What is funded?

The "Mittelstand meets Startups" innovation voucher supports small and medium-sized enterprises in purchasing products from startups or using their services as part of innovative projects.

Funding covers the costs invoiced to an established company by a startup within the scope of a cooperation. The voucher covers 50% of the expenses incurred through the cooperation (up to a maximum of €20,000).

Funding supports research and development projects aimed at developing innovative products, production methods, or services to the point where they are ready for the market or for production.

This includes scientific activities, research into technologies, patents, or markets, feasibility studies, material or design investigations, and studies on manufacturing techniques. Implementation-oriented research and development activities are also supported (design, construction, service engineering, and prototype building).

Who is eligible for funding?

• Established companies:

• Maximum company size of 250 full-time equivalent employees

• Prior-year revenue of up to €50 million

• Prior-year balance sheet total of up to €43 million



• Startups:

• Must already be founded

• Location-independent

• Less than ten years old

• Innovative technology or business model

• Aiming for significant employee and/or revenue growth



Where can I apply for the voucher?

For further information on the funding conditions and the link to the L-Bank funding portal for applications, please visit:

 https://wm.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/innovation/innovationsgutscheine/innovationsgutschein-mittelstand-trifft-start-ups