Bavarian Ministry of
Economic Affairs,
Regional Development
and Energy

Bayerisches
Staatsministerium fürWirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie

Bavaria.
Funding and financing options
for investors.

Putting up the maypole is one of the most beloved traditions in all of Bavaria.
Every 1 May in their central squares, many towns erect a maypole – often painted in whiteand blue – which is decorated with signs and shields. According to the old tradition, thestrongest men in the town often erect the maypoles by hand without any machinery. The
erection of the maypole is the central event of the surrounding festival, where guests andlocals come together to enjoy the lovely atmosphere with music, food and drinks.

4

Foreword

Foreword

Dear Readers,Bavaria enjoys an outstanding reputation as
an economic centre and appeals to companies
from all over the world. The state owes its
success in particular to the highly qualified
specialists, the countless business-friendly
scientific and research institutions and its
effective and efficient infrastructure. The Free
State of Bavaria bolsters these framework
conditions through public funding, which bothestablished companies as well as entrepreneurs can benefit from.
The coronavirus crisis presents a new set ofparticular challenges for business owners; noone can yet foresee the long-term effects ofthe pandemic. In light of this, it is more important than ever for the state and the economy
work together to address these challenges. In
the recent past, Bavaria has advocated morethan ever for the companies and investors
who call the state their home and, today, state
support is at its all-time highest level.
Invest in Bavaria gives companies and investors this brochure to provide them withan overview of which funding programmes

Bavaria offers and which types of funding areavailable for their specific undertaking.
On behalf of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development andEnergy, Invest in Bavaria supports companies
in relocating or expanding to Bavaria. Fromarranging contact with relevant networks andinstitutions and support in looking for suitablecommercial space, through to consulting on
all questions regarding financing, funding andthe market and business environment – theinternational team of Invest in Bavaria will beby your side from the very beginning of yourundertaking.
Take advantage of Invest in Bavaria’s free,
confidential and individual service. Get in touchwith the team to learn more about the possibilities for state support and your opportunities
in Bavaria.

Hubert Aiwanger
Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs,
Regional Development and Energy

Roland Weigert
Vice Minister in the Bavarian
Ministry of Economic Affairs,
Regional Development and Energy

56First point of contact

Invest in Bavaria
Invest in Bavaria is the business promotion agency of the Free State of Bavaria. Since
1999, Invest in Bavaria has supported domestic and foreign companies in establishingor expanding a location in Bavaria. Invest in Bavaria compiles tailored information,
helps find the ideal location in Bavaria and arranges the necessary contacts for project realisation – with the authorities and associations as well as important local networks. The services provided by Invest in Bavaria are free of charge, and all enquiries
are of course treated as confidential.
• www.invest-in-bavaria.com/en
Bavarian Research and Innovation Agency
The task of the Bavarian Research and Innovation Agency is, in particular, to provide
integrated funding consulting and a comprehensive service offering with regard tofurther EU consulting and application processes in Bavaria.
The Bavarian Research and Innovation Agency has locations in Nuremberg andMunich. The partnership under this umbrella is made up of Bayern Innovativ GmbH,
Bavarian Research Alliance, Bavarian Research Foundation, Projektträger Bayern(Bavarian project sponsor) and Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH.
• www.forschung-innovation-bayern.de/enContent

7

How do I access funding?

8

Do you want to start a company?

12

Programmes and institutions of particular interest for business start-ups

14

Do you want to access new markets?

18

Market access in Bavaria and Germany
Access to international markets
Representative offices abroad

20
21
24

Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location?

26

Bavarian state funding programme for trade and industry
Funding programme for the tourism sector
Funding areas of the Bavarian state funding programme

28
30
33

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 34
Principles of innovation funding
Open-topic programmes
Topic-specific programmes

36
37
42

Are you interested in topics related to financing?

50

LfA Förderbank Bayern
Bayern Kapital GmbH
Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH

52
52
52

8

Introduction

Introduction

How do I accessfunding?

9

10

How do I access funding?

How do I access funding?

Who can receive funding?
Applicants must be companies with their headquarters or a branch office in Bavaria. The undertaking must be carried out primarily in the Free State of Bavaria (exception: trade fair participation
programmes of Bayern Innovativ GmbH and programmes for accessing international markets).

