Innovations in SMEs

The funding program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, founders, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations based in Berlin. It continuously offers grants to support technological, digital, and internationally oriented innovation projects. Projects are funded in the thematic areas of research & innovation, digitalization, corporate financing, foreign trade, vocational training, and education for sustainable development. Applications can generally be submitted at any time, although certain subprograms with competitive calls have specific deadlines. Within the framework of the ERDF program, funds will flow until the end of 2029 into the expansion of research and innovation capacities as well as the strengthening of the competitiveness of Berlin SMEs.

The program aims to contribute to the Berlin-Brandenburg Innovation Strategy (InnoBB 2025). The focus is on industrial research, experimental development, digitalization, and internationalization. Applicants must demonstrate that their projects are assigned to the InnoBB 2025 clusters and contribute to increasing competitiveness and growth potential. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, contribution to competitiveness, and alignment with the InnoBB strategy. Eligibility requirements include having a business location in Berlin or a Berlin-Brandenburg consortium partnership, as well as a clear focus on technological and digital research projects. Research institutions can be involved as partners in collaborative projects. The program thus sustainably promotes the innovative strength and international networking of Berlin SMEs and makes an important contribution to regional value creation and digitalization.