ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony
ESF Plus Technologiegründungsstipendium (SAB)
Per founder per month: EUR 1,000 (students), EUR 2,500 (graduates), EUR 3,000 (PhD); up to 12 months. Provided by Freistaat Sachsen (SMWA) / SAB (ESF Plus).
Key facts
- Amount
- Per founder per month: EUR 1,000 (students), EUR 2,500 (graduates), EUR 3,000 (PhD); up to 12 months
- Duration
- Up to 12 months
- Type
- Stipend
- Who receives it
- Founding team
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Idea, Prototype, Pre-revenue
- Solo founders
- No
- Full-time required
- Yes
- Company required
- No
- University link required
- Yes
- Application languages
- DE
- Location
- Main or secondary residence in Saxony; company seat in Saxony
Who can apply
- Students, graduates, scientific staff or former staff of universities, Berufsakademien or research institutions
- Founding team of up to 3 funded persons with complementary skills; at least one with commercial know-how
- Technical product/process innovation or novel innovative service; R&D at least 15% of operating costs
- Apply via SAB Förderportal before founding; company must be founded within 6 months of funding start
What usually blocks applicants
- No university/research link
- Already founded
- Other paid employment, BAföG, Gründungszuschuss or Einstiegsgeld
- Freelance professions (consultants, designers, artists etc.)
Deadline and timing
No fixed deadline; apply any time before founding. Guideline runs until 31 Dec 2030.
Frequently asked
How much does ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony pay?
Per founder per month: EUR 1,000 (students), EUR 2,500 (graduates), EUR 3,000 (PhD); up to 12 months
Who can apply for ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony?
Students, graduates, scientific staff or former staff of universities, Berufsakademien or research institutions Founding team of up to 3 funded persons with complementary skills; at least one with commercial know-how Technical product/process innovation or novel innovative service; R&D at least 15% of operating costs Apply via SAB Förderportal before founding; company must be founded within 6 months of funding start
When is the ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony deadline?
No fixed deadline; apply any time before founding. Guideline runs until 31 Dec 2030.
Where do I apply for ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony?
On the official page: https://www.sab.sachsen.de/technologiegruenderstipendien. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony?
No, this program expects a founding team.
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
- InnoStartBonus SaxonyEUR 1,050/month per founder + EUR 150/month per dependent child; up to 12 months
- SAB Microloan SaxonyEUR 5,000-30,000, up to 80% of eligible costs; currently 2% p.a. nominal; up to 6 years incl. 1 year repayment-free; no collateral
- SAB Founding Consulting SubsidyFixed EUR 400 per consulting day (8h), 2-5 days for new start-ups (EUR 800-2,000); succession EUR 500/day up to 10 days
- Saxony Digitalisation Grant (micro firms)Up to 60% of eligible costs (+10 pts if bound by collective agreement); direct eligible costs capped at EUR 10,000, minimum EUR 5,000 costs; plus 7% flat indirect costs
- Saxon Founders' Prize2026 round: up to EUR 30,000 total split across Newcomer, Start-up and Scale-up winners (2025 round: up to EUR 60,000)
- Saxony Business Angel BonusGrant of 50% of eligible costs (personnel incl. managing-director salary, material, investments), capped at the angel's investment and €400,000