Funding programmes for Bremen

The Unternehmensservice Bremen agency is a one-stop shop offering advice on all aspects of business start-ups and funding programmes as well as imports and exports. It works as a kind of customer centre, providing initial assistance and support with official processes and formalities. For more information about Unternehmensservice Bremen visit www.unternehmensservice-bremen.en.

The advice can be provided in German, English, Turkish or Russian.

We act as a central contact point and service centre for companies in Bremen and Bremerhaven and from all over Europe. Our German name Einheitlicher Ansprechpartner means single point of contact and is often abbreviated to EP or EAP.

Every start-up business needs something different. Which is why the organisations in Bremen that support them need to work closely together. Bremeninvest offers entrepreneurs and start-ups office space and professional advice.

Collaboration with the STARTHAUS

• Business start-up consultancy, seminars, information, events
• Advising companies in Bremen and Bremerhaven in all phases of self-employment
• Confidential, neutral, free

continue to the STARTHAUS

BRIDGE (website only in German) is the first port of call for Bremen graduates who are looking to start their own business. Its services are aimed at students, alumni and associates of Bremen University, Bremen University of Applied Sciences and Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences as well as associated organisations and research institutes.

For more information please contact BRIDGE

The technology and start-up centres in Bremen provide key services and many other facilities for start-ups and young technology companies. The BITZ (Bremen Innovation and Technology Centre), the associated Fahrenheit Houses and Design House and the start-up centre in the Bremen World Trade Centre provide the best possible environment for start-up companies to innovate and succeed.

The LIP Bremen regional investment programme is available to all companies that are investing in Bremen because they are expanding their operations or would like to base themselves in the area:

• Financial support for every stage of starting a new business
• Grant (7.5 per cent – 30 per cent of the eligible costs) or subsidised loan of at least €50,000 (50 per cent of the eligible costs)
• Ten-year term (the first two years are interest-only)
• Offered by the EU, the German government and the federal state of Bremen

The capacity of a company to innovate has never been more important. This funding programme will help you to minimise risk in the development of products, processes and services. We can also help you to find Bremen-based partners in business and research. We will provide advice and support in all phases of the project in order to keep your costs down and make your innovation project a success.

The idea is to secure and strengthen the competitiveness of Bremen companies and their capacity to innovate

• Support is provided for innovative products, processes and services that have a positive impact on the economy
• Grants for collaboration projects up to a maximum of €200,000 (max. €100,000 per partner)
• Subsidised loan up to a maximum of €200,000 (no collateral required, 100 per cent of the eligible costs)
• Six-year term (the first three years are interest-only, option to repay loan completely after three years)

• Support for small and medium-sized businesses in the commercialisation and marketing of innovative products, processes and services
• Up to 50 per cent of the costs incurred can be subsidised (up to a maximum of €20,000)
• Only costs for third-party services are eligible for funding

Environmental protection and efficiency go hand in hand. The PFAU programme offers a range of funding options to suit the varying needs of Bremen companies.

• Support is provided for new products, processes and services that have a positive impact on the environment.
• Collaborative projects: funding up to a maximum of €200,000 (50 per cent of the eligible costs, 100 per cent for the research partner, no more than 75 per cent of the costs of the collaborative project can be covered by the funding)
• Pilot projects: support up to a maximum of €150,000 (50 per cent of the eligible costs)

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy launched this programme to enable German companies to exhibit at international trade fairs in Germany at discounted rates.

The events that are eligible for the programme are selected by the ministry in accordance with the following criteria:

• German trade fairs with a high number of international exhibitors and visitors
• Certification from the Society for the Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (FKM)

A list of trade fairs can be downloaded from www.auma.de and www.bafa.de.

Detailed information on the specifications of the trade fair stand, the funding criteria, the funding amounts and the application process can be downloaded here, or obtained from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

The team at Bremeninvest will happily provide you with advice on a suitable EU or German federal funding programme for your project.

The Bremeninvest-Team supports all kind of companies in their efforts by providing information and services and running related initiatives. Please visit our site Advice and assistance for international trade for more information.

The Enterprise Europe Network was set up by the European Commission in order to provide a comprehensive set of services at local level for issues related to the EU and to the internationalisation of business and research.

Support in Bremen
In Bremen and Bremerhaven the Enterprise Europe Network Bremen will help you to access new markets and find suitable business partners in countries outside Germany. We will gladly provide you with information and advice on European funding programmes and EU regulations and can help you to market your innovative product ideas across Europe. We will also happily pass on your suggestions for how EU regulations might be improved.

A common objective
For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, Europe is opening up new opportunities in new markets. By working with our 600 or so partners in over 40 countries, we can help you capitalise on these opportunities.
You will find further information on the Enterprise Europe Network Bremen website.

Funding programmes and networks are not the only means of support for businesses in Bremen. The city's development bank (Bremer Aufbau-Bank) offers a wide choice of finance options – from micro-loans for business start-ups to venture capital funds for incorporated entities. Get in touch and our colleagues will help you to find the right option for your needs.

Bremen's development bank (Bremer Aufbau-Bank) operate a crowdfunding platform in conjunction with Startnext.

Crowdfunding is a relatively new term, although the underlying concept has been around for a long time. It describes a method of obtaining money for projects, products and business ideas. The capital is raised by asking large numbers of people for a small amount of money. Once enough 'crowdfunders' have been found, the project can be realised. The money that these people pledge has to be used for the purposes stated in the original outline.

We provide support for cultural and sporting events in Bremen and Bremerhaven that have the potential to be of nationwide importance. Bremeninvest provides the support on behalf of – and using funds provided by – Bremen's Senator for the Economy, Labour and Europe. Further information, applications and a list of events can be found in the funding for events section.