Joint press release: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and KfW support start-ups with a new digital platform

• Pilot phase underway for successful market launch; platform available to entrepreneurs from March 2018
• Free support for entrepreneurs from initial idea through to funding request
• Platform brings together start-up supporters from across Germany

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and KfW Group are breaking new ground in the expansion of start-up infrastructure in Germany; together with their partner BusinessPilot, they launch the pilot phase of a new digital platform for entrepreneurs.

The State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Matthias Machnig says, "We want to make purposeful use of the opportunities provid-ed by digitalisation to make it easier start new businesses in Germany. This includes innovative tools for the planning phase but also – and this is perhaps even more important – a digital infrastructure that enables entrepreneurs to interact with both their own networks and external ones. As a result, they will be able to establish close relationships with regional stakeholders, a factor that is crucial when starting a business on a local level."

From March 2018, the website www.gruenderplattform.de ("Start-up Platform" in English) will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with tailored support – from the idea, business model and business plan to the selection of suitable promotion and financing. At the same time, the platform also incorporates major players in start-up consultancy and financing from across Germany. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, KfW – whose legal mandate includes the promotion of start-ups and consultancy services – can therefore provide tailored support for all potential entrepre-neurs with Gründerplattform. Another objective is to eliminate the obstacles during the process of starting a business, encouraging more people to venture into working for themselves and thus helping to stimulate the start-up scene in Germany.

"Our studies have shown us that good preparation is the only way to ensure success as a start-up," says Dr Ingrid Hengster, Member of the Executive Board at KfW Group. "I am particularly pleased that there has been so much interest in Gründerplattform. We already have over 35 partners from all areas of the financial sector on board, as well as a number of chambers. Further partners are set to follow. Having all of these stakeholders together on one website will help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality."

From March 2018, potential business founders will be able to develop their plans free of charge with the help of Gründerplattform. Until then the platform will run through a multi-stage testing phase and incorporate key start-up supporters from across Germany.

Note:
Anyone interested in the service can find information on current developments and the launch of the platform in a newsletter (only available in German): www.gruenderplattform.de