Up to 80 % grant for consulting & digitization.
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) provides funding
Consulting and digitization services for small and medium-sized enterprises
Companies — and a large part of our services are located there
Compatible. Here's an overview of everything important.
What is BAFA funding?
The BAFA's "Promotion of entrepreneurial know-how" program
subsidizes external consulting services on economic, financial,
personnel and organizational issues — explicitly also regarding
Digitalization, IT security, and process efficiency. The federal government
It covers part of the consulting costs, which reduces the
A risk for SMEs of purchasing external expertise.
How much funding is available exactly?
Consulting services are eligible for funding up to a maximum amount.
A net fee of €3,500 per consultation. Subsidies are provided.
Percentage by region and company age:
Existing companies — nationwide
SMEs based in the old federal states (excluding the Lüneburg region)
receive 50 % of the net fee as a subsidy — up to a maximum
€1,750 per consultation.
Existing companies — new federal states, Lüneburg, Trier
SMEs in the new federal states, the Lüneburg region
(Lower Saxony) and the Trier region (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Receive 80 % — up to a maximum of €2,800 per consultation.
Startups — nationwide
Companies that have been on the market for no more than 2 years,
Nationwide, 80 % subsidies will be granted — up to a maximum of €2,800.
Each company is entitled to several consultations during the funding period.
cumulative. We will determine the exact maximum per company.
together with you the current BAFA funding information sheet.
Requirements for SMEs
The funding is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises.
(SMEs) as defined by the EU. The most important criteria are:
- Headquarters or branch in Germany.
- Fewer than 250 employees (full-time equivalents).
- Annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
- Registered company — not purely associations, not municipal enterprises.
- The company must not be in financial difficulties.
We will clarify the exact requirements in the initial consultation — exceptions and
Special regulations occur more frequently than the funding information sheet.
suggests.
Which DigElite services can you have subsidized?
We tailor our consulting and concept services so that
They are BAFA-compliant — including the necessary documentation for the
Proof of use. Eligible for funding are, in particular:
Accessibility concept (BFSG)
Audit, WCAG roadmap, implementation concept — fulfillment of obligations according to BFSG.
Automation consulting
Process analysis, quick-win identification, architecture and training.
AI Implementation Concept
Needs analysis, supplier selection, GDPR compliance, training.
Four steps to receiving your funding approval
Initial consultation
15 minutes free of charge. We will check your eligibility for funding and outline a suitable consulting package.
Consultation offer & power of attorney
You will receive a detailed offer with a BAFA-compliant description of services. To enable us to submit the application on your behalf, please fill out a short form. BAFA power of attorney from — form and explanation there on one page.
Application to BAFA
Submit your application online — together with our accredited advisory center. We will check the approval time in advance in the current information sheet.
Implementation & Verification
The consultation is underway; we will deliver a report and proof of use. The grant will be paid out after review by BAFA.
Go directly to BAFA power of attorney —
The form and the explanation are on a separate page.
Quick answers about BAFA funding
Do I have to pay the money upfront?
Yes — you initially pay the full consultation fee. BAFA will reimburse the subsidy to your account after you submit proof of expenditure. We will discuss the current timeframe between submission and reimbursement together during our initial consultation.
How does the BAFA power of attorney work — and why do you need it?
In order for us to submit the application on your behalf, we need a written power of attorney. The form and explanation are summarized on a separate page: View BAFA power of attorney. We submit the application and communicate with the authority — you remain the formal applicant.
What is not eligible for funding?
Pure implementation work (e.g., programming alone) is not eligible for funding. Concept development, analysis, training, and auditing, however, are. We divide our offers accordingly.
Can we combine this with go-digital or Digital Now?
Not for the same service, but consecutively or for different packages. We will review all relevant programs during the initial consultation.
Is there a guarantee of approval?
No one can seriously offer a guarantee — BAFA decides on a case-by-case basis. We prepare applications carefully and discuss risks openly beforehand.
We are not a traditional company — does that also apply to us?
Associations and foundations are not eligible to apply. Freelancers and sole proprietors, however, are, provided they do not work in a regulated profession (e.g., doctors, pharmacists). We will check this in a preliminary consultation.
Is BAFA funding worthwhile for your company?
15-minute initial consultation — we clarify eligibility for funding and appropriate package size.
Have funding opportunities checked
Eligible services:
Accessibility ·
automation ·
AI introduction ·
All FAQs
