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Berlin Innovative
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Loan
Last updated: 14.6.2025

The Berlin Innovative program offers innovative companies in Berlin the opportunity to receive loans for investments, working capital, and business start-ups. It features a 70% liability exemption for commercial banks and is supported by EU initiatives such as InnovFin and EFSI to improve access to finance.

Who is funded?

The Berlin Innovative program targets innovative companies with a registered office or permanent establishment in Berlin. It supports start-ups, SMEs, smaller mid-caps, and freelancers who must meet specific innovation or digitization criteria. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of these companies and enable productive investments.

What is funded?

The program finances a wide range of business projects, including business start-ups, investments, stock increases, and general working capital needs. The focus is on promoting innovation and digitization projects that meet specific criteria.

Type and Scope of Funding

Berlin Innovative offers loans with a mandatory liability exemption for the commercial banks. The loan amount ranges from EUR 100,000 to EUR 2 million and can cover up to 100 percent of eligible costs. The loan terms are flexible, extending up to 10 years.

Conditions and Requirements

To receive funding, applicants must meet specific innovation and digitization criteria and must not be companies in difficulty. Loan conditions, including the interest rate, are set individually for each customer. The financing can be combined with other funding programs, provided that EU state aid limits are not exceeded.

Application Procedure

The application for Berlin Innovative is submitted indirectly via the applicant's commercial bank, which forwards the application to Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB). The IBB refinances the loan and grants a liability exemption. The commercial bank is also responsible for monitoring the proper use of the loans.

The Berlin Innovative program is based on a special guideline that regulates the low-interest financing of investments and working capital for innovative companies. It is also closely linked to EU state aid provisions, particularly the De minimis Regulation, and is made possible by European financial instruments such as InnovFin and EFSI.

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Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

2.000.000 €

Deadline

Deadline:

always open

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Indirect Management Funding

Region

Region:

Berlin (Germany)

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Basic Research, Applied Research, Experimental Development, Product Development, Market Introduction, Scaling, Commercialization, Planning, Implementation

Funding Provider

Program Level: Regional

Funding Body: Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)

Managed By: Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)

Additional Partners: InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), Commercial Banks

Website: Investitionsbank Berlin