grants

The High-Tech Business Start-up Grant  is a joint initiative of the federal government, the industrial companies BASF, Deutsche Telekom and Siemens as well as KfW Mittelstandsbank within the framework of "Partners for Innovation". In total, € 262 million will be provided over the next five years. € 240 million alone comes from the federal budget.

Objective and subject matter

The initiative invests equity capital in newly established technological companies, whose core is a research and development project. With the aid of a "seed investment", the start-ups should lead the R&D project until a prototype or a "proof of concept" is developed or the product is introduced onto the market.

Prerequisetes

The products, procedures as well as scientific and technological services must be likely to result in considerable competitive advantages and sustainable market opportunities on the relevant market.
The companies must be located in Germany, oriented to growth and must have a management that has the necessary technological expertise and also relevant know-how regarding business administration.
Companies applying must not be older than one year and must fulfil the definition of the European Union for small enterprises.
 

Notes concerning applications

The application must contain a reference from a coach, investor or a research institution.

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Helmholtz Enterprise to Facilitate Business Start-ups from Helmholtz Centres 

Objective and subject matter

The funding programme "Helmholtz Enterprise" starts at a particularly critical point for spin-out projects, i.e. at the personnel situation/personnel budget of the institute. Independent of the R&D budget and/or third-party projects, the institutes will be provided with additional funds to finance their personnel during the spin-out phase.

Application requirements

Research centres of the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres are eligible to apply. The applications will undergo an evaluation procedure.

Notes concerning applications

For a successful application, a conclusive overall concept must be submitted which contains the core elements of the business plans. The programme is not limited in time.

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"FFE-Fraunhofer Funds Business Start-ups"

Objective and subject matter

Within the framework of FFE Fraunhofer institutes and institutions will be provided with funds to prepare and establish business spin-outs. The aim is to improve the technology transfer of Fraunhofer research results to the market via spin outs..

Application requirements

Staff members of Fraunhofer institutes are eligible to apply.

Notes concerning applications

A statement regarding the spin-out project and co-financing is expected from the institute..

"FFM - Fraunhofer Funds Management"

Objective and subject matter

In the early stage of the business development, company founders from the Fraunhofer Society will be supported by an interim manager who primarily focuses on areas related to business administration.

Notes concerning applications

Together with the future company founders, the Fraunhofer Venture Group determines the necessary profile for the interim manager within the framework of a selection procedure, conducts searches in forums, networks or job advertisements and selects the appropriate person in several interviews.

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ERP Capital for Start-up by KfW Mittelstandsbank

With support from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), KfW Mittelstandsbank mobilises equity capital for young innovative technological companies with ERP Capital for Start-up. Here, KfW enters into investments basically without participating in the management of the company. A prerequisite for this is that another lead investor also participates in the venture with at least the same capital. At the same time, the private investor functions as a management consultant who provides assistance in all economic and financial matters. The investment serves to cover the financial requirements for the development and market launch of new or significantly improved products, procedures or services. Target groups of the Start-up Grants are innovative technology-oriented companies which are not older than five years and with a maximum of 50 employees and which do not exceed an annual turnover/balance-sheet total of € 10 million. The investment is limited to a maximum of € 3 million per company.

Notes concerning applications

Applications for participation in the ERP Capital for Start-ups are to be submitted to KfW Mittelstandsbank by the cooperating lead investors.

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Calls for proposals