Grants for growth, investment and innovation
Growth, investment and innovation are essential for a successful company. In practice, however, they are often difficult to stem financially. Grants not only mitigate the financial risk of growth, investment and innovation, they also bring a number of other benefits. In this way, subsidies act like equity capital and can thus improve the economic equity capital, the rating and the bank’s own creditworthiness, which further facilitates the provision of credit by the house bank. Grants can be applied for under various funding programmes, some of which are also open to all topics.
Subsidies for growth
In order to achieve long-term success as a company, it is necessary to grow. However, since growth is always associated with additional expenditure, it is delicate from a financial point of view. The Federal Government and the Federal States have therefore created various instruments to offer support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular by providing subsidies for growth. In general, tangible growth investments such as land, buildings, vehicles, machinery, plant and other equipment can be supported. In the same way, however, intangible growth investments such as consulting services and measures to open up markets can receive support.
Depending on the size and the location of the company, the type of project and the financial requirements, different funding options may be considered. In addition to investment grants, an entrepreneur loan from the reconstruction loan corporation (KfW), for example, can be used. The KfW Entrepreneur Loan promotes the operating resources and investments of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The prerequisite for this is that the companies have already been active on the market for five years. As in other KfW programmes, SMEs enjoy special privileges here, such as favourable interest conditions.
Grants for investments
Expanding as a company also entails a need for investment. Companies that grow thus also invest. Investments can be of different nature. They include, for example:
- Land and buildings
- Machinery, plant and equipment
- Expansion of the vehicle fleet
- New and further development of products and processes
- Expansion of operating resources etc.
The Federal Government and the federal states have a wide range of funding programmes for this phase. On the one hand investments and on the other hand personnel costs can be promoted. Grants can be applied for investments especially in the structurally and economically weak areas of Germany. Such grants are primarily GRW funding (joint task). Under the joint Federal Government / Federal States scheme for improving regional economic structures (GRW), existing and newly established enterprises receive funds – mainly in the form of grants, but partly also as wage subsidies. Large enterprises, but especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), receive support.
Depending on the size of the company, up to 30% of investment grants can be received in this way. Since grants act as equity, they have a positive impact on the financing structure and profitability of a project. Grants thus ensure that a project can actually be carried out. Some regions are also eligible for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The latter has set itself the task of eliminating as far as possible, inter alia, economic differences within the European Union.
Do you need help finding and applying for the investment grant that is right for you? Contact us – we will be glad to help you!
Grants for innovations
Innovations offer the opportunity to develop new products and drive the company forward. Because innovations not only increase competitiveness and expand the sales market – new customers can also be won in this way. In order to receive grants for innovations, you can choose from a wide range of funding programmes and thus find the technology funding that best suits your company and project. Possible funding programmes in this context include, among others:
- The Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM)
- KMU-Innovative (programme for innovative SMEs)
- go-Innovative (go-Inno)
- Horizon 2020 SME
- BAFA – Advisory support
- Modernity Fund (mFUND)
- The Environmental Innovation Programme (UIP)
Get in touch with us!
No matter whether you need a grant due to growth, investment or innovation – we at DORUCON – DR. RUPP CONSULTING GmbH are at your disposal for advice and the entire process of applying for a grant.
If you are interested in receiving subsidies for growth, investment or innovations, please get in touch with us.