Government Funding for Berlin-based Startups who are ready to invest in Design💰

Hello Berlin Startup Community!

As many of you know, we love collaborating with startups and it’s always exciting to see motivated teams working on the next big thing. However, we know from experience that working in a startup is not always easy and it comes with all kinds of ups and downs. Aside from the emotional rollercoaster one of the biggest issues is financing and it’s hard to get your new idea off the ground or start the next crucial phase of product development without a financial nudge.

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Do you know exactly what we’re talking about? Have you got your pitch approved and all you need is a bit of funding to create your first prototype? Have you already completed the first steps with your startup and are ready to take the next big leap? Like investing in top-notch design? Or a bigger feature update for your app?

Investing in Design starts here…

Look no further, we found something just for you: The Design Transfer Bonus. It is a funding program that supports the transfer of know-how between small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who are developing tech-driven products/services and established design firms and academia. As an SME you can receive funding for external design services that fit your specific case, be it design work, consulting, project management or whatever you are in need of most. You can get up to 70% of the costs covered up to an amount of 15.000 Euros, which is quite a nice little head start…

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So, what is the catch? Obviously, there is your usual amount of German bureaucracy involved, but hey it’s nothing you can’t handle. Here an overview of the main criteria that need to be fulfilled:

• SMEs (small medium enterprises) that operate out of Berlin
• Commercial enterprises with predominantly nationwide sales channels who carry out eligible activities according to the current regulations of the joint task “Improvement of the regional economic structure” (eg machinery, technical equipment / office machinery, data processing equipment and devices / electrical engineering products, electronics, radio, television and telecommunications / molds, models, tools / data processing equipment / information and communication services)
• The funded services must be provided by independent companies in the design industry or by universities with proven design competence based in Berlin or Brandenburg.
• These design services must be related to applied research and development
  For detailed information on which design activities can be supported with the funding see the Compensation Agreement Design of the Alliance of German Designers (AGD).
• The project must be technically feasible
• Financing of the overall project must be secured
• Use of total financial aid may not exceed EUR 200,000 over a three-year period

If you think you’re a good fit you can find more detailed information on the Design Transfer Bonus as well as the forms that need to be filled out here.

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Are you still a bit stuck and want to talk about your idea first? As some of you might know we offer Product Hours, a format where we offer a free coaching session for interested startups on a variety of topics covering UX, design and business. We’d be happy to combine a Product Hour session with ideas on what you could apply for within the Design Transfer Bonus. We have worked with some of the coolest startups in Berlin including Mimi, Zenjob, Careship and Mitte and can’t wait to work with you too!

To sign up for a Product Hours Session you can apply here:

Berlin Startups listen up - Introducing Product Hours

Originally published at Goodpatch Blog.