The KfW StartGeld explained step by step

Good times for founders – it has never been easier to implement viable business ideas than it is today. For many startups, financing during the first years after founding or taking over a company is the biggest hurdle. Offers such as the KfW-Bank StartGeld are specifically tailored to this problem and open up entirely new opportunities for ambitious startup entrepreneurs. We explain everything you need to know about this straightforward start-up loan.

Attractive start-up loan from KfW-Bank

The StartGeld funding programme enables founders, freelancers, and small businesses to access low-interest financing for external funding volumes of up to €125,000.

What is funded and what is the amount of funding?

The purpose of the KfW StartGeld start-up loan programme is to provide founders and existing businesses with easily accessible loans to finance investments and working capital. You can apply for a maximum loan amount of €125,000.

Where does the grant come from?

The European Union, headquartered in Brussels, provides a funding programme for the European start-up landscape as part of the Strategic Innovation Fund (EFSI). The COSME initiative (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) aims to promote innovative ideas and make small businesses more competitive.

Through KfW Bank, you can apply for EU funding in the form of a favourable StartGeld Start-up Loan for your business. Up to €125,000 in start-up capital is available to each applicant. The start-up grant is linked to the individual and can be applied for by all managing directors holding more than 10% of the company in a partnership. Entrepreneurs can apply up to 5 years after founding.

The start-up loan can be applied for the following purposes:

Investments

• Acquisition of equipment
• Machinery
• Computers
• Land and buildings
• Construction costs
• Furnishings
• Company vehicles
• Business and office equipment
• Intangible investments (licences and patents)
• Software

Working capital (funds to ensure ongoing operations)

• Liquid assets
• Material and inventory stock
• Personnel costs
• Rent
• Expenditure for marketing activities
• Trade fair participation
• Consultancy costs
• Purchase of a business or business shares, if you take on a managing director role

Looking to finance larger projects? Or buy a business? More information on: ERP Start-up Loan Universal Up to €25 million for investments & operating costs

What are the requirements for applying for the KfW start-up loan?

In principle, all business founders, freelancers, business successors, and young companies can apply for the KfW StartGeld start-up loan This applies especially if you are founding a business, wish to consolidate a young business (up to 5 years after starting operations), are participating as a managing director in a company, are taking over a business as part of a succession, or wish to run a business as your main occupation or initially as a side business.

This funding product is not available for:

• Medium-sized and large companies
• Companies that started operations more than 5 years ago (other funding programmes are available for these)
• Businesses in need of restructuring and companies in difficulty
• Companies engaged in primary agricultural production or fisheries
• Companies whose activities do not comply with the COSME guarantee requirements

What is not funded?

The KfW StartGeld start-up loan programme cannot be applied for all types of investments and working capital.

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Facilities for the use of renewable energies (these are funded under renewable energy products)
• Construction measures for ‘assisted living’
• So-called self-dealing transactions, such as the acquisition of your own company shares
• Trust structures and silent partnerships by third parties
• Debt restructuring, follow-up financing, refinancing, and extensions

Create a capital requirements plan for total capital

• The expenses for a new business are generally divided into two categories: a large part of the capital requirement consists of working capital – this includes ongoing costs such as rent, personnel costs, market entry costs, etc. The second category is investments, i.e. the use of capital for specific purposes such as advertising and production, which involves risk.

  What you should bear in mind
  KfW has set the maximum amount for working capital at €50,000. The loan is issued via your main bank, which assumes 20% of the risk. The remaining 80% is covered by a guarantee from KfW. Founders starting from unemployment or directly from university often find it difficult to convince the bank of the security of their investment. As the main bank only guarantees 20%, founders have a significantly easier time asserting their interests with banks and investors.

Who can apply for start-up funding from KfW?

In principle, any small or medium-sized business in the start-up phase can apply for funding. The process is most straightforward for sole traders. If the applicant is part of a GmbH (limited company), they must hold at least 10% of the company shares. If there are 10 or more managing directors, they can jointly apply for up to €1,250,000 in funding. The loan is also suitable for founders running their business as a side activity alongside regular employment. Instead of taking on full risk and quitting your current job, the business can also be run part-time. Thanks to growth support, the funding is also practical for transitional phases of business models – for example, when moving from a side business to a main occupation. The ‘KfW StartGeld’ loan is also suitable for those planning to join a GmbH as a managing director.

KfW start-up loan approved – what next?

The start-up loan can be used in various ways depending on the structure and development stage of the business. The most common uses are listed below:

1. New business formation
When founding a business, the start-up capital from KfW Bank  helps cover ongoing costs during the set-up phase, covers industry-specific market entry costs, and secures production and operations during the first months of business. This allows you to purchase goods and hire employees.

2. Business acquisition
If you wish to purchase and take over an existing business, you will usually require larger investments, which can be secured through the loan.

3. Growth financing
The start-up grant is not only available to entrepreneurs who have recently founded their business – discounted funding can be applied for up to 5 years after starting self-employment. This allows you to first gain market experience before preparing the business plan for the start-up grant.

4. Strong in partnership
If several partners jointly run a GmbH, each managing director can apply for a StartGeld loan of €125,000 each. This also increases the maximum available for working capital.

Which bank is the right partner?

A disadvantage of the fund being limited to €125,000 per founder is its low attractiveness for large commercial banks. The relatively small amount for commercial banks tends to promise low returns. There are better chances of approval with your main bank. Regional banks such as Volksbanken, Sparkassen, and DLS banks are generally very open to this type of loan negotiation.

The most important step: Start-up loan application

Although the bank may wish to see a business plan for the start-up grant, the main focus during preparation should be on creating a suitable loan application. The loan application can be submitted to your main bank. Your personal contact at the bank will forward the application to the relevant internal department. If the application is approved there, KfW will carry out a final review and arrange the corresponding payments.

How do I create a suitable loan application?
The loan application is your ticket to a smooth start-up experience. The bank and all other reviewers usually have only this one opportunity to get an overview of your business model and decide on the allocation of funds. We support you in preparing a convincing loan application and help you overcome all hurdles up to successful approval. Professional support for financial planning can also be made possible with your own funding – with a convincing idea, even the smallest resources can be used to build a solid medium-sized business.

How do I get started? The next step

Various documents and a financing partner are required for correct application submission. To ensure that all necessary steps are carried out correctly from the outset and that no formal errors jeopardise your application, X-Group Institute is happy to support you throughout the entire process.

We look forward to supporting you with your application. You are welcome to contact us by telephone at 030 683 28 26 00 and arrange a free initial consultation with us immediately.

Take advantage of our exclusive consultation voucher for a non-binding introduction – in the first meeting, we will inform you about all funding and financing options for your business model. We tailor our service individually to your requirements and goals – so you receive exactly the support you need for a successful start to self-employment.

Secure your voucher now and arrange a free strategy meeting with one of our start-up experts: