Transfer BONUS
Transfer BONUS (Technologie-, Wissens-, Design- und Gamification/XR-Transfer)
Entry up to EUR 7,500 (100%), standard up to EUR 15,000 (70%), digitalisation up to EUR 45,000 (70%), gamification/XR up to EUR 45,000 (70%). Provided by State of Berlin / IBB Business Team.
Key facts
- Amount
- Entry up to EUR 7,500 (100%), standard up to EUR 15,000 (70%), digitalisation up to EUR 45,000 (70%), gamification/XR up to EUR 45,000 (70%)
- Duration
- up to 6 months (entry/standard), up to 12 months (digitalisation, gamification/XR)
- Type
- Voucher
- Who receives it
- Company
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- Unclear
- Company required
- Yes
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- DE
- Location
- SME with seat or operating site in Berlin
Who can apply
- Technology-oriented commercial SME (EU definition) with seat or site in Berlin; freelancers (Freiberufler) are not eligible
- Contract with a research, design or games/XR partner that has its seat or a site in Berlin or Brandenburg
- Apply before starting: work may begin only after the grant notice; commission the partner within 3 months
- Standard variant up to 3 separate projects within 3 years; digitalisation once only
What usually blocks applicants
- No transfer partner
- Partner outside Berlin/Brandenburg
- Freelancer (Freiberufler) instead of commercial business
- Project already started
- Guideline ends 31 Dec 2026
What the official documents say
- Entry: 100% funding for projects up to EUR 7,500; standard: up to 70%, max EUR 15,000 (p. 6)
- Digitalisation and gamification/XR: grant up to EUR 45,000 (standard variant, up to 70%) (p. 7)
- Max 6 months for entry/standard, 12 months for digitalisation and gamification/XR (p. 6)
- Work may start only after the grant notice (Zuwendungsbescheid) is issued (p. 8)
- Transfer partner must have its seat or a site in Berlin or Brandenburg (p. 5)
- Freelancers (Freiberufler) are not eligible; standard variant max 3 projects in 3 years (p. 4)
Deadline and timing
Next deadline: 31 December 2026
Open. Current guideline runs 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2026; apply online via IBB Business Team before 31 Dec 2026. Successor after 2026 not announced.
Frequently asked
How much does Transfer BONUS pay?
Entry up to EUR 7,500 (100%), standard up to EUR 15,000 (70%), digitalisation up to EUR 45,000 (70%), gamification/XR up to EUR 45,000 (70%)
Who can apply for Transfer BONUS?
Technology-oriented commercial SME (EU definition) with seat or site in Berlin; freelancers (Freiberufler) are not eligible Contract with a research, design or games/XR partner that has its seat or a site in Berlin or Brandenburg Apply before starting: work may begin only after the grant notice; commission the partner within 3 months Standard variant up to 3 separate projects within 3 years; digitalisation once only
When is the Transfer BONUS deadline?
Open. Current guideline runs 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2026; apply online via IBB Business Team before 31 Dec 2026. Successor after 2026 not announced.
Where do I apply for Transfer BONUS?
On the official page: https://www.ibb-business-team.de/transfer-bonus/. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back Transfer BONUS or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for Transfer BONUS?
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 Berlin
- Berlin Startup StipendiumUp to EUR 2,500/month per person for 6 to 12 months (length set by incubator); incubators also provide workspace, labs, coaching and mentoring
- GründungsBONUS Plus50% grant of eligible costs, max EUR 50,000 (de minimis), paid as reimbursement in up to 4 instalments
- Pro FIT Early-Stage FinancingUp 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
- IBB Ventures (B# Pre-Seed and VC funds)B# pre-seed: EUR 100k to 400k in convertibles (+EUR 100k if at least one female founder); IBB Ventures seed/Series A EUR 200k to 1m, follow-ons up to EUR 4m (6m in individual cases)
- 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 Coaching BONUSFirst 2 coaching days free for first-time applicants; then 80% of net fees (firms <5 years) / 50% (>5 years), max €1,000/day, up to 20 days total