Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneer Solutions (IGP)
Nationwide funding for SMEs, start-ups, non-profit organizations, and research institutions for the development of market-oriented, non-technical innovation projects. Thematic calls with submission deadlines, grants up to 100%, and maximum funding amounts of up to €330,000.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Strengthening the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as cooperative projects with research institutions by promoting feasibility and market readiness projects featuring novel, non-technical business models and pioneering solutions.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Other material costs
- Costs for contracts with third parties
- Travel expenses
Non-eligible expenses
- Routine adjustment work
- Contract processing by third parties
- Double funding through parallel programs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Founders
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Permanent establishment or branch in Germany
- SME according to EU definition
- Novelty of the problem solution nationally and internationally
- No approval of an IGP project in the last year
- Compliance with the de minimis ceiling
Documents required for application
- Application for participation (outline)
- Full application with work plan and proof of financing
- Cooperation agreement (for joint projects)
- De minimis declaration
- Business registration or commercial register excerpt
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation
- Market potential
- Positive effects on third parties
- Quality and persuasiveness of the project
- Qualification and motivation of the project participants
- Funding requirement/incentive effect
Description
The Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneer Solutions (IGP) supports market-oriented, non-technical innovation projects by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, founders, non-profit organizations, as well as research institutions in Germany. In thematic funding rounds ("calls"), feasibility projects (maximum duration 12 months) are funded with up to €80,000 and market readiness projects (maximum duration 24 months) with up to €330,000. The grant rate ranges between 45% and 100% depending on the company size and project type, and up to 100% for research institutions. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, material costs, external service contracts, and travel expenses. The program funds innovative service concepts, business models, and social or ecological pioneer solutions that demonstrate novelty at the national and international level and would not be realized or would be significantly delayed without funding.
Submission takes place in two stages: initially, participation applications ("sketches") must be submitted online via the positron:s platform by August 19, 2025 (5th call) or February 5, 2026 (6th call) at the latest. Subsequently, the jury and project sponsors invite selected applicants to pitches and request full proposals via easy-Online. Key requirements include a convincing project plan, proof of EU SME definition, De-minimis declaration, business registration or commercial register excerpt, and in the case of consortium projects, a cooperation agreement. The jury evaluates applications based on the level of innovation, market potential, positive impact on third parties, quality of planning, qualifications of participants, and funding need. The funding aims to strengthen new ideas for digital, creative, social, and ecological business models as well as pioneer solutions and to accelerate their market readiness. Interested organizations can find comprehensive information on the official pages of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
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