Programs for SMEs 4.0
According to the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, 99.6 % of all companies in Germany are small and medium-sized enterprises and thus drivers of innovation, technology and the economy. In order to survive in the intense regional, national and international competition, many SMEs face the challenge of making their company fit for the future through digitization. In the current situation, it is not simply a matter of "sending employees to the home office". Rather, it is a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digitization. This can simplify corporate processes, develop new lines of business, take into account changes in ordering or purchasing behavior, and improve corporate results through customer-oriented structures.
As an entrepreneur, you are often faced with the questions:
- What do I start with?
- How much investment volume should I expect?
- Who can support me?
There are now many funding opportunities at federal and state level, and we would like to introduce some of them to you below.
Advice centers
With more than 25 regional and thematic Mittelstand 4.0 competence centers, "Mittelstand-Digital" from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy offers provider-neutral contact points throughout Germany for information, awareness-raising and qualification: Here, small and medium-sized enterprises and craft businesses in particular can experience the benefits of digitization through practical examples, demonstrators, information events and a mutual exchange. For example, the topics "Digital business models," "Company processes" and "Networked value chains" are offered. Together with experts, you will create your personal digitization roadmap.
Many chambers of industry and commerce offer a comprehensive range of information on the subject of digitization at:
In addition, they offer initial consultations and digital office hours, for example.
Another important point of contact are the regional DigitalHubs, which are networked under DIGITALHUB.DE. In terms of its shareholder structure, the Digital Hub Cologne is characterized by stability, sustainability, networking, neutrality, transparency and interest in structural policy. In close exchange with associations, companies, startups, politics and social groups, the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the City of Cologne and the University of Cologne have proven to be ideal partners. The Digital Hub Cologne supports companies with all questions regarding digitization, with first steps and identifies the right strategies and measures.
Funding
KFW offers promotional products at particularly favorable conditions, covering loan amounts between EUR 25,000 and EUR 25 million.
NRW.Bank can also provide low-interest loans for small, medium-sized and large companies and freelancers to finance digitization and innovation projects. The guarantee program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia can be used to provide additional collateral to banks. New here since September 1, 2018 is the interest-subsidized digitization loan.
Promotion
Funding for digitization projects is also possible. With "go-digital", the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia support small or medium-sized companies in the commercial sector or the skilled trades in the digitization of processes. If your company meets the requirements for a beneficiary in the "go-digital" support program, you can select a consulting company and conclude a contract with it. Your consulting company will then take care of everything else.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy offers a funding database in which all funding programs are listed thematically. You can use filter options to find a program suitable for your project.
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