Funding for founders, checked against the source.
82 stipends, grants, loans, coaching and accelerator routes for Berlin, Leipzig, Amsterdam, Germany and the EU. Each page shows the amount, who qualifies, what usually blocks applicants, the deadline and when we last checked it.
See where your chances are highBerlin
- Berlin Startup StipendiumUp to EUR 2,500/month per person for 6 to 12 months (length set by incubator); incubators also provide workspace, labs, coaching and mentoringStipend
- GründungsBONUS Plus50% grant of eligible costs, max EUR 50,000 (de minimis), paid as reimbursement in up to 4 instalmentsGrant
- Pro FIT Early-Stage FinancingUp to 100% of eligible costs, max EUR 500,000. Phase 1 (up to EUR 200,000): 50% grant, 50% loan (usually interest-free). Phase 2: loan only. Loans up to 10 years, no collateralGrant
- IBB Ventures (B# Pre-Seed and VC funds)B# pre-seed: EUR 100k to 400k in convertibles (+EUR 100k if at least one female founder); IBB Ventures seed/Series A EUR 200k to 1m, follow-ons up to EUR 4m (6m in individual cases)Investment
- Transfer BONUSEntry up to EUR 7,500 (100%), standard up to EUR 15,000 (70%), digitalisation up to EUR 45,000 (70%), gamification/XR up to EUR 45,000 (70%)Voucher
- Medienboard Games and Interactive Content FundingSuccess-contingent, interest-free loan: development/prototype usually up to EUR 300k (typically 50% of costs, up to 80% in exceptions), production usually up to EUR 600k (up to 50%); ILB fee 3%Loan
- Berlin Coaching BONUSFirst 2 coaching days free for first-time applicants; then 80% of net fees (firms <5 years) / 50% (>5 years), max €1,000/day, up to 20 days totalCoaching
- Berlin microloanUp to €50,000; 6 years incl. 1 repayment-free year; quarterly repayment; 7.50% nominal (7.71% effective) for founders, 7.00% for existing firms, fixed for 6 years (Sep 2026)Loan
Leipzig
All of Leipzig & Saxony- SMILE Startup Initiative LeipzigFree start-up coaching, training and funding-application support (EXIST, Technologiegründungsstipendium etc.); no cash itselfCoaching
- Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig (Halle 7)Coworking desks and offices at a start-up rate (paid), community, coaching and SpinLab network; SMILE incubation space for funded Uni Leipzig teams; no cashCoaching
- SpinLab - The HHL AcceleratorEUR 6,000 per startup for living costs (via City of Leipzig); up to EUR 50,000 in total with pitch prizes; no equityAccelerator
- R42 Games AcceleratorFree 9-month program; chance of a EUR 30,000 SAB start-up grant (90% funding, personnel and material costs) for Saxony-based participantsAccelerator
- Social Impact Lab Leipzig - Founding SupportFree mentoring, coaching and workshops (online and offline); coworking for early-stage founders; no cashCoaching
- Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder PremiumGründungsförderung: 30% of eligible costs (up to 60% with location bonus), max EUR 5,000 per application/year (EUR 10,000 for high-tech). Separate one-off premium for innovative founders: EUR 4,000Grant
- Leipzig Artistic-Cultural StipendsEUR 8,000-10,000 per multi-month stipend (2026 call; programme volume up to EUR 250,000)Stipend
- Leipzig trade fair grant50% of stand, travel and fair-marketing costs. Caps: €1,500 (German fair), €2,000 (foreign fair), €750 (German conference), €1,000 (foreign conference/delegation trip). Up to 3 grants per year.Grant
- RE\WARD idea competition for circular solutionsCity competition for market-ready repair, reuse and rethink ideas; the prize is set out in the call on leipzig.dePrize
- Leipzig Future Prize (sustainability)EUR 12,000 in total: EUR 3,000 for sustainable small businesses, EUR 4,000 for new projects of initiatives, EUR 5,000 for long-running initiativesPrize
- Leipzig Pop-up Store competitionUse of a 160 m² city-centre shop in the Petersbogen for 6 months, with help on fit-out and marketingVoucher
