EXIST is a funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).

The EXIST Start-Up Grant supports the development of innovative, technology-oriented, and knowledge-based business start-ups by students, graduates, and researchers. Funded start-ups receive grants to cover personal living expenses, material costs, and coaching. The maximum funding period is one year.

TheEXIST Transfer of Research program supports outstanding, research-based start-up projects that involve complex and high-risk development work. It can fund personnel costs for up to four positions, as well as material expenses such as equipment, consumables, intellectual property rights, market research, contract work, and coaching. The funding period typically ranges from 18 to 36 months.

The Lower Saxony Start-Up Grant is for start-ups with innovative, digital or knowledge-based business ideas in Lower Saxony. Applications are submitted through an "accompanying organisation" and sent to the NBank in Hanover.

Funding offer: Grant of up to €2000 per month for up to 8 months for individuals or teams of up to 3 people.

Participation requirements:

• Residence and (planned) business location in Lower Saxony
• Support of the start-up during the funding period by an "accompanying organisation"
• The start-up has not yet been established at the time of application

Further information: https://www.nbank.de

Grant funding for start-up projects that are located within the city limits of Oldenburg. Applications are submitted through the City of Oldenburg, Office for Economic Development.

Funding offer:

• Consultancy costs: Grant of 90 % of the net costs, up to €500
• Investment project: Grant of 50 % of the net costs, up to €2,500

Eligibility requirements: Funding is available for start-ups that appear to be particularly innovative and sustainable for Oldenburg as a business location. Proposals can be submitted before and up to one year after the start-up. The date of registration of the commercial or freelance activity is deemed to be the date of foundation.

Further information: https://www.oldenburg.de

With the "ERP Capital for Start-ups" funding program, the BMWK offers start-ups and young companies equity-like funds from the ERP Special Fund in the form of long-term subordinated loans for up to three years after the start of their business.

With the ERP Start-up Loan, the BMWK supports commercial and freelance start-ups, as well as young companies, with low-interest loans from the ERP Special Fund for  three or five years after the start of their business.

The ERP Start-up Loan consists of the two program components "ERP Start-upLoan - Start-up Money" and "ERP Start-up Loan - Universal". "ERP Start-up Loan - StartGeld" promotes small-volume business start-ups with external financing requirements totalling a maximum of EUR 100,000. The "ERP Start-up Loan - Universal" with a maximum loan amount of EUR 25 million is aimed at larger start-up projects.

The aim of the "INVEST - Venture Capita Grant" is to improve the financing conditions for young, innovative companies and start-ups. Private investors - in particular business angels - are to be incentivised to provide such companies with private venture capital.

Insufficient equity capital is often an obstacle for very small businesses and company founders seeking access to loan financing. The “Mikromezzaninfonds-Deutschland” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) helps to overcome this barrier. The program supports all investments related to the establishment of a new company or the continuation of an existing one that require long-term financing.

Further information is available on the German Micromezzanine Fund website.

NBank is the promotional bank for the state of Lower Saxony. It serves as the central point of contact for all relevant funding programs of the European Union, the federal government, the state, and local municipalities. Its responsibilities include economic development, labour market support, housing promotion, and infrastructure funding. NBank provides grants, loans, and subsidies to SMEs, founders, and the self-employed. Clients receive comprehensive, tailored advice and support.

KfW is the world's largest national promotional bank. It promotes German SMEs and start-ups with traditional promotional loans, innovative financing, and grants for start-up coaching.

Business Angels Weser-Ems-Bremen brings young, fast-growing companies together with investors from the region. The network gives founders the opportunity to find economically independent private investors and mentors who provide both money and expertise. In this way, a business angel opens doors to important markets and provides the start-up with practical advice and in-depth knowledge.

The High-Tech Gründerfonds (Founder Fund) established in 2005, is an instrument that provides venture capital to newly founded German technology companies, helping to close the financing gap that exists in this early-stage segment.