In Germany, there are many lucrative funding opportunities to help prospective founders, entrepreneurs and the self-employed. The start-up grant is one of the most important, as it is essentially financial support for the unemployed. With our start-up grant checklist, we would like to show you what you need to get your start-up grant approved.
Discussion with start-up experts
Once you have decided on your vision, you need to present it to someone with start-up expertise. As expert start-up consultants, we have an experienced eye for the feasibility of your project. If this is the case, we will help you to put the finishing touches to your idea. This collaboration then culminates in the creation of a finely structured business plan. This will serve as a guide for you in the process of setting up your business and is very relevant for receiving the start-up grant – you can find out more in our article: Why is a business plan important?
Before the start-up grant checklist becomes relevant...
You should think carefully about whether the self-employment you are aiming for is really profitable, realistic and, of course, whether there is a certain passion that goes hand in hand with the venture. In order to bridge the start-up phase and continue the project successfully afterwards, you will need enormous stamina. It therefore makes sense for you to pursue a self-employed activity that you also enjoy.
The start-up grant: brief summary
As the name suggests, the purpose of the start-up grant is to enable people with limited financial resources to set up their business or start their own business. In more concrete terms, the start-up grant is a form of financial security during the start-up phase. It is often the case that financial bottlenecks can arise during the start-up phase. The founders understandably invest a large part of their time in the realisation of their project, which is why other activities and thus also other financial income opportunities are neglected. The start-up grant is intended to bridge these hurdles.
In the following text, we have compiled a checklist containing all the essential steps and requirements to ensure that you can definitely secure the start-up grant. We explain when and where you can apply for the start-up grant, which documents you need and how you can best prepare for the application.
Start-up grant checklist: Necessary documents and reference material
With your notice of termination and the unemployment benefit 1 granted, you now officially have the authorised status to apply for a start-up grant. Now it’s time to compile the necessary documents, which you must submit together with your application. As mentioned above, a well-thought-out business plan plays a key role. It is very beneficial to have a basic structure for your business plan in mind early on, as it represents the roadmap for your start-up. Now you should work it out down to the smallest detail. Once again, it is advisable to work with a knowledgeable person.
The business plan must be supplemented by a well-structured CV with references to proven skills and occupations. It is therefore very advantageous to have completed training that is in some way related to your desired self-employed activity. However, if you cannot show this, it is not an exclusion criterion for the start-up grant.
You should also add a sales and profitability forecast as well as a financing plan to your existing presentation material.
Financing plan:
- Part of the business plan
- Explains where the capital needed for the business will come from
- Shows the amount of loans required
- Used to assess the company’s creditworthiness
Profitability forecast:
- Should demonstrate whether the realization of the company is realistic
- Profitability is illustrated, i.e. the relationship between profit and capital
It may happen that the employment agency requests proof of participation in certain seminars. This will be sent to you after you have taken part in our coaching.
We at Unternehmenswerk are an accredited team of experts for professional start-ups. Take advantage of subsidized advice from the employment agency and we will help you immediately to set up a competitive company. Arrange a free initial consultation with us now.
The compact start-up grant checklist
For some self-employed activities, you need a permit or authorisation from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or Chamber of Crafts (HWK), including a licence in the case of a bakery that wants to offer food and drinks on site. Nevertheless, bakers require a special professional qualification according to legislation – the master craftsman’s licence is mandatory. Although founders can avoid the master craftsman requirement themselves, a master craftsman must be explicitly employed in the business, albeit as an employee. The presentation of such an aptitude, licence or approval for the respective sector is a prerequisite for start-up assistance. So find out before you submit your application and obtain the necessary documents – this is essential.
1
Discussion with us as start-up experts about the feasibility and realisation of your intended self-employment.
2
Register your job search with the office. As soon as you have been made redundant, register as unemployed immediately. You must receive unemployment benefit 1 for at least one day in order to be granted the start-up subsidy.
3
Have a discussion with the job centre and convince them that self-employment is the better alternative. Apply for a start-up grant and an AVGS voucher.
4
With the AVGS voucher, you will receive comprehensive start-up coaching from us, in which all the necessary documents for receiving the start-up grant are prepared.
5
If you have followed all the steps, you are ready to submit the application for the start-up grant.
