IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH
About the funder
IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH is a subsidiary of the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank (IFB Hamburg) founded in 2015. It consolidates and manages funding programs for innovative startups in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. With a portfolio of four grant programs (InnoFounder, InnoImpact, InnoRampUp, InnoFinTech), two venture capital funds (Innovationsstarter Fund, InnoVenture Fund), and the Hamburg Investors Network (HIN), IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH supports founders and young companies in all phases from pre-foundation through the seed phase to growth financing. It operates both as a management agency for public funding (including ERDF, Hamburg Senate) and as a market partner by providing venture capital together with private investors and building partner networks.
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Mission & Vision
Our goal is to sustainably strengthen the innovative capacity and future viability of Hamburg as a business location. We support and finance start-up and growth projects with tailored funding and investment instruments and connect founders with investors, experts, and authorities. Our focus is on technological excellence, social added value, and responsible resource management.
Target groups
IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH targets innovative startups, founders, and young companies with their main headquarters or significant business operations in Hamburg. Funding is provided for: digital business models in the pre-startup and startup phase (InnoFounder); social entrepreneurship projects and social startups (InnoImpact); deep-tech companies (InnoRampUp); FinTech and InsurTech startups (InnoFinTech); growth-oriented GmbHs and corporations after a successful seed phase (Innovationsstarter Fund, InnoVenture Fund); investors and networks within the Hamburg Investors Network (HIN).