Business Funding
TOP funding programmes
The variety of public funding from national government, local government and the EU make it increasingly difficult to see through the wealth of funding opportunities available. To help you get your bearings, we have put together a list of the major funding programmes which are in particular demand in Hamburg.
Our overview includes a brief description and easy-to-use instructions for the various financial instruments in the form of
loans, grants, guarantees and investments.
loans, grants, guarantees and investments.
Here, you will find both new funding opportunities as well as established programmes for business start-ups, consolidation and expansion. We have also listed a series of interesting tools for investment, innovation and new job creation. Plus there are tailored links from each programme to additional information.
| Programme | Who can apply |
What it's for |
Amount available* |
|---|---|---|---|
Loans |
|||
| KfW ERP Start-up loan (Startgeld) more information |
Start-ups and small businesses in the area of commercial business and members of the liberal professions (incl. healthcare). |
To establish, purchase and have an active investment in a business, including initially as a sideline. Capital investment and equipment with an external financing requirement of max. –125,000. (equipment share max 50,000) |
Up to 100 %, maximum –125,000, payout 100%, duration up to 10 years, of which two years interest free, 80% exemption from liability by KfW. |
|
IFB
Hamburg Loan for founders and follow up
(Hamburg Kredit Gründung und Nachfolge)
(German only)
|
Founders and Businesses up to five years after foundation
|
Everything that is necessary for the entrepreneurial activity is promoted
|
Up to 750 TEUR
Equity from 7,5 to 15 %
Up to 10 years
|
| KFW
ERP-Promotional Loan
(ERP Förderkredit KMU)
more information |
Founders and Businesses
|
Everything that is necessary for the entrepreneurial activity is promoted.
|
Up to 100%
Maximum 25 Mio. EUR
Up to 20 years
|
|
IFB
Hamburg loan growth
(Hamburg Kredit Wachstum)
(German only)
|
Businesses which were founded more than 5 years ago. |
Everything that is necessary for the entrepreneurial activity is promoted.
|
Up to 500 TEUR
Up to 20 years
|
|
IFB
Hamburg loan mikro
(Hamburg Kredit Mikro)
(German only)
|
Founders and Businesses
|
Everything that is necessary for the entrepreneurial activity is promoted.
|
Up to 100%
For founders 5-15 TEUR, businesses founded
more than 5 years ago 40 TEUR |
Grants |
|||
|
Employment Agency Start-Up Grant
more information (German only)
|
The unemployed (receiving ALG I unemployment benefit), who wish to become self-employed. |
Start-ups
|
The grant is discretionary! Grant for 6 months up to the amount of the last unemployment benefit drawn plus lump sum of 300 EUR for social security; equity claim for ALG I for at least 150 days; Thereafter lump sum available for further 9 months. |
| Employment Agency Entry Grant
|
The unemployed (receiving ALG II unemployment benefit), who wish to become self-employed. |
Start-ups
|
The amount of grant available and its duration is determined solely by the respective case manager.
|
|
Employment Agency/Integration Subsidy
|
Employers
|
Subsidy towards wages for the integration of employees in need of support whose placement is difficult (due to personal reasons)
|
The subsidy can be paid as a monthly allowance of up to 50% of the regular salary for a maximum of twelve months. For older, disabled and severely disabled people, there are options to extend the scope of benefits.
|
|
Jobcenter/FHH
“Hamburg Employment Support Model” |
Employers, (longterm) unemployed
|
long-term unemployed, young people with placement difficulties
|
Wage subsidy for companies (max. 12 months).
You can receive a training and qulification grant of up to EUR 2,000 for new hires.
|
| FHH Innovation foundation Hamburg
(German only)
|
Small and medium-sized enterprises, innovative Company founders, in individual cases colleges and non-university research facilities. |
Supports innovative and technology-focused schemes whose content is or could be delineated and which show indications of later economic usability (project support). |
Grant or low interest loan. |
|
Federal
consultancy support |
Founder as well as small and medium-sized businesses |
General advice on all economic, financial, personnel and organisational issues relating to company management.
|
Grant of 50% (max. 1,750 EUR) |
Guarantees |
|||
| Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH
(German only)
|
Start-ups, small and medium-sized commercial businesses as well as freelancers working for the economy. |
Letters of indemnity against loans and credit from banks and savings banks. |
Guarantee up to 80% for maximum 2,000,000 EUR. |
| Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH ”BG express”
(German only)
|
Businesses which were founded more than 3 years ago. |
Letters of indemnity against loans and credit from banks and saving banks |
Guarantee up to 70% for a maximum of 175,000 EUR. Decision about guarantee in 24 hours. |
Investments |
|||
| MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Hamburg mbH
(German only)
|
Innovative technology- focused businesses and start-ups |
Equity capital for start-ups, corporate acquisitions, corporate formation und Expansion |
Silent or open partnership from 50.000 EUR to max. 500.000 EUR. |