All funding programs

Saxony market-launch loan

Markteinführungsdarlehen (MEP-D)

€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 firms. Provided by Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB).

SaxonyLoanEquity-free
Official page Check my fit across all programs

Key facts

Amount
€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 firms
Duration
Not fixed
Type
Loan
Who receives it
Company
Equity
Equity-free
Repayable
Yes
Stages
Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
Solo founders
Yes
Full-time required
No
Company required
No
University link required
No
Application languages
DE
Location
Seat/branch in Saxony

Who can apply

  • Commercial KMU and Freiberufler
  • Product based on innovative idea or own R&D
  • Software: release candidate required at application
  • Market launch ≤6 months ago if loan only
  • Combinable with the SAB Markteinführungszuschuss if both are filed before project start

What usually blocks applicants

  • Repayable
  • Development costs not covered
  • Management-level salaries not eligible
  • Signing a project contract before applying counts as an early start and leads to rejection

What the official documents say

  • EUR 30,000–500,000 per project; up to 8 years, up to 2 years repayment-free; no collateral
  • 100% financing only for young small firms: ≤5 years old, <50 staff; others max 80%, 20% own funds
  • If you take only the loan, market launch may be at most 6 months in the past
  • Can be combined with the Markteinführungszuschuss grant if both are filed before project start
  • Management-level salaries (incl. assistants) are not eligible costs
Official PDF (DE): Programmmerkblatt Markteinführungsdarlehen (Darlehen für den Mittelstand), version 2026-09

Why founders miss it

A 1.5%, collateral-free, subordinated loan for launching a software product works almost like quasi-equity. Bank loans for solo founders never look like this.

Deadline and timing

No fixed deadlines; apply before project start via Förderportal. Merkblatt dated Sep 2026.

Frequently asked

How much does Saxony market-launch loan pay?

€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 firms

Who can apply for Saxony market-launch loan?

Commercial KMU and Freiberufler Product based on innovative idea or own R&D Software: release candidate required at application Market launch ≤6 months ago if loan only Combinable with the SAB Markteinführungszuschuss if both are filed before project start

When is the Saxony market-launch loan deadline?

No fixed deadlines; apply before project start via Förderportal. Merkblatt dated Sep 2026.

Where do I apply for Saxony market-launch loan?

On the official page: https://www.sab.sachsen.de/en/markteinf%C3%BChrungsdarlehen-mep-d-1. Applications are accepted in DE.

Do I have to pay back Saxony market-launch loan or give up equity?

Yes, it is repayable. It takes no equity.

Can solo founders apply for Saxony market-launch loan?

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.

More funding in Saxony

All startup funding in Leipzig & Saxony