As part of regional and national funding programmes, you will receive intensive start-up coaching as well as financial support in the form of material, personnel or coaching funds.
Here you will find an initial overview of funding opportunities. There are, of course, many other programmes. The best way to find out which programme best suits your start-up is to talk to us personally. You will also receive support with your application and we will guide and support you throughout the entire funding period.
Feel free to contact us!
Funding programmes: EXIST grants
In particular innovative start-up ideas have the chance to receive an EXIST grant. At BRIDGE, we primarily arrange two different funding programmes within the framework of EXIST. We also provide information about regional funding programmes and put you in touch with the relevant contact persons:
Federal programme: EXIST Start-up Grant
The EXIST Start-up Grant is a funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It supports the realisation of a start-up idea and its implementation in a business plan. It should be an innovative technology-oriented or knowledge-based project with significant unique selling points and good prospects of economic success.
Term
12 Months
Application deadlines
Continuous
Who can receive funding?
Students, graduates and researchers from universities and non-university research institutions
How is funding provided?
Grant covering personal living expenses, material and coaching resources.
Further information
Federal programme: EXIST Research Transfer
EXIST Research Transfer is a funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It supports outstanding research-based start-up projects that involve elaborate and high-risk development work.
Term
from 18 months
Application deadlines
Twice yearly (spring and autumn)
Who can receive funding?
Research teams at universities and non-university research institutions
How is funding provided?
Personnel and material expenses.
Regional funding programmes
The Starthaus Bremen/Bremerhaven offers advisory support, various coaching programmes and also financing options.
As regards coaching programmes, the Starthaus offers, among other things, the Starthaus Coaching Programme.
It provides support for the comprehensive qualification of the participants as well as the development of a viable business concept, the founding of the company including the start of operations and the processing of the first customer orders.
Further information
Validation Funding (VIP+)
Validation support (VIP+ for short) is a program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which aims to shorten the path from research to market. Research results are reviewed, new areas of application are developed, the market is analyzed, prototypes or pilot applications are generated, intellectual property rights are secured, market analyses are prepared and an exploitation plan is drawn up.
Duration: max. 3 years
Application deadlines: continuous
Who is funded? Research teams at universities and non-university research institutions
How is funding provided? Personnel and material expenses
Further information
Innovation program for business models and pioneering solutions (IGP)
The Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneer Solutions (IGP) is a program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with a focus on non-technical innovations close to the market, focused on the novelty of the problem solution. The funding is open to all sectors. Previous funding lines have been on "digital and data-driven innovations," "cultural and creative economy innovations," and "innovations in education and information access with high social impact."
Duration: 12, 24 or 9+18 months, depending on the project form
Application deadlines: always in the respective funding call for different topics
<strongWho is eligible for funding? Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, freelancers, craftsmen, other self-employed persons and universities in the network<br /> How is funding provided? Personnel and material expenses, depending on the type of grantee between 45 and 100%
Further information
Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM)
The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) is a program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy that is open to all sectors. Medium-sized companies together with research institutions that cooperate with them receive grants for ambitious research and development projects that lead to new products, technical services or better production processes.
Duration: 1 to 4 years
Application deadlines: continuous
Who is eligible for funding?SMEs, also in cooperation with universities
How is funding provided?Personnel and material expenses, depending on the type of grantee between 25 and 100%
Further information