- Smart City Challenge LeipzigPilot contract with the city of up to EUR 25,000, plus up to EUR 10,000 if the solution is released as open sourcePrize
- Leipzig Founding Night prizes2025 prizes: EUR 5,000 for the best idea (audience vote) and EUR 10,000 for the best young start-upPrize
Saxony
All of Leipzig & Saxony- InnoStartBonus SaxonyEUR 1,050/month per founder + EUR 150/month per dependent child; up to 12 monthsStipend
- ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend SaxonyPer founder per month: EUR 1,000 (students), EUR 2,500 (graduates), EUR 3,000 (PhD); up to 12 monthsStipend
- SAB Microloan SaxonyEUR 5,000-30,000, up to 80% of eligible costs; currently 2% p.a. nominal; up to 6 years incl. 1 year repayment-free; no collateralLoan
- SAB Founding Consulting SubsidyFixed EUR 400 per consulting day (8h), 2-5 days for new start-ups (EUR 800-2,000); succession EUR 500/day up to 10 daysVoucher
- Saxony Digitalisation Grant (micro firms)Up to 60% of eligible costs (+10 pts if bound by collective agreement); direct eligible costs capped at EUR 10,000, minimum EUR 5,000 costs; plus 7% flat indirect costsGrant
- Saxon Founders' Prize2026 round: up to EUR 30,000 total split across Newcomer, Start-up and Scale-up winners (2025 round: up to EUR 60,000)Prize
- Saxony Business Angel BonusGrant of 50% of eligible costs (personnel incl. managing-director salary, material, investments), capped at the angel's investment and €400,000Grant
- Saxony market-launch loan€30k–500k; up to 100% of costs for young small firms (≤5 years, <50 staff), up to 80% for others; 1.5% p.a. (JTF regions incl. Leipzig) or 2.5%; up to 8 years, 2 years repayment-free; no collateral; can be subordinated for young small firmsLoan
- Saxony digitalisation loan€30k–250k; up to 100% for young small firms; 1.5% (JTF) / 2.5% p.a.; up to 6 years, 1 year repayment-free; no collateralLoan
- Saxony InnoPrämie50% of external R&D/design/testing services, max €40,000 per calendar year (up to 2 per year); ≤6 monthsVoucher
- Saxony R&D project grantSmall firms, single project: 40% (experimental development) / 50% in Leipzig, 60% in Chemnitz/Dresden (industrial research) of eligible costs; +5 points on development for 'significant' projects (e.g. firm ≤5 years old); no general capGrant
- Saxony circular economy grantGrant; rate depends on measure, company size and region. Awareness/knowledge-transfer projects EUR 2,500–60,000 at 80% for small firms; circular production investments EUR 8,000–5m at 55% for small firms; STEP critical-technology investments 90%Grant
- Guarantee without a bank (Saxony)Guarantee of up to 80% of a loan, max EUR 160,000, promised before you look for a bank; 1% one-off fee and 1.1-1.5% a yearLoan
- SAB Saxony Loan UniversalInvestment loans from EUR 20,000 (4-20 years) and working-capital loans from EUR 20,000; 4% of the loan is forgiven, 6% for start-up financingLoan
- SAB Business Consulting Grant50% of EUR 800 per consultant day for 5-20 days a year, about EUR 2,000-8,000Voucher
- futureSAX mentoring networkFree long-term 1:1 mentoring by an experienced entrepreneurCoaching
- KREATIVES SACHSEN consultingFree consulting on marketing, financing, business development and matching to funding; up to 3 sessions in 3 yearsCoaching
Amsterdam
All of Amsterdam & the Netherlands- MIT Feasibility Projects - Noord-Holland35% of eligible costs, max EUR 20,000; 2026 budget EUR 2,570,400Grant
- Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland - VFF fundLoan EUR 50,000-450,000 depending on company category (reported as convertible); fund about EUR 5M, half Rijk via RVO, half provinceLoan
- Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland - PoC2 fundConvertible loans from a EUR 14M+ fund (ERDF Opportunities for West 3); loan size set per project (the first round averaged about EUR 275k)Loan
- Startup in Residence AmsterdamTraining, coaches, workspace, city network and a chance to test with the City as launching customer; no cash amount publishedAccelerator
