GuW Hessen (ERP)
Loans for start-ups, freelancers, and SMEs in Hesse to finance investments and working capital – up to €1 million with fixed terms of 2, 5, 10, or 20 years. Application through the house bank procedure.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Financing of equipment, machinery, land, buildings, construction costs, furnishings, company vehicles, operational and business equipment, intangible investments (licenses, patents, software), liquid assets, personnel costs, rents, marketing and consulting expenses, material and goods inventory as well as business start-up, succession, and participation.
Eligible expenses
- Equipment and machinery
- Land and buildings
- Construction costs
- Furnishings
- Company vehicles
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Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
- Cooperatives
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Application before the start of the project through a house bank
- Company headquartered in Hesse
- SME according to the EU definition
- De minimis aid: Compliance with EU Regulation 2023/2831
Documents required for application
- Application form (via house bank)
- Financing plan
- De minimis declaration
- Statistical supplement
- If applicable, evidence of investment projects
Evaluation criteria
- Economic efficiency of the project
- Sustainability and innovative character
- Creditworthiness and securities
Description
The Founding and Growth Financing Hessen (ERP) supports start-ups, freelancers, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises based in Hessen with investments and ongoing working capital. Loans of up to €1 million can be applied for through the house bank procedure. The funds are available for financing equipment, machinery, land, buildings, and construction costs, as well as for furnishings, company vehicles, intangible investments (e.g., licenses, patents, software), and material and goods inventory. Additional financing for personnel and marketing costs, rent payments, or consulting fees completes the offering. Standard terms of 2, 5, 10, and 20 years with a fixed agreed-upon nominal interest rate provide planning security; grace periods on repayments can be agreed upon depending on the term. Short-term operational needs can be covered by a bullet loan with a two-year term.
A prerequisite for funding is the submission of the application through a house bank before the start of the project, as well as compliance with the EU SME definition and the De minimis regulation. Selection criteria include economic viability, innovative character, sustainability, as well as creditworthiness and collateral. The program also serves business formation, succession, and participation, enabling part-time start-ups and commercial social enterprises with profit-making intent. A fixed funding framework combined with flexible terms creates attractive conditions to sustainably implement forward-looking projects and promote entrepreneurial growth in Hessen.
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