Funding within the framework of ERP Mezzanine for Innovation
Funding of innovative research and development projects as an integrated package of a traditional loan and a subordinated loan in Germany. Support of up to 100% of eligible costs (minimum €25,000, maximum €5,000,000).
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for market-oriented research and development of new products, methods, processes, or technical services that surpass the international state of the art or are new to the company.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- IT costs
- Travel expenses
- Material costs
- Costs for research and development contracts
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Non-eligible expenses
- Debt restructuring
- Refinancing of already completed projects
- Support for companies in difficulty
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Headquartered in Germany and group turnover not exceeding EUR 500 million
- Privately owned companies or liberal professions with at least 2 years of market activity
- Innovative project must be carried out by the company itself or be substantially supported by the company
- Project must not be listed on the KfW exclusion list and must comply with German environmental and social standards
- No funding for companies in difficulty, nor refinancing or follow-up financing of already completed projects
Documents required for application
- Consent declaration (e.g., SCHUFA report)
- De-minimis declaration
- Proof of use (optional)
Description
The funding package offers companies based in Germany tailored financing for market-oriented research and development projects that surpass the international state of the art or are new to the company. It combines a traditional loan with a subordinated tranche, whereby the amount of the subordinated loan depends on the group turnover. Up to 100% of eligible expenses are funded – from personnel costs to IT, travel, and material expenses, as well as costs for test series, external research and development contracts, quality assurance measures, and proportional overhead costs. A minimum amount of EUR 25,000 and a maximum of EUR 5 million per project are possible. Applications are submitted via a house bank or another credit institution, which forwards the application to the responsible funding bank.
Project applicants must be privately owned companies in the commercial sector with a group turnover of up to EUR 500 million or, as sole proprietors or members of the liberal professions, have been active in the market for at least two years. The innovative project and its responsibility lie primarily with the company; moreover, applicable German environmental and social standards must be observed. Refinancing, follow-up financing of already completed projects, and companies in financial difficulties are excluded. For the application, a consent declaration (e.g., SCHUFA credit report), a de minimis declaration, and optionally a proof of use are required. This financing instrument is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovation potential and seeks to sustainably advance technical services, processes, and products.
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