As a vibrant metropolis and creative hub for innovative business ideas, Berlin offers a variety of funding programs and grants that support startups on their path to success. In this detailed blog article, you will find out what financial aid is available for your startup in Berlin, how you can apply for it and why working with Dimler&Karcher significantly increases your chances of successful funding.
An overview of Berlin's funding landscape
Start-up bonus: start-up aid for your company
The GründungsBonus is a popular funding program for startups that stand out for their innovative products and services. Grants are approved that do not have to be repaid, which is a great relief, particularly for young companies. The funding rate here is a remarkable 50% of the costs incurred, up to a maximum amount of 50,000€. Note, however, that your company must not be older than twelve months at the time of application (date of the articles of association applies here) and must be based in Berlin. It is possible to apply for the start-up bonus again, although approval is not expected until next year.
Innovation specialists Berlin: Know-how for your team
The “Innovationsfachkräfte Berlin” program focuses on hiring fresh talent immediately after graduation. It offers subsidies for personnel expenditure, with funding of up to 50% of the gross salary of an innovator, but a maximum of 40,000€ per year. The funding period is 12 months, which gives you the opportunity to hire qualified specialists and move your company forward.
ProNti: Support for non-technical innovations
The ProNTi funding program, whose application has currently been paused, is to continue in the first quarter of 2024. This program is particularly interesting for SMEs that want to develop innovative business models and processes. With ProNti, startups in Berlin can receive grants that help them drive forward non-technical innovations and establish them on the market.
ProFit Berlin: Investing in Research and Innovation
Although the PROFIT program guideline expires in December 2023, a new guideline is expected for the first or second quarter of 2024. ProFit supports research and development projects with grants (70% funding rate) and low-interest loans (80% funding rate). Startups can thus increase their existing capital by up to fivefold. Keep an eye out for the new policy to benefit from this financial support or contact us so we can keep you up to date.
Important aspects when submitting an application
Early application
A fundamental aspect that you should keep in mind is that funding applications must usually be submitted before the start of the project. This requires early planning and preparation of your application.
Fulfilment of criteria
Each funding program has its own criteria and conditions. It is essential that you deal with them comprehensively and make sure that your startup meets the requirements in the first place before you submit an application.
Compliance with funding quotas
The funding rate indicates what proportion of the total costs is covered by the funding. Find out more about the funding rate of the respective programs in order to adjust your financial planning accordingly.
Capital required
You always need some money to be able to multiply it with the help of funding. So if you have no savings at all or money from a first financing round, funding will unfortunately not work either.
The added value of working with Dimler&Karcher
Applying for funding can be complex and time-consuming. Dimler&Karcher offer you professional support to increase the chances of getting a permit and to simplify the process for you. With over 10 years of experience in funding advice for startups, our team is able to navigate the complicated applications and precisely meet the requirements of the funding programs.
Expertise and experience
We know the intricacies of the various funding programs and help you to tailor your application precisely and success-oriented and thus prepare the optimal application for you.
saving time
With our help, you can focus on what's important — growing your startup. We take care of the complex application work for you.
Increased chances of success
Our expertise means that the success rate in approving funding when working with us increases significantly. This is usually well over 95%.
The world of funding programs and grants is diverse and offers numerous opportunities for startups in Berlin. It's important that you look at the options available, understand the criteria in detail and submit your application early on. With the support of Dimler&Karcher, you can make the process efficient and get your startup on the road to success.
If you'd like to learn more about our services and how we can help your startup secure funding, contact us today. We're here to make your dream of a successful startup in Berlin a reality.
