Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium: Eligibility & Deadline

Key facts

Amount: Gründungsförderung: 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 4,000
Duration: Not fixed
Type: Grant
Who receives it: Company
Equity: Equity-free
Repayable: No
Stages: Idea, Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
Solo founders: Yes
Full-time required: Yes
Company required: Yes
University link required: No
Application languages: DE
Location: Company seat in Leipzig

Who can apply

Founder/team with business seat in Leipzig, started max. 3 years ago (trade registration or tax number)
Gründungsförderung only for manufacturing, crafts, or technology- and knowledge-based services
Full-time (Haupterwerb), profit-oriented business
Gründungsförderung: positive IHK/HWK opinion on the business plan or a bank start-up loan; funds a first-time step (first hire, first commercial lease, first corporate design, first certification)
Premium: innovative/creative-innovative founders, first commercial premises in Leipzig, jury decision
Premium: founding advice completed (IHK, HWK, SMILE, ugb or an accelerator); lease signed max. 3 months before applying
Apply before project start via city form / Amt24; de minimis aid

What usually blocks applicants

Transport companies (Verkehrssektor) and the other sectors on the city's exclusion list (Anlage 5 of form 81/021/02.26)
Side-business (Nebenerwerb)
Project already started
Not yet registered in Leipzig
Excluded sectors (e.g. retail, financial/legal advice, medical practices)
Not fundable: business plan, standard furniture/IT, used goods, vehicles; rent and staff only for the first 6 months
Premium: new GbR excluded; no founding advice completed

What the official documents say

30% of eligible costs, up to 60% with location bonus; max EUR 5,000 per year (EUR 10,000 high-tech)
Only manufacturing, crafts, technology- or knowledge-based services; founded max. 3 years ago
Needs a positive IHK/HWK opinion on plan and costs, or a bank start-up loan
Rent and staff costs count only for the first 6 months; no furniture/IT, used goods, vehicles, business plan
Apply before signing contracts; attach 3-year profitability forecast and de minimis declaration
Paid in arrears after the proof of use, due within 3 months of the project end

Official PDF (DE): Steckbrief zur Maßnahme MP22G04 – Gründungsförderung (Mittelstandsförderprogramm Leipzig), version 2021-11-10

EUR 4,000 one-off premium; founded max. 3 years ago; new GbR excluded
First commercial premises in Leipzig; lease signed max. 3 months before applying
Founding advice must be completed (IHK, HWK, SMILE, ugb or an accelerator)
Jury cut-offs 31 Mar, 30 Jun, 30 Sep, 31 Dec; up to 5 firms funded per quarter
Attach business concept, CV, draft lease and proof of founding advice

Official PDF (DE): Steckbrief zur Maßnahme MP20G02 – Prämie für innovative Gründer (Mittelstandsförderprogramm Leipzig), version 2020-01-01

Why founders miss it

Founders rarely hear that the city itself pays cash for first steps (first hire, first lease, branding) plus a separate EUR 4,000 premium for innovative founders; small jury, few applicants.

Deadline and timing

Rolling, subject to annual city budget (payouts often only after mid-year budget release). Premium: jury meets quarterly (cut-offs 31 Mar, 30 Jun, 30 Sep, 31 Dec), up to 5 firms per quarter; file within 3 months of signing the lease.

Frequently asked

How much does Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium pay?

Gründungsförderung: 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 4,000

Who can apply for Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium?

Founder/team with business seat in Leipzig, started max. 3 years ago (trade registration or tax number) Gründungsförderung only for manufacturing, crafts, or technology- and knowledge-based services Full-time (Haupterwerb), profit-oriented business Gründungsförderung: positive IHK/HWK opinion on the business plan or a bank start-up loan; funds a first-time step (first hire, first commercial lease, first corporate design, first certification) Premium: innovative/creative-innovative founders, first commercial premises in Leipzig, jury decision Premium: founding advice completed (IHK, HWK, SMILE, ugb or an accelerator); lease signed max. 3 months before applying Apply before project start via city form / Amt24; de minimis aid

When is the Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium deadline?

Rolling, subject to annual city budget (payouts often only after mid-year budget release). Premium: jury meets quarterly (cut-offs 31 Mar, 30 Jun, 30 Sep, 31 Dec), up to 5 firms per quarter; file within 3 months of signing the lease.

Where do I apply for Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium?

On the official page: https://www.leipzig.de/wirtschaft/mittelstand-staerken/mittelstandsfoerderprogramm. Applications are accepted in DE.

Do I have to pay back Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium or give up equity?

No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.

Can solo founders apply for Leipzig SME Program - Founder Grant & Innovative Founder Premium?

Yes, solo founders can apply.

Sources and verification

Checked on 8 October 2026. Most facts read from the official source; some details need confirmation. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.

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