- ACE Incubator (Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship)No cash; training, mentoring and 2 years of follow-up support. No equity; 2% of revenue for 5 years, only in years with revenue of EUR 250k+Accelerator
- Amsterdam Circular (circulator)Cost-free, equity-free chain-financing programme; funding comes via chain partners and public/private co-financiersAccelerator
- Boost je Buurt (Amsterdam Impact)Jury and public prizes EUR 2,500 / 5,000 / 7,500; programme place worth EUR 25,000Prize
- Rockstart acceleratorInvestment from pre-seed, co-investments up to Series B; ticket size not publishedAccelerator
Netherlands
All of Amsterdam & the Netherlands- WBSO R&D tax credit (self-employed / starter)Self-employed 2026: S&O deduction EUR 15,979 from taxable profit, plus starter extra EUR 7,996 (2027 amounts to be published end of 2026). Employers: payroll-tax reduction 36% of first EUR 391,020 (50% for starters), 16% above; same rates announced for 2027, hourly forfait rises from EUR 29 to EUR 33Tax credit
- Early Phase Financing (VFF) - RVOInterest-bearing loan EUR 50,000-450,000: innovative starters up to EUR 450,000 (100% of costs), small SMEs up to EUR 202,500 (45%), medium SMEs up to EUR 157,500 (35%); interest 7.71% from 1 Sep 2026; repayment starts after 3-5 yearsLoan
- Innovation CreditUp to 45% of project costs for small firms (35% medium, 25% large; SMEs 50% with collaboration); max EUR 10M technical / EUR 5M clinical; at least 55% from other financing. 3% fixed compound interest plus a one-off 15% (technical) / 25% (clinical) surcharge; repaid after the project from commercial resultsLoan
- MIT R&D Collaboration Projects35% of eligible costs; small projects EUR 50,000-200,000, large projects EUR 200,000-350,000 per project (EUR 25,000-175,000 per participant)Grant
- Rabobank Start and Development Contribution (Noord-Holland Noord)EUR 2,500-10,000 non-repayable contribution; most awards EUR 2,500-5,000, above EUR 5,000 only with clear scale-up potentialGrant
- Rabo Innovation LoanEUR 25,000-200,000 as two equal subordinated loans; 10% fixed interest, 7-year term, no collateral or arrangement feeLoan
- Dutch Start-up Residence PermitNot funding: 1-year permit, application fee EUR 423 (2026)Benefit-linked support
- Creative Industries Fund NL - Digital Culture Grant SchemeEUR 10,000-25,000 (single applicant) or up to EUR 50,000 with project partners; 20% co-financing required; EUR 650,000 per grant periodGrant
Germany (nationwide)
All of Germany (nationwide)- EXIST Business Start-up GrantPer person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coachingStipend
- EXIST WomenEUR 2,000 material budget per participant plus mentoring, workshops and coaching; some participants also get a stipend of up to 3 months (EUR 1,000 to 3,000/month by qualification, + EUR 150 per child), at the host's discretionCoaching
- Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss)6 months: last ALG I amount + EUR 300/month for social insurance; then optionally 9 months EUR 300/month (separate application). Tax-freeBenefit-linked support
- Entry Allowance for Self-Employment (Einstiegsgeld)Set case by case on top of Grundsicherungsgeld: base up to 50% of the standard rate (up to about EUR 281/month for a single person, 2026 rate EUR 563), plus 20% if unemployed 2+ years and 10% per extra household member; capped at the full standard rate. Alternatively a flat rate of up to 75% of the standard rate without supplements. Up to 24 monthsBenefit-linked support
- Founder Coaching via AVGS voucherReasonable costs of an approved coaching measure paid by the agency via the voucher; scope and hours set on the voucherVoucher
- Support for the Self-Employed (SGB II 16c)Usually a loan, grant only in individual cases (grants capped at EUR 5,000 per business; loans can be higher) for necessary business equipment; plus free coaching via third-party providersGrant