What needs to be considered before submitting an application?
Submit an application for funding before your project begins. Grants are only approved for undertakings which have not begun at the time the application is received by the respective project management organisation (e.g. no orders may have been issued to suppliers).

What information do the project management organisations need?
A project outline containing the most important information on the project – such as the implementation period, investment volume, the financing plan and a brief presentation of the subject
matter – is needed for the initial assessment of your undertaking’s eligibility for funding.

How does the funding work?
The funding offers range from nonrepayable grants and subsidised loans through to the assumption of guarantees. However, public funding is a way to help you help yourself – that is, only a portion of the financing for the undertaking can stem from this type of funding.

What role does the size of my company play?
For many programmes, the size of the company (see ‘SME definition’; ‘SME’ stands for ‘small
and medium-sized enterprise’) is authoritative in determining its eligibility for funding and/or thelevel of funding. Classification is made according to the EU Commission’s definition of an SME
under consideration of the type of company (independent companies, affiliated companies, joint
ventures).

Who can I contact?
Various project management organisations are tasked with the assessment of funding projects.
The corresponding points of contact are listed for all of the programmes mentioned here.

Independent companies are those which do not hold shares in 25% or more of the capital or voting
rights of another company, or in which no shares of 25% or more are held (exceptions can be madeif the threshold is exceeded by shareholders such as state-owned holding companies or non-profit
universities and research institutions etc.).

SME definition		

Staff headcount

Annual turnover (in EUR) or Balance sheet total (in EUR)

Micro

<10

≤2 million≤2 million

Small

<50

≤10 million≤10 million

Medium-sized<250≤50 million≤43 million

Large

≥ 250

>50 million>43 million•	The respective organisation responsible for the project can provide you with more information
regarding your SME status.

11

Which sources are available outside of the Bavarian funding programmes?
This funding guide presents funding programmes in Bavaria. Beyond that, there are German and
EU programmes that are often taken into account and carried out by Bavarian project management
organisations. You can find more information on these programmes here:•	
Funding programmes and financial aid of the German federal government,
the German states and the EU, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs
and Energy:
www.foerderdatenbank.de• Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR):www.bayfor.org/en
Note
We would like to point out that this brochure only provides an initial overview and that only therespective applicable guidelines apply. Due to a revision of an EU directive which serves as the basis
for many programmes in the field of research and development undertakings, it is possible thatsome programmes have been altered in terms of content and renamed. You can find corresponding
information on the websites of the project management organisations.

12

Funding programmes

Do you want to starta business?

Funding programmes

13

14

Do you want to start a company?

Do you want to start a company?

15

Programmes and institutions of particular interestfor business start-ups
FLÜGGE

Wachstumsfonds Bayern

What can receive funding?	Funding is available before and at the beginning of an innovative business start-up, in

What can receive funding?	The Wachstumsfonds Bayern growth fund supports technology companies that haveparticular the development of marketable innovative products and business models, as

successfully concluded their seed and initial start-up phases with equity capital towell as preparing the start-up for foundation. Concrete approaches are:finance investments and operations as part of an innovation undertaking. Financing

Protection of an innovative – also digital – business model which ends with a•	covers, for example, the (further) development of new products, processes and tech-sustainable start-up		nical services for the preparation of the product and service portfolio, including the•	Undertakings that were not carried out to conclusion as part of the EXIST Businessmarket introduction or expansion, sales and the implementation of internationalisation

Start-up Grant programme due to particular technological challenges
		

the EXIST Business Start-up Grant programme
How does the funding• Scholarship for aspiring entrepreneurs: EUR 2,500 per month plus EUR 150 per

work?				

strategies.

•	Technologically innovative and risky undertakings that were not funded as part ofdependent child•	Assumption of material university expenses up to 50 % of the scholarships issued

How does the funding

An investment by Wachstumsfonds is only possible if independent private investors

work?

have a participating interest in the company at the same conditions and in the same		

amount. The investment is made in the form of an open and/or typical silent part-		

nership. The amount of the investment by Wachstumsfonds is between EUR 2 million		and 8 million per participating shareholder.

