Loan for SMEs (FRL DFM) – Digitization Loan
Low-interest loan for digitalization projects in small and medium-sized enterprises as well as members of the liberal professions in Saxony. Financing shares of up to 100% possible, maximum amount €250,000. Applications accepted continuously via the SAB funding portal or through the house bank.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Free State of Saxony supports small and medium-sized enterprises, members of the liberal professions, and start-ups in Saxony in the implementation and financing of digitization projects in order to increase the level of digitization within the company, digitize complex business processes, and introduce or improve new or existing business models.
Eligible expenses
- External services for planning, design, preparation, and implementation
- Procurement of necessary hardware and software
- Implementation within the company including training
Non-eligible expenses
- Expenditures for legally mandated tasks
- Personnel costs
- Expenditures for business premises outside Saxony
- Shared use by affiliated or partner companies
- Basic ICT equipment
- Show more
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Registered office or place of business in the Free State of Saxony
- Commercially active SMEs, members of the liberal professions, or start-ups from the fourth year after establishment
- Improvement of the level of digitization within the company
- Digitization of complex business processes
- Introduction of new or improvement of existing business models
Documents required for application
- Completed application form
- Project description and financing plan
- Proof of company headquarters in Saxony
- Declarations from the house bank (form SAB63551/SAB63552)
Description
With the Loan for SMEs (FRL DFM) – Digitalization Loan, the Free State of Saxony promotes low-interest loans for digital transformation projects of commercial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), members of the liberal professions, and start-ups with headquarters or business premises in the Free State. Financing can cover up to 100% of eligible expenses – at least €30,000 and a maximum of €250,000. The goal is to digitalize complex business processes, sustainably increase the level of digitalization within the company, and introduce or optimize new or existing business models. The loan term is up to 72 months, including a one-year grace period and fixed monthly installments. Applications can be submitted continuously via the SAB funding portal or through the applicant’s house bank.
Eligible costs primarily include external services for planning, design, and implementation, the acquisition of necessary hardware and software, as well as their introduction including training. Ineligible costs include, among others, personnel costs, legally mandated obligations, basic ICT equipment, telecommunications systems, online marketing measures, and training without direct project relevance. Essential requirements include proof of a company location in Saxony, a minimum operating period of three years for start-ups, and a significant improvement in the level of digitalization. Combining this loan with complementary funding programs is permitted. Interested companies and founders can obtain further information on funding conditions, required documents, and legal framework from the Saxon Development Bank – Förderbank – (SAB).