All funding programs

Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing

Pro FIT / Frühphasenfinanzierung

Up 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 collateral. Provided by State of Berlin / IBB.

BerlinGrant
Official page Check my fit across all programs

Key facts

Amount
Up 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 collateral
Duration
up to 4 years (phase 1 up to 1 year, phase 2 up to 3 years)
Type
Grant
Who receives it
Company
Equity
Conditional
Repayable
Yes
Stages
Prototype, Pre-revenue, Incorporated
Solo founders
Yes
Full-time required
Unclear
Company required
Yes
University link required
No
Application languages
DE
Location
Company (Kapitalgesellschaft) with registered seat in Berlin

Who can apply

  • Newly founded technology-oriented small company, organised as a corporation (e.g. GmbH/UG) with seat in Berlin; register entry not yet required
  • Company max. 12 months old at application (phase 2 only: max. 24 months, no profits distributed)
  • Founders hold at least 75%; business angels up to 25%; no institutional investors at application
  • At least one experienced mentor who invests (usually min. 5% of the funding, at least EUR 10,000)
  • Planned R&D anchor project with technical risk
  • Eligible: management/admin staff, general equipment, operating costs; phase 1 also R&D, marketing and sales staff preparing the anchor project

What usually blocks applicants

  • Company older than 12 months
  • No investing mentor
  • Institutional investor already on the cap table
  • Project not technologically innovative
  • Not a corporation
  • Starting before IBB approves early start

What the official documents say

  • Max EUR 500,000 per company; phase 1 up to EUR 200,000 (p. 4)
  • Phase 1: half grant, half loan (can be interest-free); phase 2: loan only; up to 10 years, no collateral (p. 3)
  • Company (Kapitalgesellschaft, Berlin seat) max 12 months old at application; phase 2 only: 24 months (p. 2)
  • Founders hold at least 75%; business angels up to 25%; no institutional investors at application (p. 2)
  • At least one mentor must invest, usually 5% of the funding, minimum EUR 10,000 (p. 3)
  • Start work only after IBB has received the application and agreed (p. 6)
Official PDF (DE): Durchführungsbestimmungen „Pro FIT Frühphasenfinanzierung“ (Zuschüsse und Darlehen zur Frühphasenfinanzierung von Technologieunternehmen), version 2026-01-01
  • For the eligibility check: financial plan (FrühphasenFinanzplaner), business plan, full CV (p. 1)
  • Short description of the R&D anchor project incl. state of the art and technical risk (p. 1)
  • Mentor details, draft articles with shareholder list, copy of registration filing, SME declaration (p. 1)
  • Before approval: signature sheet, trade/tax registration, proof of GoBD-compliant bookkeeping (p. 1)
Official PDF (DE): Pro FIT - Frühphasenfinanzierung: Allgemeine Checkliste

Deadline and timing

Continuous application via the IBB customer portal; funding committee decides monthly. Current rules apply to applications received by 31 Dec 2027.

Frequently asked

How much does Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing pay?

Up 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 collateral

Who can apply for Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing?

Newly founded technology-oriented small company, organised as a corporation (e.g. GmbH/UG) with seat in Berlin; register entry not yet required Company max. 12 months old at application (phase 2 only: max. 24 months, no profits distributed) Founders hold at least 75%; business angels up to 25%; no institutional investors at application At least one experienced mentor who invests (usually min. 5% of the funding, at least EUR 10,000) Planned R&D anchor project with technical risk Eligible: management/admin staff, general equipment, operating costs; phase 1 also R&D, marketing and sales staff preparing the anchor project

When is the Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing deadline?

Continuous application via the IBB customer portal; funding committee decides monthly. Current rules apply to applications received by 31 Dec 2027.

Where do I apply for Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing?

On the official page: https://www.ibb.de/de/foerderprogramme/pro-fit-fruehphasenfinanzierung.html. Applications are accepted in DE.

Do I have to pay back Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing or give up equity?

Yes, it is repayable. Equity terms depend on the case; check the official conditions.

Can solo founders apply for Pro FIT Early-Stage Financing?

Yes, solo founders can apply.

Sources and verification

Checked on 8 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.

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