Additional informationB ayern Kapital GmbH • About Bayern Kapital • Wachstumsfonds

for the respective undertaking
Additional information

Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding

Bayern• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmeswww.bayernkapital.de

www.bayern-innovativ.de

Digitalbonus

Start? Grant!
Who can receive funding?

New technology-oriented business start-ups working in the field of digitisation canreceive funding. The company must have an especially sustainable and innovative
business model and must have been founded no more than two years ago.

What can receive funding?

In particular, funding can be used to cover expenses related to rent and staffing, market
launch of a product and research and development.

How does the funding

Over a period of one year, a maximum of 50 % of eligible expenses can be covered,work?

capped at EUR 36,000.

Additional information

Gründerland Bayern • Finance and funding • Start?Grant!

		

www.gruenderland.bayern/en

You can find information regarding financing on page 39.

16

Do you want to start a company?

Do you want to start a company?

17

	Bavarian state funding programme for trade and industry (BRF)/Joint Federal–Länder Task
‘Improving regional economic structures’ (GRW)ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Bavaria

How does the funding

The maximum funding amount in subsidy eligibility area C can only be fully utilised if

Who can receive funding?	Companies with innovative products and digital core competencies whose founding is

work?

special structural effects exist, for example for investments in connection with business		

start-ups.

Additional information

Cf. page 28

imminent or whose founding occurred within the last three years at most.
What can receive funding?

Innovation and incubation in the field of commercial-use technologies or infrastructure
for space flight at the locations of Oberpfaffenhofen, Ottobrunn and Nuremberg.

How does the funding

Financial support (EUR 50,000 grant and loans of up to EUR 50,000) as well as techni-

work?

cal support, office space and consulting.

Additional informationE SA Business Incubation Centre Bavaria

BayStartUP
How does the funding

BayStartUP is the Bavarian network for start-ups, investors and industry. As the central

work?

institution for start-up financing in Bavaria, BayStartUP supports innovative entrepre-		neurs in establishing their company and finding capital.

		The service offering includes:www.esa-bic.de• Business plan competitions with prizes exceeding EUR 85,000• Workshops for start-ups

LfA• Financing coaching to comprehensively prepare start-ups for the next roundof financing

You can find information regarding financing on page 52.

• An active network of investors with contacts to more than 300 business angels
and some 100 venture capital investors

Special feature

Low-interest financing for companies in the start-up phase• Partnerships between start-ups and companies from the industry• Start-up fairs and events (start-up demo nights, pitch opportunities, investor
conferences)

Bayern Kapital
Additional information	BayStartUP • Start-ups • Taking off with your company
www.baystartup.de/en

You can find information regarding financing on page 52.
Special feature

Bavarian Programme for Funding Technology-Oriented Start-Ups (BayTOU)
You can find information regarding financing on page 37.

Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
You can find information regarding financing on page 52.
Special feature

Innovation vouchers
You can find information regarding financing on page 40.

Equity capital for companies already in the seed phase

Equity capital for business start-ups

18

Funding programmes

Funding programmes

Do you want to accessnew markets?

19

20

Do you want to access new markets?

Do you want to access new markets?

Market acces in Bavaria and Germany

21

Access to international marketsTrade fair participation programmes of Bayern Innovativ GmbH

Delegation trips

Who can receive funding?

SMEs headquartered in Bavaria.

What can receive funding?

The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy

The interests and the goals of the participating companies are the focus of these trips,

organises the trade fair and shares costs. The programme primarily centres on trade

which allow companies to make new contacts and to establish a network with ambas-

fairs in Germany.

sadors, associations, Chambers of Commerce and companies.

What can receive funding?	Each year, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
offers delegation trips for Bavarian companies – with and without a political escort.

Additional information	Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Events and trade fairs		

www.bayern-innovativ.deT he Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy assumes
the general costs for the trip; you only have to pay for your personal travel (flight, hotel,visa). Bayern International puts together an attractive economic programme and handles
the travel logistics.

