Program for Internationalization – Support for SME Projects (PfI-SME)
Grants for small and medium-sized enterprises in Berlin for the development of foreign markets: up to 50% of eligible expenses (minimum €3,000, maximum €12,000 per measure), applications possible at any time, no later than 6 weeks before the start of the measure.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The goal is to promote non-investive business activities aimed at accessing foreign markets. The program strengthens the competitiveness, innovative capacity, and growth of SMEs in Berlin and supports participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and professional events.
Eligible expenses
- Rent for trade fair or presentation space
- Participation fees for trade fairs/congresses/showrooms
- Exhibitor badges/registrations
- AUMA/GEMA fees
- Stand construction (setup and dismantling)
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Non-eligible expenses
- Catering, meals, decoration
- Travel and accommodation
- Telephone, fax, and internet usage
- Personnel expenses for own staff
- External booth staff (hostesses)
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- EU SME definition
- Registered office or place of business in Berlin
- Not eligible: freelancers, retail and wholesale companies, consulting firms
- Projects with expected revenue, earnings, and employment effects in Berlin
- Already achieved revenues from marketing the products/services
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Documents required for application
- Signature specimen sheet
- Copy of personal identification document
- Business registration/extract from register
- PEP declaration (Politically Exposed Person)
- De-minimis declaration
- SME self-declaration
- Tax office confirmation of no entitlement to input tax deduction
- Declaration of stand organizer for joint stand
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the internationalization measures
- Expected economic effects (revenue, profit, jobs) in Berlin
- Proof of revenues already achieved
- Connection with R&D activities and market launch
Description
Purpose of Funding and Services
The state-owned program supports Berlin-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with non-repayable grants for international market development. Project-related expenses related to participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, congresses, fashion shows, and showrooms at home and abroad with a predominantly professional focus are funded. The grant covers up to 50% of eligible costs, with each individual measure subsidized between €3,000 and €12,000. Eligible items include, among others, rental and stand fees, stand construction, operating costs (electricity, water, internet), transport, AUMA/GEMA fees, as well as entries in official trade fair catalogs. The objective is to strengthen the competitiveness, innovative capacity, and growth of SMEs in Berlin through targeted support in introducing innovative products on international platforms.
Participation Requirements and Application Procedure
Eligible to apply are SMEs from the manufacturing sector, production-related service companies, and defined clusters with headquarters or a place of business in Berlin; excluded are trading, consulting companies, and freelancers. A prerequisite for the grant is proof of already achieved sales in the relevant field of activity and a close connection of the measure with R&D-based market launches. Submissions can be made online at any time via the IBB customer portal, no later than six weeks before the project start and at most twelve months in advance. In addition to the completed application form, the application package includes a signature specimen sheet, SME self-declaration, de minimis declaration, business registration/extract from the register, proof of input tax deduction entitlement, and, if applicable, PEP declaration. The evaluation is based on the degree of innovation, expected sales, earnings, and employment effects in Berlin, as well as proof of already achieved sales.