Advice for start-ups

A detailed overview of start-up support in the state can be found on the website of the start-up initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs at Gründungsinistiative.

• Information and advice can be obtained from the business development agencies in your area and the start-up centers of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts.
• The starter centers hold information events, advice days together with tax consultants and seminars on various issues relating to starting a business. Most of the information is free of charge. The online offer for start-ups in Rhineland-Palatinate provides an insight into the range of services. The state-wide service hotline automatically connects you with the right contact person.
• The employment agencies are the first point of contact for information on setting up a business from the threat of unemployment or from unemployment.
• The nationwide Institut für Freie Berufe, Nuremberg, is available for advice on setting up a business in the liberal professions.
• Start-up offices at the universities in Mainz, Koblenz, Trier and Kaiserslautern offer advice to students and academic staff at the universities. The state's technology and start-up centers in Mainz, Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern and Ludwigshafen not only offer space for technology-oriented start-ups, but also advice.

If special support from an individual management consultancy is required for the start-up, the state and federal government offer financial support for this. This includes

• the state program for the promotion of start-ups and the start-up coaching Germany, which is handled by the KfW banking group.
  • Applications for these programs are submitted via the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, the Chambers of Crafts and the Institute for Liberal Professions in Nuremberg.
  • The Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) offers various programs to promote the financing of business start-ups. It is advisable to arrange a consultation with the ISB to find out exactly which type of funding is best suited to implementing the start-up idea or company takeover. The ISB's funding programs are processed via the house bank. Funding must be applied for before investment has begun.

Venture capital for innovative start-ups can also be applied for via the ISB. The development bank also works together with the Business Angels Rheinland-Pfalz, who support innovative start-ups as private investors.

Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz provides guarantees to help finance commercially viable projects if the entrepreneur is unable to provide sufficient collateral.

• Business start-ups in Rhineland-Palatinate (starter centers)
• Employment Agency
• State Association of the Liberal Professions Rhineland-Palatinate e.V.
• Rationalization and Innovation Center of German Business e.V.
• Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB)

General advice involves asking about the specific project. The more information already available, the more specific the advice can be. There are no formal requirements for documents.

When applying for advisory support under the state's support program and the Start-up Coaching Germany program, the required information is collected in the application form.

In the case of financial support via the ISB, the required documents depend on the respective support program. Further information can be obtained from the Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB).

Some advisory services (e.g. seminars) may be subject to a fee. This is indicated in each case.

No fees are charged by the IHK and HWK starter centers for applications for consulting support through state or federal programs. Applicants to the Institute for Liberal Professions must pay a processing fee of 95.00 euros.

In the case of financial support, fees are charged for individual support instruments (e.g. guarantees). The funding guidelines provide information on this in individual cases.

The Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) GmbH and the Gründercoaching Deutschland program, for example, offer application documents and information sheets on their websites.

• ISB application documents
• Start-up coaching Germany (business area KfW Mittelstandsbank)

Setting up or taking over a company is a crucial step for everyone. In order to improve the chances of success, reduce risks and avoid start-up mistakes, it is advisable to obtain comprehensive information and take advantage of the wide range of advice and support available.

If you would like to make use of subsidies as a business founder to realize a commercial project, you can also find further information under the heading Regional business development.