Additional informationB ayern International GmbH • Delegation and entrepreneur trips
www.bayern-international.de

Entrepreneur trips
What can receive funding?	With the entrepreneur trips of Bayern International, you can gain insights into
promising foreign markets. In collaboration with partners in the target market suchas embassies and chambers of commerce, the entrepreneur trips provide you with theopportunity to make contacts with potential business partners.
The programme agenda includes visits to local companies, associations, ministries,
organisations or a specialist exhibition, which will allow you to get to know the framework conditions of your target country better. Additionally, partnership exchanges
tailored specifically to your requirements help you make new contacts.
Additional information	Bayern International GmbH • Delegation and entrepreneur trips
www.bayern-international.de22

Do you want to access new markets?

Do you want to access new markets?

23

Trade fair participation programmes of Bayern International GmbH

Bayern – Fit for Partnership

What can receive funding?	Bavarian SMEs can present themselves at international trade fairs under the umbrella

What can receive funding?	This programme supports the marketing and sales activities of your company. Interna-of the joint Bavarian stand. Bayern International takes care of organising the trade fairtional experts and managers from the business world and administration are invited tofor you. Specifically, this includes:

Bavaria to undergo practical and industry-specific training where they can get to know		• Organisation of the entire trade fairyour company as well as your products and solutions. Tailored to the requirements of		• Handover of a ready-to-use trade fair stand on-site

the Bavarian economy, the individual topics are worked out by Bayern International		• Uniform stand design

together with expert partners in Germany and abroad, as well as Bavarian companies.

		• Lounge with communication area and top location‘Bayern – Fit for Partnership’ is an international training programme aimed at the		• Market and industry information and briefing on-site

promotion of the export sector and is financed by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic

		• Tips on hotels, flights and delivery services

Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

		• Expert on-site assistance and interpreter service		• Initiation of business contacts to potential customers

		Additionally, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development andAdditional information	Bayern International GmbH • Delegation visitswww.bayern-international.deEnergy provides financial support for your participation in the trade fair.
Additional information	Bayern International GmbH • Participation in trade fairs
www.bayern-international.de

Activities in development policy
What can receive funding?

The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy promotes
the technology-related professional development of specialists and managers fromdeveloping and emerging countries. Some 20 seminars are organised for this target

Export Bavaria 3.0 – Go Internationalgroup each year. Participation in the seminars is voluntary for Bavarian companies. They
allow participants to tour their companies, explain their production processes, present

Who can receive funding?

SMEs headquartered in Bavaria.

their products and services and offer practical training placements. The companies, inturn, develop relationships with specialists and managers from these countries.

What can receive funding?	This project of the Bavarian Chambers of Commerce (IHK) and Chambers of Crafts
provides funds for the internationalisation strategies of SMEs. Companies that want to

Additional informationB avarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development

take advantage of their opportunities in markets abroad can receive financing from theand Energy • Internationalisation • Development policy

State of Bavaria and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European• Activities of the ministry

Union.

www.stmwi.bayern.de

How does the fundingYour measures aimed at accessing one or two new target markets can be fundedwork?

through a grant of up to 50 % of the costs, but at a maximum of EUR 20,000 per		

company and per target market.

Additional information	Bavarian Foreign Trade Portal • Funding • Go International
www.go-international.de24

Do you want to access new markets?

Do you want to access new markets?

Representative offices abroad
What can receive funding?	Contacts around the world: since the mid 1990s, the Free State of Bavaria has been
establishing a global network of more than 25 representative offices abroad. These
offices are available to support Bavarian companies as a local German-speaking point ofcontact: they advise, inform and make contacts, thereby supporting them in accessing
new export markets and in setting up or expanding sales structures abroad.
Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
www.bavariaworldwide.de

Moscow
Warsaw
PragueKiev
Budapest
ViennaBucharest
ZurichSofia
ZagrebIstanbul

Montreal
San Francisco

New York

Tokyo
Qingdao

Tel Aviv
Abu Dhabi

Mexico City

Bangalore

Bogotá

Lima

São Paulo
Santiago de Chile

Buenos Aires

Johannesburg

Shenzhen
Ho Chi Minh City

25

26

Funding programmes

Are you planning a new locationor an expansion of an existing
location?

