Support for Start-ups and Scale-ups
Grants for innovative start-ups (up to €40,000 scholarship) and scale-ups (up to 85% of eligible expenses) in Hesse. Applications can be submitted at any time.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for innovative start-ups and scale-ups in Hesse in founding and development projects
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Fees for third parties
- Rent for event venues
- Expenses for low-value assets
Non-eligible expenses
- Travel expenses
- Debt repayment
- Costs before project start
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Innovative, economically viable business models
- Start-ups ≤ 5 years, scale-ups ≤ 10 years
- Headquarters in Hesse no later than three months after approval
- Scale-ups with at least 10 employees
- Early stage without market maturity
Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Pitch deck
- Project description
- Business plan
- Financing plan
- SME declaration
- Business registration
Evaluation criteria
- Description of the business idea
- Degree of innovation
- Market and growth potential
- Sustainability aspects
- Competitive situation
- Financial planning
- Quality of the founding team
Description
The funding of innovative start-up ventures in Hesse is aimed at technology-oriented, knowledge-based, and scalable start-ups (up to five years) as well as scale-ups (up to ten years) with economically viable business models. The goal is to support the establishment and further development of young companies and to sustainably strengthen the Hessian innovation ecosystem. Eligible to apply are, in addition to founders and companies, start-up centers, incubators, universities, chambers, advisory offices, associations, and clubs that specifically carry out projects for the qualification, networking, and competitiveness enhancement of start-ups and scale-ups. The selection process includes a technical evaluation based on criteria such as business idea, level of innovation, market and growth potential, sustainability aspects, competitive situation, financial planning, and team quality.
Funding is provided in the form of non-repayable grants: The start-up scholarship enables a one-time funding of up to €40,000 over a maximum of 12 months, while project funding is subsidized with up to 85% of eligible expenses. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, material costs, fees for third parties, rental costs for event spaces, and expenses for low-value assets. Excluded are travel expenses, debt repayment, and projects prior to the approval date. Applications can be submitted at any time and are processed in two stages via a project outline and a comprehensive application procedure at HA Hessen Agentur GmbH as the granting authority on behalf of the Hessian Ministry for Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing, and Rural Areas. Applicants thus receive tailored support to transform ideas into marketable business models and to strengthen Hesse as an attractive location for start-ups.
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