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High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) Pre-Seed/Seed

Pre-seed/seed first tickets with a 'sweet spot' of EUR 800,000+, sized to need; follow-on growth rounds of up to EUR 30m per portfolio company. Provided by High-Tech Gründerfonds (public-private seed fund: federal government, KfW and industry investors).

Germany (nationwide)Investment

Check if you qualify for High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment

Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot opens High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment for you and shows what already fits, what blocks you and what to do next.

  • Concrete reasons, not a score
  • Deadline and first steps
  • Other programs that fit you
Check my fit

Key facts

Amount
Pre-seed/seed first tickets with a 'sweet spot' of EUR 800,000+, sized to need; follow-on growth rounds of up to EUR 30m per portfolio company
Duration
Not fixed
Type
Investment
Who receives it
Company
Equity
Takes equity
Repayable
Unclear
Stages
Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
Solo founders
Unclear
Full-time required
Unclear
Company required
Yes
University link required
No
Application languages
DE, EN
Location
Headquarters in Germany, or a German establishment for foreign start-ups

Who can apply

  • Tech start-up no older than 3 years
  • Fields: digital tech, industrial tech, climate and deep tech, life sciences, chemistry or adjacent tech
  • Seat in Germany or a German establishment
  • Apply by uploading a pitch deck ('My Pitch')

What usually blocks applicants

  • Company older than 3 years
  • Not technology-based (e.g. services, retail)
  • No incorporated company or not investable cap table
  • Highly selective VC process

Deadline and timing

Pitch decks accepted any time. HTGF V started fundraising on 26 Aug 2026 (first closing planned mid-2027).

Frequently asked

How much does High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment pay?

Pre-seed/seed first tickets with a 'sweet spot' of EUR 800,000+, sized to need; follow-on growth rounds of up to EUR 30m per portfolio company

Who can apply for High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment?

Stages: prototype, pre-revenue, revenue, incorporated. You need a registered company. Location: Headquarters in Germany, or a German establishment for foreign start-ups. The full list of conditions is under Who can apply above.

When is the High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment deadline?

Pitch decks accepted any time. HTGF V started fundraising on 26 Aug 2026 (first closing planned mid-2027).

Where do I apply for High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment?

On the official page: https://www.htgf.de/en/venture-capital-investor-2/. Applications are accepted in DE, EN.

Do I have to pay back High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment or give up equity?

Whether it is repayable is not stated clearly; confirm with the provider. It takes equity in the company.

Can solo founders apply for High-Tech Gründerfonds Seed Investment?

The official sources do not state this clearly; confirm with the provider.

Sources and verification

Checked on 19 October 2026. Most facts read from the official source; some details need confirmation. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.

More funding in Germany (nationwide)

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