IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan)
KMU-Fonds Gründungs- und Wachstumsdarlehen (Direktdarlehen)
Direct IBB loan up to EUR 250,000 without a house bank (up to 100% of the project, term up to 20 years, grace years possible, market interest); with a house bank up to EUR 10m. Provided by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), EU co-financed KMU-Fonds.
Check if you qualify for IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan)
Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot opens IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan) 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
Key facts
- Amount
- Direct IBB loan up to EUR 250,000 without a house bank (up to 100% of the project, term up to 20 years, grace years possible, market interest); with a house bank up to EUR 10m
- Duration
- up to 20 years
- Type
- Loan
- Who receives it
- Founder or team
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- Yes
- Stages
- Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- Unclear
- Company required
- No
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- DE
- Location
- Operating site in Berlin; project carried out in Berlin
Who can apply
- Freelancers, founders and SMEs (EU definition) in commercial sectors with an operating site in Berlin
- Start-up, consolidation, takeover (not between first-degree relatives), relocation and investment projects; working capital only as part of an expansion
- Direct loans up to EUR 250,000 are applied for straight at IBB (online customer portal, post or in person)
- Apply before the project starts
What usually blocks applicants
- Loans above EUR 25,000 need customary collateral proposed by the applicant
- For a GmbH, influential shareholders or managing directors must give a personal guarantee
- Market-rate interest, not subsidised
- Companies in difficulty and refinancing are excluded
Deadline and timing
Rolling; no deadline published.
Frequently asked
How much does IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan) pay?
Direct IBB loan up to EUR 250,000 without a house bank (up to 100% of the project, term up to 20 years, grace years possible, market interest); with a house bank up to EUR 10m
Who can apply for IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan)?
Stages: pre-revenue, revenue, incorporated. Solo founders can apply. You can apply before registering a company. Location: Operating site in Berlin; project carried out in Berlin. The full list of conditions is under Who can apply above.
When is the IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan) deadline?
Rolling; no deadline published.
Where do I apply for IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan)?
On the official page: https://www.ibb.de/en/foerderprogramme/kmu-fonds-gruendung-wachstum.html. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan) or give up equity?
Yes, it is repayable. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for IBB SME Fund start-up and growth loan (direct loan)?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 19 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Berlin
- 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%
- 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)
- Berlin Start (IBB start-up loan with guarantee)Loan from EUR 5,000 to EUR 1.5m, up to 100% of the project, 6 to 10 years, up to 2 repayment-free years, fixed rate; BBB guarantee up to 70% (1.5% one-off fee + 1.75% p.a.)
- Medienboard Innovative Audiovisual Content (XR / immersive)Interest-free, conditionally repayable loan for development and/or production; own contribution normally 50%; ILB fee 3% (min. EUR 500 for loans of EUR 10,000 to 16,667); no maximum published
- BBBwelcome guarantee for refugee and non-EU foundersGuarantee for your bank loan: up to 70% (exceptionally 80%) of the loan; fees 1.5% one-off plus 1.75% p.a.
- BBBsocial guarantee for social-impact foundersGuarantee for your bank loan: up to 70% (exceptionally 80%), max. guarantee EUR 2.0m; fees 1.5% one-off plus 1.75% p.a.