€200,000 start-up capital for your business: how to secure funding

By Daniel Schäfer, Business Consultant & Founder at X-Group

In short: Many founders, when starting out in self-employment, first think of the dream of their own success – but the reality is initially forms, business plans and applications. However, those who know the right funding options can secure up to €200,000 in start-up capital – and even have up to 100% of the advisory costs funded. This article shows how both are possible.

Contents of this article

1. The reality of self-employment: Forms instead of Ferraris
2. Secure up to 100% funding for advisory costs
3. The €200,000 start-up capital: Who can apply
4. Which documents you need for the application
5. The funding advantages: Guarantee, grant & more
6. Conclusion: Your next steps

1. The reality of self-employment: Forms instead of Ferraris

Many founders initially think: “I’ll become self-employed, and then I’ll buy myself a Porsche or Ferrari.” The reality is quite different. In Germany, the saying “From the cradle to the grave – forms, forms, forms” exists for a reason. Even before you start your business, you must complete and submit the first forms before you are even allowed to begin. And afterwards, it usually takes quite some time before you are covering your costs and can actually make a living from your business.

This is exactly what X-Group has specialised in since 2002: helping people start their self-employment journey safely and with peace of mind. With over 40 companies founded or co-founded and more than 4,000 founders supported by the team, this is the experience behind every funding consultation.

“From the cradle to the grave: forms, forms, forms. And it is exactly the same in your self-employment.”

2. Secure up to 100% funding for consultancy costs

Because X-Group has been established in the market for over 20 years and is certified and approved by many funding institutions, it is possible not only to apply for grants for your own living expenses or subsidised funding for your business – the consultancy costs themselves can be funded by 50 to 100%.

Whether you want to start your business through the employment agency or job centre and secure grants, need a business plan or financial plan for this, or require investment funds of up to €200,000 or more: the consultancy supporting you can itself be eligible for funding.

Important: These funding pots are currently available – but not guaranteed to remain so. Those who act now secure the current conditions.

3. The €200,000 start-up capital: Who can apply

A particularly popular funding programme enables founders to access up to €200,000 in start-up capital – regardless of whether you want to operate in trade, services, or manufacturing. Eligible applicants include:

• Full-time founders
• Young entrepreneurswho have been in the market for no more than five years
• Employees starting a side businesswho wish to build up a company alongside their employment

Anyone currently employed who registers a side business can also apply for this capital to gradually build up their own company – until it covers their living expenses. The business plan and financial plan should set out the intention to create a full-time position for themselves within the next five years using the start-up capital.

4. Which documents you need for the application

The biggest challenge for new founders: there is no entrepreneurial track record – no annual financial statements, no income-surplus statement, no balance sheets. Therefore, a particularly convincing and plausible Financial Plan, supported by the written section of a business plan, with appendices that are 100% complete and correct, is required.

If these documents are complete, accurate and plausible, the funding provider for the €200,000 can even go up to 80% in a free guarantee.

5. The funding advantages: Guarantee, grant & more

The preparation of the necessary documents – financial plan, business plan and appendices – can also be funded:

• With a AVGS voucher it is possible to obtain 100% funding for the consulting service.
• If you are not entitled to an AVGS because you do not currently have an ALG I or ALG II notice, another funding programme can still provide a 50 to 80% grant possible.

This means: If you receive conceptual support to meet the requirements for the €200,000 start-up capital, you can have 50 to 80% of the associated consulting costs reimbursed – paid directly into your own account.

6. Conclusion: Your next steps

Whether €200,000 in start-up capital for your business or up to 100% funding for the consultancy that gets you there: Both programmes can be combined, provided your financial plan and business plan are complete, plausible and correct from the outset. X-Group is certified nationwide and supports you regardless of where you live in Germany.

Ready to secure your start-up capital? Book your free initial consultation now – together, we will check which funding options are available for your start-up and how to apply for them in the correct order: x-group.de/#kalender