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Equity participation

BerlinInnoGrowth ("BIG" Program)

Open participations or convertible loans for Berlin start-ups and SMEs with innovative, growth-oriented business models. IBB Capital participates pari passu with private co-investors at 51%–70% in ticket sizes ranging from EUR 350,000 to 2 million. Applications exclusively via accredited intermediaries; recommended by 15.09.2026.

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Berlin
Company size: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding amount: €350,000 – €2,000,000
Funding rate: 51% - 70%

Funding objective

Ensuring the financing of innovative and high-growth Berlin start-ups and SMEs with sustainable business models to create and secure jobs in Berlin or to prevent job losses through relocation.

Eligible expenses

  • Investments (including acquisitions)
  • Operating resources (e.g., rent, salaries, inventory)

Non-eligible expenses

  • Withdrawals and payments to shareholders
  • Refinancing of existing loans
  • Projects already completed and fully financed
  • Violations of environmental and social legal requirements
  • Support of criminal activities

Eligible to apply

  • Companies
  • Founders

Funding requirements

  • Group turnover up to EUR 75,000,000
  • Legal form as a corporation or other suitable legal form
  • Registered office or place of business in Berlin for at least 3 months (if headquarters outside the EU: majority of full-time employees in Berlin)
  • Innovative and growth-oriented business model
  • Marketable product and profitable or profitability within 18 months
  • Show more

Documents required for application

  1. ["Sub-participation offer from the accredited intermediary", "Declaration of commitment from the company with all attachments", "Draft contract for the intended BIG participation", "Company presentation", "Tabular CVs of the managing directors", "Participation organizational chart with ownership and shareholding structures", "SME self-declaration (interlinked/not interlinked)", "Excerpt from the commercial register and list of shareholders/share register", "Excerpt from the transparency register", "Articles of association (current version and draft)", "All applicable shareholder agreements", "Resolutions or agreements not yet executed", "Current cap table with key terms", "Annual financial statements and consolidated financial statements for the last 3 fiscal years", "Business management evaluation (BWA) and trial balance for the last month", "Business plan including investment and action planning, projected profit and loss statement, and liquidity planning for 24 months", "Business strategy or exit documents", "Existing loan and convertible loan agreements", "Agreements with shareholders and managing directors", "PEP declarations of all beneficial

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content of the business model
  • Growth potential
  • Market viability of the product or service
  • Profitability or achievement of profitability
  • Realistic exit perspective
  • Economic viability

Description

BerlinInnoGrowth (“BIG” Program) offers Berlin-based start-ups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises tailored equity financing to strengthen future-proof business models in the real economy. Together with accredited private co-investors, open equity participations or convertible loans are provided in ticket sizes ranging from €350,000 to €2 million, with IBB Capital assuming 51%–70%. The program targets companies with marketable products or services that are already profitable or aiming for profitability within 18 months. Thematically, the funding covers digitalization, consulting, corporate financing, social innovation, labor, as well as agriculture and rural development. The goal is to create and secure jobs in Berlin and to prevent relocations through growth-oriented co-financing.

Eligible to participate are corporations or comparable legal forms with group revenues up to €75 million and at least three months of operational presence in Berlin. Applications may only be submitted by accredited intermediaries; commitments can be granted until 15.12.2026, with submission recommended by 15.09.2026. Eligible expenses include investments, acquisitions, and operating resources such as rent, salaries, and inventory; refinancing, profit distributions, or already completed projects are excluded. Evaluation is based on innovation content, growth potential, profitability, exit perspective, and economic viability. A comprehensive documentation is required for application, including sub-participation offer, declaration of commitment, articles of association, business management evaluation (BWA), annual financial statements, transparency register excerpt, business plan, and ESG self-declaration. Intermediaries assume reporting obligations and accompany the entire investment process. There is no legal entitlement to co-financing; the final decision rests with IBB Capital in coordination with the intermediaries. Flexibility in application submission is provided, though timely submission is recommended.

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