Berlin Innovative
SME loans for innovation, sustainability, and the creative industries in Berlin – loans up to EUR 3 million, 70% liability exemption.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Berlin Innovativ PLUS program supports innovative Berlin-based companies and start-ups in financing their operational projects. Funding is provided for business start-ups, investments in machinery, equipment, and material inventory, as well as general working capital requirements.
Eligible expenses
- Investment costs
- Operating resources
Non-eligible expenses
- Debt restructuring
- Extensions
- Export-related projects
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Registered office or place of business in Berlin
- Fulfillment of innovation and digitization criteria or creative or sustainability criteria
- SME or smaller mid-cap according to EU definition
- Companies in difficulty excluded
Documents required for application
- Application form
- Checklist
- Project description
- Investment and financing plan
- Annual financial statements
- Business management evaluations
- Overview of existing loan liabilities
- Commercial register excerpt
- Certificates of no objection
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Creditworthiness of the company
- Value of the collateral
- Sustainability aspects
Description
The Berlin Innovativ PLUS program supports innovative Berlin-based companies, start-ups, and members of the freelance professions with low-interest SME loans. Up to EUR 3 million is available for investments in machinery, equipment, material inventories, as well as for general working capital needs. Funding is provided through the house bank procedure with a 70% liability release for the house bank. Eligibility criteria include having a registered office or branch in Berlin, compliance with innovation, digitalization, creative, or sustainability criteria according to EU definitions, and the exclusion of insolvent companies. The target group comprises small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), smaller midcaps, and founders who wish to enhance their competitiveness through digital, creative, or green projects.
The terms range from 36 to 120 months with a funding rate of 100%. Creditworthiness, the level of innovation, the value of collateral, and sustainability aspects are taken into account in the loan conditions. The application must include a project description, investment and financing plan, annual financial statements, business management evaluations, an overview of existing credit liabilities, and additional documentation. Thanks to continuous application deadlines and support from the InvestEU Fund, Berlin Innovativ PLUS helps to realize forward-looking projects, strengthen the Berlin location, and advance ecological as well as digital transformation.
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