Guarantee

Growth in the North

Low-interest loan starting at €25,000 with default guarantee (50%–80%) for start-ups and medium-sized enterprises in Schleswig-Holstein – straightforward and efficient.

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Schleswig-Holstein
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding amount: €25,000 to €4,000,000 loan; default guarantee up to €2,000,000
Funding rate: 50% - 80%
Project duration: 240 months

Funding objective

The Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), together with Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein GmbH, supports start-ups as well as medium-sized enterprises, including craft businesses and members of the liberal professions, with low-interest loans combined with default guarantees. Funding is provided for investment projects, working capital, and commercial owner-occupied real estate with the aim of sustainably creating and securing jobs.

Eligible expenses

  • Investment projects
  • Operating resources
  • Commercial, owner-occupied real estate

Non-eligible expenses

  • Projects of primary production of agricultural products, fisheries, and aquaculture
  • Debt restructuring and refinancing of already completed projects
  • Follow-up financing and extensions of existing loans
  • Companies in difficulty and restructuring loans

Eligible to apply

  • Founders
  • Companies

Funding requirements

  • Company headquarters or investment location in Schleswig-Holstein
  • Medium-sized enterprises, including craft businesses and members of the liberal professions
  • Best possible collateralization of the guaranteed loan

Documents required for application

  1. Complete application form
  2. Project description
  3. Financing plan
  4. Annual financial statements
  5. Business management evaluations

Evaluation criteria

  • Creditworthiness of the company
  • Value retention of the collateral
  • Sustainable creation and safeguarding of jobs

Description

The Growth in the North program supports start-ups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, including craft businesses and members of the liberal professions, with their company headquarters or investment location in Schleswig-Holstein. Through an uncomplicated and efficient process via the house bank, the Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH) combines low-interest loans ranging from 25,000 to 4,000,000 euros with a default guarantee from the Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein covering 50% to 80%. Funding is provided for investment projects, working capital, and commercially owner-occupied real estate, with the goal of sustainably creating and securing jobs. Continuous application opportunities ensure flexible coverage of needs throughout the entire project period of up to 240 months.

For the application, a complete application form, a detailed project description, a comprehensive financing plan, as well as the latest annual financial statements and business evaluations are required. A prerequisite is the best possible collateralization of the guaranteed loan. Projects related to primary production of agricultural products, fisheries and aquaculture, refinancing of past projects, follow-up financing, and restructuring loans for companies in difficulty are excluded from funding. Decisions on funding applications are based on the company’s creditworthiness, the value retention of the collateral, and the contribution to regional employment development. With a funding rate of up to 80%, the program offers reliable financing prospects for both founding teams and established companies alike, strengthening economic and employment growth in the true North.

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