Microcredit from the SME Fund
Microloans up to EUR 50,000 for the founding, early phase, and expansion of SMEs in Berlin with fair interest rates and terms of up to 6 years. Application must be submitted before the project start.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Financing of investments and working capital for the promotion of start-ups and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Berlin, including business takeovers, new settlements, expansions, and advance financing of orders.
Eligible expenses
- Investment costs
- Operating resources
- Order pre-financing
Non-eligible expenses
- Refinancing of already started projects
- Investments in companies in difficulty
- Investments in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, coal, mining, nuclear power, and tobacco
- Development costs
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Permanent establishment in Berlin
- Application before project start
- Sustainable strengthening of competitiveness
- Creditworthiness and repayment ability
- Sufficient business management expertise
Documents required for application
- Application form
- Viable business concept (business plan)
- De-minimis declaration
- SME self-declaration
- ESG self-declaration
- Signature specimen sheet
- Self-disclosure
- Copy of identity card
- Curriculum vitae
Evaluation criteria
- Creditworthiness and Repayment Capacity
- Sustainability and Competitiveness
- Viable Business Concept
Description
The microcredit from the SME fund of the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) provides small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and freelancers with a business location in Berlin straightforward access to tailored financing. Loans of up to EUR 50,000 can be used for the acquisition of capital goods, operating resources, or the pre-financing of specific existing orders. The terms include a duration of up to six years – including a one-year grace period – with fair nominal interest rates. A full disbursement of 100% is possible, provided a sustainable business concept exists and creditworthiness as well as repayment capability are ensured. The funding rate is 100%, and a combination with other programs such as the "GründungsBONUS" is possible.
Eligible applicants are all commercial and freelance SMEs conducting their business activities in Berlin and submitting their application before the start of the project. Prerequisites include a sustainable strengthening of competitiveness, sufficient business management expertise, and the availability of all required documents – from the business plan and de minimis declaration to the ESG self-declaration and a meaningful financial plan. Refinancing of already commenced projects as well as investments in companies in difficulty or in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, coal, mining, nuclear power, and tobacco are excluded. The IBB reviews the concept, supports the application process both digitally and analog, and concludes a private law loan agreement upon positive evaluation. The program enables effective growth and start-up financing for future-oriented projects in the capital region.
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