Innovative Business Start-ups (InnoStartBonus)

The InnoStartBonus supports innovative and sustainable start-ups in the Free State of Saxony. Founders aged 18 and over with their main residence in Saxony can receive a monthly living allowance of €1,050, plus an additional €150 child bonus per dependent child – each for up to 12 months. The funding targets product, service, process, or business model innovative projects whose feasible market potential, viability, and level of innovation are evaluated through a competitive procedure. futureSAX provides conceptual support to recipients before, during, and after the funding phase, facilitates valuable contacts within the Saxon innovation ecosystem, and offers individual expert feedback. The goal is to establish a solid foundation for future-oriented companies and to strengthen regional innovative capacity.

Applications are submitted via an online idea paper containing all essential information about the business idea and planned implementation steps. A maximum of two applicants per project can participate; university R&D expenses exceeding 15% of operating costs as well as recipients of BAföG, unemployment benefits, or start-up grants are excluded. After a positive pre-selection by the expert panel, the formal application is submitted to the Saxon Development Bank – Förderbank (SAB). The next call closes on September 15, 2026. futureSAX regularly informs interested parties about workshops, pitch training, and networking events. With the InnoStartBonus, founders receive not only financial support but also professional guidance during the critical phase before and at the start of company formation.