Grant

InnoRampUp

Hamburg funding for innovative DeepTech startups: Grants up to €150,000 for companies and startups under 2 years old. Applications can be submitted at any time before the project start.

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Hamburg
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding amount: up to €150,000 per project
Funding rate: up to 90%

Funding objective

The InnoRampUp funding program supports innovative start-ups and young, innovative companies (maximum 2 years in existence) in Hamburg in carrying out technologically demanding projects aimed at market establishment and growth.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel expenses
  • Flat rate for overhead costs
  • External services
  • Material, supplies, and other costs

Non-eligible expenses

  • Entertainment expenses
  • Meal expenses
  • Purchase of land or buildings
  • Acquisition of passenger cars and sales vehicles
  • Leases, hereditary building rights fees, real estate transfer tax

Eligible to apply

  • Companies
  • Founders

Funding requirements

  • Company headquarters in Hamburg
  • Company existence not older than 2 years
  • Fewer than 50 employees
  • Annual turnover or balance sheet total up to €10 million
  • Project not yet started
  • Show more

Documents required for application

  1. Project description
  2. Pitch deck
  3. Financial plan
  4. Resumes
  5. Proof of shareholder structure

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content of the project
  • Recognizable market potential
  • Convincing financing plan
  • Contribution to the sustainability goals

Description

The InnoRampUp funding program supports technologically highly innovative startups based in Hamburg that have been established for less than two years. The target group consists of small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of up to €10 million. The funding objective is the implementation of demanding DeepTech projects aimed at market establishment and sustainable growth. As a grant, up to €150,000 per project is available, with a funding rate of up to 90% of eligible expenses. In addition to the level of innovation and market potential, a coherent financing plan and the contribution to the United Nations sustainability goals are among the key evaluation criteria.

Eligible expenses include personnel costs (standard flat rate of €2,800 per founder per month, plus 20.2% employer contributions and a 15% overhead flat rate), external services, material, equipment, and other project costs. Hospitality expenses, real estate purchases, vehicle acquisitions, as well as leases, hereditary building rights fees, and real estate transfer tax are not supported. The application can be submitted at any time before the project start, including a project description, pitch deck, financing plan, CVs, and shareholder structure template. The review takes place in up to three stages by IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH and the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank.

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