"City UpTrade – start-up financing for your business in Bremen"

The German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMWSB) has tasked the German Federal Institute for Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Research (BBSR) with implementing the federal "Sustainable city centres and centres" (ZIZ) programme.

One of the initiatives in this programme is Bremeninvest's "City UpTrade – Start-up financing for your business in Bremen" project which aims to attract business to the city and support them with economic development. The aim is to attract new businesses in the retail, gastronomy, service and artisanal sectors, to ensure the city centre remains varied and vibrant, with the purpose of offering a high-quality experience and making it a magnet for future relocation.

What will financial support be available for?

Financial support will be available for the rent (excluding utilities) for your commercial space. The support will be in the form of a rent subsidy of €250/m², up to a maximum subsidy of €50,000.

How do I apply?

If you have a new, or existing trading concept and have found suitable premises in Bremen city centre, you can apply directly to us with your business idea.

Fill in the Application form and send it to innenstadt@wfb-bremen.de with "City UpTrade funding – Start-up financing for your business in Bremen" as the email subject.

If you're still looking for suitable premises, please do contact us: we will help you find the right space for your business.

Who will receive the funding?

We, Bremeninvest (WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH), will rent the premises on your behalf for the duration of the funding period. These are premises that you will have found either for yourself or which we shall help you find in advance. The subsidy for the rent (excluding utilities) will be paid monthly, directly to the landlord. The length of the funding period depends on the size of your commercial space. The maximum amount is €50,000. At the end of the funding period, Bremeninvest will withdraw from the rental agreement and you will become the sole main tenant.

What process is used to decide whether my trading concept will receive financial aid?

Your business concept will be evaluated according to a range of funding criteria which have been devised and agreed by a committee. We will examine your application and decide whether your business concept is a suitable recipient for financial support, on the basis of the funding criteria and the basic requirements listed above (which are mandatory).

Depending on the purpose of the funding, your trading concept must meet at least 50% (4 out of 8) criteria to be considered eligible for financial support:

Criteria relating to the trading concept

• Economic stability: the trading concept is commercially viable and economically secure.
• Innovation and novelty: the trading concept involves a new, innovative approach or a very creative business idea.
• Diversity of products/services: the trading concept is based on product/service diversity e.g. a broad product range.
• Ecological/social sustainability: the trading concept implements an ecological or socially responsible approach.

Criteria relating to the effect/added value for the location:

• Increased footfall: the trading concept appeals to the public and increases visitor footfall.
• Reinforcing the goods/services on offer: the trading concept reinforces the range of goods/services on offer in the city centre by complementing similar, existing businesses by providing greater diversity.
• Adding to the range of goods/services on offer: the trading concept's offering makes a positive addition to the trading landscape in the city centre by bringing in new and diverse products that are not yet available in the city centre in that particular form.
• Improving the quality of time spent in the city centre: the trading concept will improve the quality of the time visitors spend in the city centre.

If you have questions, or are interested in applying for "City UpTrade" funding, please contact: