The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is expanding its innovation funding and is now also supporting digital business models.
The pilot funding “Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions (IGP)” is explicitly aimed at young companies. 25 million euros are available over four years.
The "Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions (IGP)" of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) also explicitly supports non-technical innovations. Thus, the funding is also aimed at ideas from the cultural and creative industries, freelancers, and service providers.
Altmaier: “We promote digital business models”
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier on this:
“We are expanding our innovation support and now explicitly supporting non-technical innovations, such as new digital business models.”
Altmaier explains the decision as follows:
"We want to reach more young, small, and medium-sized businesses, because there are many smart entrepreneurial ideas that drive our economy forward, whether in the cultural and creative industries, from freelancers, or from small service companies."
Call for the innovation program for business models and pioneering solutions in autumn
The BMWi also aims to reduce obstacles on the path from idea to market success. Among other things, the pilot funding addresses innovative business models and design approaches, as well as application software such as learning apps.
A first call for funding is planned for the fall, focusing on digital and data-driven business models. A second call is planned for next year, specifically targeting innovations in the cultural and creative industries. A third call is expected to focus on innovations with a particularly high social impact. A total of €25 million is available over four years.
Selection system with pitches
Instead of relying on scientifically trained experts, as is the case in many areas of technology funding, entrepreneurs will have to convince through pitches in the pilot funding.
The BMWi’s guideline for pilot funding “Innovation Programme for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions” is viewable here.