Funding programmes

2728 Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location?

Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location? 29

	Bavarian state funding programme for trade and industry (BRF) / Joint Federal–Länder Task
‘Improving regional economic structures’ (GRW)ERDF special programme for energy efficiency and renewable energies in companies

What can receive funding?	Investments in assets of property, plant and equipment, such as machines andWho can receive funding?	SMEs headquartered in Bavaria.

buildings.
What can receive funding?	Investments in buildings and technical equipment designed to increase energy efficiency
How does the funding

Up to a maximum of 30 % of the eligible costs, depending on headquarters (see thework?

map on page 33) and the size of the company (see below).

and the use of renewable energies are eligible for funding.
Requirements

Requirements 	• Creation and/or safeguarding of jobsT he prerequisite is that the undertaking is associated with a significant reduction ofprimary energy consumption.

• 	Minimum investment of EUR 200,000 in ‘areas with a particular need for action’,
otherwise EUR 500,000

Additional informationB avarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional funding

Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional fundingwww.stmwi.bayern.de

Transformation@Bayern (T@B) special programme
Who can receive funding?	SMEs headquartered in Bavaria.
What can receive funding?	Undertakings in the field of transformation and digitisation are eligible for this funding.
Investments in new measures of digitisation as well as in new, innovative procedure,
production and communication processes are eligible for funding.
Requirements

The minimum investment is EUR 200,000.

Additional information

Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional fundingwww.stmwi.bayern.de

www.stmwi.bayern.de30 Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location?
Funding programme for the tourism sector
PremiumOffensive Tourism
Who can receive funding?	SMEs in the commercial hotel sector with at least ten beds, and businesses in thegastronomy sector in exceptional cases.
What can receive funding? 	Investments in qualitative improvements to guest areas and the implementation of
innovations for guests in the areas of building facilities and equipment.
Requirements 	The same funding rates apply as for commercial enterprises. The minimum investment
amount is EUR 200,000 in ‘areas with a particular need for action’, otherwise EUR
500,000.
Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional fundingwww.stmwi.bayern.de

Tourism in Bavaria – quality and hospitality
Who can receive funding?	Micro and small business in the hotel and gastronomy sectors.
What can receive funding? 	Modernisation, renovation, facilities and expansion measures to improve the quality ofthe service and guest areas.
Requirements 	Funding is available for up to 30 % of costs in subsidy eligibility area C and up to 20 %in subsidy eligibility area D. The minimum investment amount as part of this special
programme is EUR 30,000.
Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional fundingwww.stmwi.bayern.de

Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location? 31

32 Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location?

Are you planning a new location or an expansion of an existing location? 33

Tourism in Bavaria – barrier-free hospitality

Funding areas of the Bavarian state funding programme (valid from 1 January 2017)

Who can receive funding?	SMEs in the commercial hotel and gastronomy sector, regardless of the number of beds.
What can receive funding? 	Investments in improvements to the accessibility of a hotel or gastronomy business.

Hof

CoburgRequirements 	The minimum investment amount as part of this special programme is
EUR 30,000.

Schweinfurt

Aschaffenburg

Bamberg

Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development

BayreuthWürzburg

and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Regional funding

Weidenwww.stmwi.bayern.de

ErlangenAnsbachFürth
Nuremberg
SchwabachAmbergFunding rates by funding area and company size
				

C

D

Other

Small businesses			

Up to 30 %Up to 20 %Up to 20 %Medium-sized businesses			

Up to 20 %Up to 10 %Up to 10 %Large businesses			

Up to 10 %––Regensburg
StraubingIngolstadt
Landshut
Augsburg
MunichMemmingen
Kaufbeuren
Kempten

Eligibility area C
Eligibility area D
Other eligibility areas
Exclusionary economic area
BRF priority ‘areas with a particular need for action’

Rosenheim

Passau34

Funding programmes

Funding programmes

Are you working on your own
research and development
undertaking?

3536 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 37
Open-topic programmes

Please consider the following principles of innovation funding1:

Bavarian Programme for Funding Technology-Oriented Start-Ups
Who can receive funding?

•	Persons who intend to start a technology-oriented commercial enterprise.