- Prototype FundUp to EUR 47,500 (individual) or EUR 95,000 (team) for 6 months; optional 4-month Second Stage up to EUR 31,667 (individual) or about EUR 63,000 (team)Grant
- KfW ERP Start-up Loan StartGeldUp to EUR 200,000 (working capital up to EUR 80,000); KfW takes 80% of the bank's risk; fixed, ERP-subsidised interest (current rates at kfw.de/konditionen)Loan
- INVEST Grant for Venture CapitalFor investors: 15% acquisition grant (max EUR 50k per investment, EUR 100k per investor in total) plus 25% exit grant on gains; founders benefit indirectlyTax credit
- German AcceleratorFully funded, free of charge, no equity; expert guidance, partnerships and network for market entryAccelerator
- German R&D tax credit35% for KMU (25% general) of eligible R&D costs. Owner's own R&D work in a sole proprietorship counts at €100/hour (from 2026, was €70), max 40 h/week. For projects started from 2026 a 20% overhead flat rate is added; the annual cap is €12M. Paid as a tax credit; refunded even with no tax owed.Tax credit
- BAFA consulting subsidyAssessment base €3,500 per consultation. Leipzig region and Berlin: 50% = max €1,750. Other eastern German regions: 80% = max €2,800. Up to 5 consultations in total until end of 2026, max 2 per year.Voucher
- KMU-innovativ ICTProject grant: 50% of eligible costs for industrial research, 25% for experimental development, plus 20 points for small firms (10 for medium); max 80%; usually up to 3 yearsGrant
- DBU Green Start-upUp to €125,000 per start-up over 24 months, up to 100% (de minimis). Mainly living costs up to €2,000/month per person, plus some material/external services.Stipend
- Sovereign Tech FundWork must be estimated above €50,000 (current minimum); no max statedGrant
- AIDEAS: circular business ideas with AIEUR 10,000 fixed payment for each of up to 10 teams to work out the idea (2 Nov to 19 Dec 2026), plus a pitch at the Circular AI Hub FORUM on 10 Nov 2026Prize
- DigiRess Circular: digital circular business modelsEUR 100,000 to 1 million per project for up to about 3 years; small firms get up to 85% of costs, so about 15% is your own shareGrant
- KfW ERP Founding LoanLoan up to EUR 500,000 for up to 35% of costs; 15 years with 5 repayment-free, or 10 with 2; a Bürgschaftsbank guarantees 100%, so no other collateralLoan
- Micro-Mezzanine Fund GermanySilent participation up to EUR 100,000, or EUR 150,000 for social and ecological firms; about 8% a year effective plus up to 2% profit share; 10 years, no collateralInvestment
- Antler ONE ResidencyUp to EUR 500,000 pre-seed (EUR 200,000 at once, the rest as follow-on) for about 10% equity; co-founder matching for solo foundersInvestment
European Union
All of European Union- EIC Accelerator (grant-only)Grant-only: lump sum below EUR 2.5m for TRL 6-8 work up to 24 months; blended option adds EUR 1-10m equityGrant
- Women TechEUEUR 75,000 non-dilutive grant plus coaching and mentoringGrant
- Google for Startups Accelerator EuropeEquity-free 3-month programme: mentoring, Google expert support, cloud and product creditsAccelerator
- NLnet Restack Fund€5,000–50,000 for a first grant; can scale up for proven potential; plus in-kind security audits/standardisation help. €7M total to 2030.Grant
- NLnet CodeSupply Fund€5,000–50,000 per proposal; €400k reserved for open callsGrant
- GitHub Secure Open Source Fund$10,000 per project, paid in 3 tranches ($6k/$2k/$2k) + 3-week security programme + Azure credits/toolsGrant
- Erasmus for Young EntrepreneursMonthly lump sum for travel and living costs, set by host country: EUR 600–1,200 (e.g. Netherlands 950, Spain 900, Germany 900, Denmark 1,200, USA 1,200); 1–6 months abroadStipend
- EIT Urban Mobility RAPTOREUR 60,000 lump sum for a 6-month pilot that solves one city's mobility challengeGrant
For AI assistants
The same facts are available as structured JSON, as plain text and through a read-only MCP server at https://stipendium.berlin/mcp. Please cite the program page and its official source. Orientation, not an eligibility decision.