Foundation and Growth Financing (GuW Program) – Saxony Loan for Founding and Growth

The Foundation and Growth Financing program is aimed at natural persons, freelancers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a registered office or branch in the Free State of Saxony. The goal is to create and consolidate competitive, innovative, and growth-oriented companies in the region.

The program supports founding and growth projects by granting interest or redemption subsidies for loans. This includes a wide range of investments and measures, from business start-ups and business succession to the diversification of production and the financing of working capital.

Funding is provided in the form of interest or redemption subsidies for loans granted through Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB). The loan amount ranges between EUR 20,000 and EUR 5 million. The amount of subsidies varies depending on the type of loan and can be increased by bonuses for specific projects.

To claim funding, certain conditions must be met, concerning both the project location and the qualifications of the applicants. Specific EU state aid regulations also apply, which affect the eligibility of companies and the cumulation with other aid.

The application for foundation and growth financing must be submitted to the applicant's house bank before the start of the project, which then forwards it to Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB). SAB makes the approval decision and informs the ultimate borrower through the house bank. A simple proof of use is sufficient for subsequent accounting.

The Foundation and Growth Financing is based on the guideline of the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport, supplemented by the Saxon Budget Code and EU state aid regulations such as the GBER and the De minimis Regulation. These legal bases ensure the legitimacy and framework of the funding.