1. Module 1: Employment Agency or Job Centre
2. Module 2: Microloans up to 50,000 euros
3. Module 3: KfW StartGeld up to 200,000 euros
4. Larger projects up to 25 million euros
5. Combining funding programmes
6. About X-Group

You Want to Start a Business – But Lack the Capital?
Whether it’s a retail shop, restaurant, online store or warehouse: without the right start-up capital, even the best idea cannot get off the ground. The good news: there are a whole range of government funding programmes – and most founders are not even aware of what they are entitled to.

Building block 1: Employment Agency or Job Centre – Grants for your first step

If you are registered with the Employment Agency or Job Centre, you already have a significant advantage. Both institutions offer specific funding instruments for aspiring self-employed individuals. If you are registered with the Employment Agency, you can apply for the so-called Gründungszuschuss (start-up grant) – typically around 10,000 euros. This money is not a loan, but a genuine grant for your personal living expenses and social security contributions in the initial phase. If, on the other hand, you receive Bürgergeld via the Job Centre, other instruments are available to you: the Einstiegsgeld as well as support for the integration of self-employed persons – both are grants that can be used directly for your business investments. In addition, both groups receive an AVGS (activation and placement voucher) – a consultation voucher that allows you to fully finance professional start-up advice.

Building block 2: Microloans – fast financing up to €50,000

For capital requirements of up to around 25,000 euros, traditional commercial banks are often not a good option. The amounts are too small for them, and the administrative effort is too high. This is where the microcredit programmes of the regional development banks come into play – available in every federal state. The major advantage: you do not need collateral, and the financing is split – 50% is covered by your federal state, the other 50% comes from the EU. This is a particularly attractive model, open to both new founders and existing small businesses. Depending on the programme, up to 50,000 euros may be possible.

Building block 3: KfW StartGeld – up to €200,000 per founder

The best-known and most widely used programme is the KfW Gründerkredit StartGeld. Here, as an individual applicant, you can receive up to 200,000 euros. If you are founding together – for example as a GbR or UG – this amount can increase accordingly. The programme is ideally suited to finance investments, working capital and market entry costs.

Larger projects: Up to €25 million

If you are thinking bigger, larger funds are also available. There are funding programmes that support founders and young businesses with up to €25 million for growth financing.

Combining funding programmes

It is often sensible to combine several programmes to maximise your benefits. And the best part: the necessary consultation for this can also be funded. Through BAFA, consultancy costs for planning, financial analyses and feasibility studies can be subsidised by up to 50–100%. If you are registered with the Employment Agency, you can even access pre-start-up coaching, where 100% of the consultancy costs are covered – including the preparation of all documentation.

Mental resilience in everyday start-up life

You know the feeling: finances are tight, a client drops out, or a decision goes wrong. As a founder, you will regularly encounter such situations. What matters is not whether crises occur, but how you deal with them. Your brain is constantly assessing situations. It is not the stimulus itself that determines your feelings, but your interpretation of it. This is where your leverage lies. Instead of reacting instinctively, you can learn to consciously manage your assessment. This creates mental flexibility – one of the most important skills in entrepreneurship. https://youtu.be/XV1xkVyP_Ws