Consulting for Business Founders and Succession (Saarland Consulting Program)

The Saarland Consulting Program targets business founders and company successors in Saarland. It aims to increase the prospects of success and the sustainable securing of start-ups and company takeovers by financially supporting consulting services. Special attention is given to underrepresented groups such as women and migrants, as well as start-ups and takeovers in the skilled crafts sector.

The Saarland Consulting Program supports specific consulting services for business founding and company takeover projects. The focus is on business, financial, and organizational issues. Certain services, such as legal or tax advice, are explicitly excluded. The funding covers both the pre-founding phase and the first 24 months after founding or takeover.

The Saarland Consulting Program provides partial grants for consulting fees, structured as project funding. The amount of the grant varies depending on the project and applicant group, with a maximum daily fee defined. The funding can be claimed for a certain number of daily units both before and after the founding or takeover.

To receive funding, certain legal and formal requirements must be met. This includes the timing of the application, the selection of consultants, compliance with the de minimis rule, and the provision of own contributions. There are clear guidelines for the nature of consulting services and the handling of the grant.

The application procedure for the Saarland Consulting Program is clearly structured. Applications are submitted to saar.is before the start of the consultation, which also assists in the selection of consultants. Approval is granted at the discretion of the authority, and invoicing requires the submission of specific documents such as invoices, final reports, and proof of payment. The program is subject to comprehensive monitoring and evaluation measures.

The Saarland Consulting Program is based on the Guideline for the Granting of Subsidies for Consulting Services for Business Founders and Company Succession from April 4, 2018. It is also subject to the Saarland SME Promotion Act, the State Budget Code, and the European de minimis regulations for aid, which are decisive for the legal structuring and processing of the funding.