Funding for the Development of Prototypes by Start-ups (Go-to-Market Voucher)
Funding for the development of prototypes of digital products by micro-enterprises and start-ups in NRW with up to €50,000 funding amount and a 70% funding rate. Submission possible until 31.10.2026, 4:00 PM.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the development of an innovative idea into a prototype of a digital product to enable start-ups in North Rhine-Westphalia to achieve a successful market entry and to advance digital and sustainable transformation.
Eligible expenses
- Services for direct prototype development (software creation, hardware development, product design, UI/UX design, licensing of external content)
- Services for indirect prototype development (business model development, market/product and target group analyses, marketing, sales)
- Procurement of preliminary products and partial solutions for the prototype including license fees
- Coaching services and other consulting services
Non-eligible expenses
- Expenditures to related parties and affiliated companies
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Company headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Founded no more than three years ago
- Non-listed micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover or annual balance sheet under €2 million
- No profit distribution
- No takeover or merger with another company (exceptions under 10% turnover rule)
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Documents required for application
- Funding application via EFRE.NRW online portal or in writing
- Letters of intent from coach and mentor
- SME declaration
- Project description including business model
- Financing plan
- Annual financial statements of the last two fiscal years (if available)
- Current business management evaluation (BWA) and, if applicable, income surplus statement (EÜR)
Evaluation criteria
- Plausibility and appropriateness of the project
- Contribution to sustainability
- Contribution to innovation fields of the Regional Innovation Strategy NRW
- Innovative and economic potential
Description
Support for the Development of Prototypes by Start-ups (Go-to-Market Voucher) is aimed at non-listed micro-enterprises and young start-ups in North Rhine-Westphalia that have been in existence for no more than three years, employ fewer than ten staff, and have not yet distributed profits. The goal is to accompany innovative ideas up to the functional prototype stage of digital products. Project-related expenses of up to €50,000 are eligible for funding at a rate of 70% – corresponding to a maximum grant of €35,000. The application deadline is ongoing until October 31, 2026, 4 p.m. The project duration is up to twelve months, allowing founders to prepare their market entry flexibly and through a single-stage process.
Eligible expenses include direct services for software and hardware development, product and UI/UX design, as well as licensing of external content. Additionally, indirect services such as business model development, market and target group analyses, marketing and sales, procurement of preliminary products or partial solutions, as well as coaching services and advisory mentors are included. A prerequisite is support by a coach and a mentor who, through a letter of intent, contribute their expertise in start-up coaching and industry networks. Selection is based on criteria such as plausibility, contribution to sustainability, relevance to the innovation fields of the Regional Innovation Strategy NRW, and economic potential. The funding application is submitted via the EFRE.NRW.online portal or in writing to the Innovation Promotion Agency NRW and requires a project description including business model, financing plan, SME declaration, and, if applicable, annual financial statements, business management evaluations (BWA), and income-expenditure accounts (EÜR). This offer supports start-ups in making digital business models market-ready and advancing digital as well as sustainable transformation.
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