INVEST Subsidy for Risk Capital

• Innovative companies employing less than 50 people, younger than seven years, with an annual turnover/balance sheet of max. €10 million.
• Companies that are GmbH or UG (limited liability), belong to an innovative sector, are holders of a patent up to 15 years old or have received public R&D funding in the last two years or can prove through a BMWi short assessment that they are innovative, and start their business activity at the latest one year after the completion of the investment.
• Private investors (business angels) investing in young, small and innovative companies.

Provision of risk capital from private investors by acquisition of shareholder shares and provision of know-how. The share acquisition is done by cash contribution or conversion of a convertible loan.

With the funding guideline in effect since 6.3.2024, adjustments to the funding program are being made.

• 15% acquisition subsidy for direct share acquisition (previously 25%) and for convertible loans (previously 10%)
• Introduction of an INVEST budget of €100,000 in acquisition subsidies per investor (i.e. no further INVEST funding if €100,000 in acquisition subsidies have been paid out or approved)
• €10,000 minimum investment sum (previously €25,000)
• €200,000 maximum eligible investment sum per investment per natural person
• only first investments are eligible for funding
• Limitation of the exit subsidy to 25% (previously 80%) of the investment sum
• Expansion of the permissible legal forms for eligible companies to registered cooperatives (eG) and limited partnerships (KG).