Innovation Funding – Innovative Business Start-ups
The State of Hesse promotes innovative small business start-ups through equity investments and grants. The program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Hesse as an economic location and foster sustainable growth, particularly in high-technology-based areas and the key sectors of Hesse's innovation strategy. It supports expenses for technical development, intellectual property rights, and start-up related costs.
Who is Funded
The State of Hesse supports innovative small businesses, especially high-technology-based start-ups, that have their operational and tax domicile in Hesse. The funding aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Hesse as an economic location and contribute to sustainable, smart, and inclusive growth, particularly in the defined key areas of the Hessian innovation strategy.
What is Funded
The program supports the technical development of product and service ideas, the securing of intellectual property and trademark rights, and all expenses associated with business start-ups. Additionally, measures to increase innovation and competitiveness are promoted, with a focus on specific key areas of the Hessian innovation strategy.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding is provided either through capital in the form of open or silent partnerships, or as a non-repayable grant. The funding amount varies depending on the funding instrument and the geographical location of the company within Hesse.
Conditions and Requirements
The approval of funding is tied to various conditions, including the creditworthiness of applicants, the professional and commercial experience of the management, and, for high-technology-based companies, ensuring support from a start-up institution. Furthermore, specific EU state aid rules such as the GBER and De minimis regulation must be observed. Funding also requires that the project has not yet started.
Application Procedure
The application procedure requires the written submission of complete documents to the respective competent authorities before the project begins. The selection of projects is discretionary and subject to a thorough review by the granting authority, which may also involve third parties.
Legal Basis
The innovation funding of the State of Hesse is based on the Guidelines of the State of Hesse for Innovation Funding from March 29, 2023. This is supplemented by relevant state laws and EU regulations, particularly the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and regulations concerning the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which ensure the legal framework and compliance with state aid rules.
Similar Programs
No similar programs found.
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Closed
Maximum Amount:
800.000 € GGE, in C-funding areas 1.200.000 € GGE; grant up to 25.000 €
Open Until:
30.06.2024
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
Hesse (Werra-Meißner-Kreis, Vogelsbergkreis, Waldeck-Frankenberg district, Gießen district, Hersfeld-Rotenburg district, Kassel administrative district, Gießen administrative district, Odenwald district, Bergstraße district, Darmstadt-Dieburg district)
Sectors:
Healthcare, Medical Technology, Pharmaceutical Industry, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Food Processing, Green Technology, Environmental and Climate Protection, Water and Waste Management, Energy Production and Supply, Renewable Energy, Information and Communication Technology, Software Development, Transportation and Logistics, Financial Technology, Creative Industries, Other
Application Type:
Optional Consortium
Funding Stages:
Experimental Development, Prototyping, Product Development, Market Introduction, Commercialization
Funding Provider
Program Level:
Regional
Funding Body:
Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing (HMWEVW), Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts (HMWK)
Managed By:
BM H Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH, Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank)