Equity participation

Equity Investments from the Initial Fund

Silent and open participations for innovative founders with company headquarters and jobs in the state of Bremen. Companies must not be older than three years. Participation capital of up to €750,000 per twelve-month period is possible.

Business Establishment Business Financing

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Bremen
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding amount: Silent participations up to €750,000 per twelve-month period (max. €1.2 million total); open participations up to €20...

Funding objective

Support for technology-oriented and innovative start-ups as well as young SMEs in the state of Bremen through the provision of silent and open participations as equity-like financing to strengthen the capital base and promote growth and innovation processes.

Eligible expenses

  • Investment costs
  • Operating resources
  • Expenditures for innovation and growth measures

Non-eligible expenses

  • Financing of companies in difficulty
  • Export-related activities

Eligible to apply

  • Founders

Funding requirements

  • Company headquarters and jobs located in the state of Bremen
  • SME status according to the EU Commission definition
  • Company age not older than three years
  • Innovative and sustainable business concept
  • Secured total financing

Documents required for application

  1. Detailed information about the company and legal status
  2. Description of the investment project
  3. Financing plan
  4. Proof of SME status

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content of the concept
  • Sustainability and future viability
  • Closed financing structure
  • Market opportunities and technical feasibility

Description

The funding program “Initialfonds” in Bremen is aimed at technology-oriented and innovative start-ups and young SMEs with their headquarters and jobs located in the state of Bremen. Funding is provided for silent partnerships up to €750,000 per twelve months (maximum total volume of €1.2 million) as well as open minority participations up to €200,000 individually or up to €750,000 in co-investment. A maximum company age of three years, a closed overall financing, and a future-proof, sustainable concept are prerequisites. A combination of silent and open participations strengthens the equity base and promotes growth and innovation processes in young companies.

With the goal of improving the capital resources of founders and mobilizing private co-investors, investment costs, operating resources, as well as innovation and growth measures are subsidized. Export-related activities and companies in difficulty are not eligible for funding. Core selection criteria include the degree of innovation, future viability, market opportunities, and technical feasibility. Applications can be submitted continuously to BAB Beteiligungs- und Managementgesellschaft Bremen mbH. Detailed information about the company, legal documents, a description of the investment project, the financing plan, and proof of SME status are required. Thus, the program sustainably contributes to strengthening the start-up scene and implementing forward-looking business models in the state of Bremen.

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