IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH

IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank (IFB Hamburg). On behalf of the Authority for Economy and Innovation (BWI) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it supports technology-oriented startups and young, innovative companies in Hamburg. With a broad range of funding programs – from grants to deep-tech and fintech initiatives, as well as venture capital from the Innovationsstarter Fund and the InnoVenture Fund – it plays a key role in strengthening the innovation capacity and competitiveness of Hamburg’s startup ecosystem.

We support Hamburg's startups: Our goal is to provide promising founders in the Hanseatic city with financial support and strategic expertise. Through grants, equity investments, and the development of a strong network between startups, investors, and research institutions, we create optimal conditions for sustainable growth and technological breakthroughs.

The target group consists of technology- and innovation-oriented startups headquartered or primarily operating in Hamburg. This includes founders in the pre-startup and startup phases as well as young, high-growth companies from the fields of digital applications (InnoFounder), socially-oriented social entrepreneurship models (InnoImpact), deep tech (InnoRampUp), fintech (InnoFinTech), and companies in the seed and growth phases that qualify for venture capital from the Innovationsstarter Fund or the InnoVenture Fund. Furthermore, the Hamburg Investors Network (HIN) is aimed at business angels, family offices, and VCs seeking direct access to selected Hamburg startups.