What is considered ‘innovation’ when it comes to funding?

		•	Technology-oriented companies that have existed for fewer than six years, havefewer than ten employees and meet the criteria of an SME.

•	
The technologies, products and services to be developed – or the application thereof – must be
new and go well beyond the state of the art.

What can receive funding?

•	Development projects in conjunction with the founding of technology-oriented		•	Conceptual projects – that is, the creation of a viable technological concept ready forcompanies.

What is funded as part of a research and development undertaking?
•	
Staffing costs (engineer, masters / technicians, etc.), cost of materials and third-party services(research contracts, e. g. research services of a university) attributable to the project are eligible
for funding.

assessment.
How does the funding•	Development projects at a maximum of 45 %work?

•	For software projects, the maximum grant for development projects is EUR		•	Conceptual projects at a maximum of 35 %; technological work during the concept

150,000.
phase at a maximum of EUR 26,000.

How does funding work and what is the funding ratio for a research and development undertaking?
Additional information	Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding• Between 25 % and 50 % of the costs eligible for grants, depending on the degree of innovation.
•	
Funding programmes are introduced in the following which are designed as nonrepayablegrants.

What types of projects are there?
•	
Funded projects can / must be carried out as individual or collaborative projects.
An individual project is carried out exclusively by the applicant; a collaborative project involves
the collaboration of multiple partners (companies, universities, research institutions).

1	These principles apply to many innovation funding programmes; individual

programmes may differ from these funding requirements.

• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmes • BayTOU
www.bayern-innovativ.de38 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 39

Bavarian Technology Funding Programme Plus

Digitalbonus

Who can receive funding?

Who can receive funding?	SMEs•	For development projects: medium-sized commercial enterprises with fewer than
400 employees (within the corporate group) that are headquartered in Bavaria or
have a location or operating facility there.

		What can receive funding?	The development, introduction or improvement of products, services and processes•	Larger companies are also permissible for technology projects that are of extra-

through ICT hardware or ICT software, as well as the migration and porting of IT sys-

ordinary strategic importance to Bavaria as a home to research and technology.
		•	For application projects: SMEs

What can receive funding?

•	The development of technologically new or significantly improved products,

		How does the funding

Financial support

work?

• Grant of up to EUR 10,000 (‘Digitalbonus Standard’) andproduction processes and knowledge-based services from the idea through to a		• Up to EUR 50,000 (‘Digitalbonus Plus’)

prototype that fulfils all functions.

		

Expenses for services provided by third parties – including the necessary hardware and		software for the implementation of the measure – are eligible for funding. The funded		

measure must be implemented in Bavaria.

Additional informationD igitalbonus Bayern • Funding programme•	Technology projects that are of extraordinary strategic importance to Bavaria as acentre of research and technology.

How does the funding

tems and IT applications and the introduction or improvement of IT security.

• The funding ratio is between 25 % and 50 %.

www.digitalbonus.bayern

work?
Additional information	Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmes • BayTP+
www.bayern-innovativ.de40 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 41

Innovation vouchers

Bavarian Research Foundation – high technology for the 21st century

Who can receive funding?	SMEs as well as business start-ups

Who can receive funding?	Cooperative projects: Collaboration of one or several companies with one or several
partners from the scientific community.

What can receive funding?	Funding is available for the planning, development and realisation of new products,
production processes or services – or the significant improvement thereof – in the field

What can receive funding?

Innovative research and development undertakings for technologies, processes andof technical or technological innovations. Additionally, funding is also meant to makeservices in the following focus areas:

possible projects with greater financing needs that require special support.

• Life sciences• Information and communication technologies

How does the funding

The funding rate is generally 40 % and can be increased in ten-percentage-point• Microsystem technology

work?

increments up to a maximum of 60 % in ‘areas with a particular need for action’, when

• Material sciences		

contracting a university or nonuniversity research institution (at least 50 % of the• Energy and environment		project / application costs) and / or for micro companies with fewer than ten employees• Mechatronics

		and an annual balance sheet of less than EUR 2 million.