6
Apply for an extension of the start-up grant in good time - you can find out more in our detailed article: Apply for a start-up grant correctly.
Receive a start-up grant: Step by step with our help
We will help you with all your questions, with obtaining the right documents and with the correct application for the start-up grant. 100% free of charge and with no strings attached.
What our customers say
99% positive Google reviews
"I had Mr Deuble at my side as a consultant and was extremely satisfied. He was always at my side with help and advice, was able to cater to my individual needs and was always flexible. I can only recommend him! I received my grant in the end without any concerns and therefore recommend him to others. Thank you very much 👍"
Mathios I.
Owner, manufacturer of
food supplements
"Absolutely professional, helpful and friendly. The content that is taught is also conveyed perfectly. Everything went to my complete satisfaction. Highly recommended"
Stefan K.
Photographer, Owner
"Mr Deuble has helped me a lot. He is very competent, friendly, always has advice and takes good care of his customers. Exemplary - I can only recommend him."
André G.
Owner, cleaning service provider
"I had the pleasure of taking part in a personal coaching session with the owner, Mr Pavel Deuble, which prepared me for my future self-employment. I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for this exceptional coaching. His approach and commitment far exceeded my expectations. Mr Deuble always responded to my personal needs and priorities and thanks to his flexibility we were able to get the most out of the coaching together and he continues to support me even after the coaching, which is not a matter of course and should be appreciated. I am extremely grateful to Mr Deuble and can recommend his coaching to anyone who is looking for professional support on the path to self-employment."
Melih Orhan
Accounting office
Unique service, super friendly, always available, Mr Pavel was always at our side with help and advice when we set up our business. Everything was done very professionally and seriously! I can only recommend 100%!
Alireza Dehhagi
Gastro
We can only recommend Unternehmens-Werk to others! In addition to the competent advice in every area of setting up a company, Mr Deuble always had an open ear and was always on hand with help and advice. We would like to thank him once again for his great support!
Sebastian Brück
Own Water
Very satisfied. Very good advice and assistance in drawing up the business plan.
Benni Bublak
Independent Trailrunning Media GmbH
The team at Unternehmenswerk gave me super competent advice on all my questions and supported me in drawing up my business plan and applying for a start-up grant. This was approved today! 🙂 Thank you very much for your support 🙏 You guys are great!
Teresa Bach
SEO-Agency
I got to know Unternehmens-Werk as part of a programme run by the employment agency. I immediately felt that I was in very good hands. I needed support with questions about self-employment, and my existing secondary employment was analysed in detail. I am very happy to have been put in touch with Unternehmens-Werk. Thanks to the individual coaching, I can now look to the future with confidence and face the new challenges. My special thanks go to Mr Deuble
Thomas Sperrhake
Hoof service Sperrhake
Mr Deuble was my coach when I started my own business and was always there to help and advise me with questions about taxes, financing and everything else involved. Thanks to his help and the help of his team, I now feel ready and confident to take the plunge into self-employment.
I am absolutely satisfied with the expertise, friendliness, flexibility, professionalism and patience that I received from Mr Deuble in particular. Thanks to his empathic skills, he was even able to convince me that taxes, for example, can be interesting. 🙂 All in all, absolutely recommendable.
Christina Viehmann
My cloverleaf organic shop
Pavel was my coach in the start-up seminar. As a person and coach, 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ stars. His knowledge of founding, financing and everything to do with the authorities is super deep – he is rock solid in the subject matter.
All agreements are processed very quickly – it’s just a lot of fun working with Pavel.
He is also a very good dialogue partner and listener. I am very happy that he found a free date for our training.
Pavel, thank you 🙏 to you and your team for the great work.
Best regards from Bielefeld!
Roman Lewakow
Amazon Retailer
Absolutely professional, helpful and friendly. The content that is taught is also conveyed perfectly. Everything went to my complete satisfaction. Highly recommended.
Stefan Kunz
Photographer
Super, can only be recommended, navigates you safely through the start-up jungle
Karsten Kunde
Management Consultant
Super friendly and competent advice, highly recommended - especially Mr Deuble!!! 👌🏽 Best regards
Schönen Gruß
Benjamin Gergin, Juwelier
