The state of Baden-Württemberg and its business development banks (L-Bank, Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg and Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft) offer founders and medium-sized companies a wide range of public grant programs. Nationally funded programs supplement this range of grants.

The grant programs range from micro financing and loan programs, guarantees and participations to the provision of venture capital and innovation grants programs In addition, there are special grants for

• business start-ups in rural areas,
• spin-offs from research facilities and institutions of higher education,
• business start-up from unemployment or
• innovative, technology-oriented projects.

The Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg encourages counselling in the pre-start-up phase to be optimally prepared for the business start-up.

In the consolidation phase following the start-up, you can make use of additional Federal counselling programs. Also use the free-of-charge or low-priced business start-up advisory services and training programs offered by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Industrie- und Handelskammern) and also the Chambers of Crafts and Trades (Handwerkskammern).

Note: Before you apply for public subsidies or financial assistance from your bank for your project, an orientation session could be helpful. The advisors at the points of contact (Anlaufstellen) can point out your weakness in advance and give valuable assistance.