• Nanotechnology		•	Standard innovation voucher: grants for eligible expenses of EUR 4,000 to EUR• Process and production technology

30,000		•	Special innovation voucher: grants for eligible expenses from EUR 30,000 to EUR
80,000 with a funding rate of 50 %Additional information	Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding

How does the funding

The funding rate is generally up to 50 % of the eligible expenses for industrial research

work?

and for feasibility studies. For experimental development, the funding rate is up to		

25 %; exceptions can be made for fundamental research of particular strategic impor-		tance and of an extraordinary nature with 100% of eligible expenses being funded.

• Bavarian project management organisations • Funding programmes• Bavarian innovation voucher
www.bayern-innovativ.de

Additional information	Bavarian Research Foundation • Application process• Funding guidelines
www.forschungsstiftung.de42 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 43

Topic-specific programmes	 Bayerisches Verbundforschungsprogramm	BayVFP – Mobility – Innovative drive technologies

What can receive funding?	The Bayerisches Verbundforschungsprogramm, BayVFP (Bavarian Collaborative

What can receive funding?	Research and development in the following areas:

Research Programme), is designed for industry-led precompetitive collaborative projects• Engine technologies (in particular hydrogen and electric engines)

and provides funding for research and development projects in the following four fields:• Highly efficient drive technologies• Mobility• Energy and thermomanagement• Hybrid technology (fuel cell)• Materials and substances• Life sciences		• Tank and storage technologies, in particular battery technology (solid-state battery)

Additional information

You can find more details under the section titled• Digitisation
Who can receive funding?	Collaborative projects: Funding is meant for collaborations of multiple companies and/‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’.

or of companies and research institutions; this should involve multiple partners along
Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding

the supply chain.

• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmes • BayVFP
How does the funding

For all four lines of funding, the following funding rates can be approved for eligible

work?

expenses:		• 50 % for undertakings or studies in industrial research		• 25 % for undertakings or studies in experimental developments		• Implementation of funding measures is carried out as part of funding calls

Additional information	Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy • Service • Funding programmes • Funding for technology
www.stmwi.bayern.de

www.bayern-innovativ.de

BayVFP – Mobility – Space flight
What can receive funding?	Research and development in the following areas:		• Satellite navigation

		• Earth observation

		• Satellites (small satellites, cube satellites)		• Launch systems/vehicles

		• Use of space flight infrastructure and technologies		• On-orbit services		• Information and quantum technologies

Additional informationY ou can find more details under the section titled‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’.
Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmes • BayVFP
www.bayern-innovativ.de44 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

BayVFP – Materials and substances

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 45

BayVFP – Life science – Medical technology

What can receive funding?	Research and development in the following areas:

What can receive funding?	Research and development, including in the following areas:		• Materials for the provision and storage of energy		• Medical imaging and image processing		• Lightweight materials

		• Telemedicine and e-health		• Materials for medical applications

		• Bioinformatic methods, including biosignal analysis and synthesis		•	
Substitution of resource-limited materials and recycling processes		• Intelligent biomedical sensors and/or actuators in micro- and nanotechnology		• Innovative materials-related process technologies		• Laser applications and optical systems for diagnosis and therapy		• Computer-aided processes and simulation technologies

		• Bioinformatic methods, including biosignal analysis and synthesis

		• Medical technology for minimally invasive surgery and interventions		• Structures and instruments in medical technology		• Biomaterials, tissue engineering and implants		• Organ and orthopaedic prosthetics

		• Physical methods for preservation or selection processes

		• System-relevant software for diagnosis and therapy		• Preventive methods for geriatrics and health maintenance

Additional information

You can find more details under the section titledAdditional information	You can find more details under the section titled‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’ or at

Project Management Jülich • Project funding • Funding programme searchwww.ptj.de‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’.
Bayern Innovativ GmbH • Consulting and funding• Projektträger Bayern • Funding programmes • BayVFP
www.bayern-innovativ.de46 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

BayVFP – Life science – Biotechnology and gene technology
What can receive funding?

