Promotion of Regional Development – Startup Centers Open
The state of Hesse supports the establishment and operation of regional, virtual, and specialized startup centers. The goal is to promote the creation of new, future-oriented, and competitive businesses. Support is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant, typically covering 50 percent of eligible expenses.
Who is funded
This funding is aimed at operators of startup centers in Hesse who wish to foster the creation of new, future-oriented and competitive businesses. Eligible applicants include municipal and public bodies, as well as certain legal entities. The measures must support founders and newly established companies in upper and middle centers in Hesse, primarily in ERDF and GRW areas.
What is funded
This program promotes the establishment and equipping of various types of startup centers, as well as their operation and the support of startups. Eligible measures include investments in buildings and initial equipment for regional centers, ongoing operating expenses for virtual centers, and the onward transfer of grants to innovative startups by specialized centers. The funded projects aim to support young companies in their startup and initial phases.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant as project funding through co-financing. The funding rate is generally 50 percent of the eligible expenses. The commitment period for funded buildings is 15 years, for initial equipment 5 years, and for virtual startup centers, ongoing operating expenses can be funded for up to 3 years.
Conditions and Requirements
The funding is subject to various conditions and state aid regulations to ensure compliance with guidelines and the onward transfer of the economic advantage to the target group. This includes compliance with the De Minimis Regulation or GBER for end recipients, ensuring overall financing, and annual reporting obligations.
Application Procedure
The application process must be initiated with WIBank before the start of the project and can also be done electronically. Official forms must be used for GRW applications. Approval is based on a detailed concept of the startup center and, for specialized centers, the evaluation of the business plan of the funded startups.
Legal Basis
The funding for startup centers in Hesse is based on the guidelines of the State of Hesse for the promotion of regional development. This guideline defines the purpose of the grant, the funding objects, and the state aid classification, and is oriented towards overarching EU regulations.
Funding Overview
Maximum Amount:
50 percent of eligible expenses
Deadline:
always open
Open Until:
Ongoing
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
Upper and Middle Centers (Hesse), ERDF priority areas (Hesse), regional GRW funding areas (Hesse)
Sectors:
Other
Beneficiaries:
Startup centers, founders, and newly established companies
Funding Stages:
Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Basic Research, Applied Research, Experimental Development, Prototyping, Product Development, Market Introduction, Commercialization
Funding Provider
Program Level: National
Funding Body: Hessian Ministry for Economy, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Development
Managed By: Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank)
Website: WI Bank