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Start-up Grant
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Grant
Last updated: 14.6.2025

The Start-up Grant from the Federal Employment Agency offers unemployed individuals crucial start-up aid for their path to self-employment. It provides two-part financial support covering both living expenses and contributions to social security. The program facilitates entry into full-time self-employment in Germany.

Who is funded: Target Groups and Coverage

The Start-up Grant targets unemployed individuals who wish to become self-employed. The funding aims to financially support these founders during the initial phase of their business establishment and facilitate their entry into self-employment. The program is available nationwide in Germany.

What is funded: Content and Costs

The Start-up Grant supports personal livelihood during the early phases of business establishment. No specific projects or material costs are funded, but rather the financial security of the founder themselves. The funding is applicable across all sectors and targets the business start-up phase.

Type and Scope of Funding: Financial Aspects

The Start-up Grant is provided as a direct grant in two phases to offer financial stability to founders during the initial phase of their self-employment. The amount of funding varies in the two phases and is limited to a total duration of 15 months.

Conditions and Requirements: Eligibility Criteria

To receive the Start-up Grant, certain conditions must be met, particularly regarding the timing of the application and the status of the self-employed activity. The program is designed not to exclude other funding for business establishment.

Application Procedure: Path to Funding

The application procedure for the Start-up Grant is direct and must be initiated with the responsible Federal Employment Agency before the self-employed activity begins.

The Start-up Grant is based on specific paragraphs of the Social Code Book (SGB) Third Book and is regulated in detail by supplementary technical directives from the Federal Employment Agency. These documents form the legal basis for the granting and processing of the funding.

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Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

Amount of the last unemployment benefit plus €300.00 monthly for 6 months; subsequently €300.00 monthly for 9 months

Deadline

Deadline:

always open

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Demand Driven Scheme

Region

Region:

Germany

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Start-up founders

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Planning, Market Introduction, Commercialization

Funding Provider

Program Level: National

Funding Body: Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)

Managed By: Federal Employment Agency (BA)

Website: Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)