Research and development in the following areas:		• ‘White’ (industrial) biotechnology		• ‘Red’ (medical/pharmaceutical) biotechnology		• ‘Green’ (agricultural) biotechnology		•	
Development of technology platforms and creation of competence networks be-		•	Reconditioning processes to reclaim important basic raw materials and closing		• Processes for the remediation of contaminated sites and waste water treatment

tween the business and research communities
materials cycles
			(bioremediation)

Additional information	You can find more details under the section titled‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’ or at

Project Management Jülich • Project funding • Funding programme searchwww.ptj.de

BayVFP – Digitisation – Information and communication technologies
What can receive funding?	Research and development in the following areas:		• Hardware and software engineering		• Data and knowledge management

		• Human–machine communication

		• Real-time systems and embedded systems

		• Data networks for intelligent infrastructures

		• Automation and intelligent production		• Communication networks

		• Technical IT services

		• IT security

Additional information	You can find more details under the section titled‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’ or at
VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbHwww.iuk-bayern.de

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 47

48 Are you working on your own research and development undertaking?

Are you working on your own research and development undertaking? 49

BayVFP – Digitisation – Electronic systems

Bavarian Energy Research Programme

What can receive funding?	Research and development in the following areas:

Who can receive funding?	Stand-alone projects; no research institutions or universities.

		• Development of complex electronic and IT systems

		• System integration		• Production technologies for electronic systems

		• Nano-, micro-, opto- and power electronics

		• Microsystems

		• Sensors and actuators

		• Mechatronic systems

		• Measurement, control and regulation technology

		• Development of electronic devices and components

What can receive funding?

•	Research, development and application of new energy and energy-saving		•	Energy-efficiency measures for investments in energy-saving measures that are		•	Technical feasibility studies conducted in preparation for industrial research and/or

technologies
related to demonstration and introduction
experimental development
How does the funding	Percentage of the eligible expenses:
work?

• Up to 50 % for research undertakings		• Up to 35 % for development undertakings‘Bavarian Collaborative Research Programme (BayVFP)’ or at		• Up to 40 % or 50 % for demonstration undertakings

VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH

Additional information	Project Management Jülich • Project funding

Additional information	You can find more details under the section titledwww.elsys-bayern.de• Funding programme search • Bavarian Energy Research Programmewww.ptj.de50

Funding programmes

Are you interested in topics
related to financing?

Funding programmes

51

52

Are you interested in topics related to financing?

LfA Förderbank Bayern
How does the funding

Long-term subsidised loans in conjunction with easing of risk (waivers of liability,

work?

sureties/letters of comfort and guarantees). The funding products are requested via

		

the bank of the applicant. Without subsidy: Consortium financing at the invitation of		

business banks.

Who can receive funding?	For most programmes, commercial enterprises that meet the requirements for SME
status.
Additional informationwww.lfa.de

Bayern Kapital GmbH
What can receive funding?	Equity capital for the development and market launch of innovative products andprocesses of new companies – from the seed phase to expansion.
Who can receive funding?	For many programmes, Bavarian entrepreneur teams and technology companies withthe legal form of a limited company (Kapitalgesellschaft).
Additional informationwww.bayernkapital.de

Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
How does the funding

Equity capital in the form of mezzanine/silent and open investments for entrepreneurs,

work?

technology start-ups, expansion moves of owners of medium-sized companies, succes-		sion planning, partial sales within the group of partners or the diversification of assets.

Who can receive funding?	Companies that operate in the production and service sectors.
Additional informationwww.baybg.de

Are you interested in topics related to financing?

53

Note
This brochure is published as part of the public relations activities ofInvest in Bavaria, the business promotion agency of the Free State ofBavaria at Bayern International GmbH. It is subject to copyright. All rights
are reserved. This brochure is provided free of charge; any disseminationin exchange for payment is prohibited. The brochure was prepared withthe utmost care. Nevertheless, no guarantee of accuracy and completeness of the contents can be assumed.

Bavarian Ministry of
Economic Affairs,
Regional Development
and Energy

Publisher
Invest in Bavaria –The business promotion agencyof the Free State of Bavaria at
Bayern International GmbHPrinzregentenstrasse 2280538 Munich
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89 242 107 500
Fax:+49 (0)89 242 107 557
welcome@invest-in-bavaria.com
www.invest-in-bavaria.com