Table of contents
The startup grant is one of the best funding programs for aspiring self-employed people in Germany. Up to 15,000 euros - non-refundable. But: Most applications are rejected.
In this guide you learn how to prepare your application so that it gets approved - with the right financial plan as the key to success.
1. What is the startup grant?
The startup grant is a funding program of the Federal Employment Agency. It helps unemployed people take the step into self-employment - financially secured.
In short
You receive money from the employment office for up to 15 months to build your business. In the initial phase you get your unemployment benefit plus an allowance for social security.
The two phases
Phase 1: Base funding
6 monthsYou receive your previous unemployment benefit I plus 300 euros per month for your social security.
Phase 2: Buildup phase
9 months (upon request)After successfully completing phase 1, you can apply for another 300 euros per month for social security.
2. Eligibility: who gets it?
Not everyone can apply for the startup grant. You must meet these requirements:
- ALG I entitlement: You must be receiving unemployment benefit I (not ALG II / Bürgergeld)
- Remaining entitlement: At least 150 days of remaining ALG I entitlement at the time of founding
- Main occupation: Self-employment must be your main activity (at least 15 hours per week)
- Viability: An expert authority must assess your project as viable
- Suitability: You must be personally and professionally qualified
Important: no legal entitlement!
The startup grant is a discretionary benefit. The employment office decides at its discretion. That is why perfect preparation matters so much.
Who is the "qualified body"?
Das Arbeitsamt akzeptiert Stellungnahmen von:
- Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK)
- Handwerkskammer (HWK)
- Berufsständische Kammern
- Fachverbände
- Kreditinstitute
- Steuerberater
- BAFA-zertifizierte Gründungsberater
When no startup grant is paid
Even those who meet the basic requirements can come away empty-handed in certain cases: as long as a suspension ground applies - such as a blocking period - no startup grant is paid (§ 93 Abs. 3 SGB III). Renewed funding is excluded if fewer than 24 months have passed since the end of an earlier start-up subsidy (§ 93 Abs. 4 SGB III). And from the month after reaching the standard retirement age, no startup grant is paid any longer (§ 93 Abs. 5 SGB III).
Legal basis: Requirements under § 93 SGB III, amount and duration under § 94 SGB III. Full text at gesetze-im-internet.de (Legal status: 2026).
3. How much money will you receive?
The amount of the founders grant depends on your current unemployment benefit (ALG I).
| Phase | Duration | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 6 months | ALG I + 300 euros/month |
| Phase 2 | 9 months | 300 euros/month |
Calculation example
Sample calculation
Assumption: Your ALG I is 1,200 euros/month
Phase 1 (6 months):
(1,200 euros + 300 euros) x 6 = 9,000 euros
Phase 2 (9 months):
300 euros x 9 = 2,700 euros
Total: 11,700 euros
4. Why 90% are rejected
The hard truth: most founders grant applications fail. Not because the business idea is bad - but because the documents don't convince.
The most common reasons for rejection:
Insufficient financial plan
The most common reason. Excel sheets without explanation, unrealistic numbers, missing scenarios.
Viability not proven
"Can he/she live off this?" - If the employment agency cannot answer this question with yes, you get rejected.
Business plan too thin
No clear target group, no unique selling point, no market analysis.
Negative expert opinion
The expert body has doubts - and that carries over to the employment agency.
The employment agency asks itself:
- Can this person live off it?
- Are the numbers realistic?
- Has she thought of everything?
- Is the venture viable?
If you do not clearly answer these questions, you will be rejected.
5. The perfect financial plan for the employment agency
The financial plan is the heart of your application. This is where it is decided whether you convince - or not.
What the employment agency wants to see:
- Capital requirement: How much money do you need to start?
- Revenue forecast: How will your income realistically develop?
- Cost plan: What ongoing costs do you have?
- Liquidity plan: Can you pay your bills every month?
- Profitability forecast: When do you start making a profit?
- Private withdrawals: How much do you need to live on?
How to convince them:
Realistic figures
No fantasy revenues. The employment agency knows industry benchmarks. Better plan conservatively.
Comprehensible derivation
Not just numbers - but also explain how you arrive at them. "I plan 10 customers at 500 euros = 5,000 euros"
Different scenarios
Best case, worst case, realistic. Shows that you know the risks and have prepared for them.
Professional format
A clean, professional financial plan is more convincing than a chaotic Excel sheet.
The biggest mistake
A financial plan from Excel convinces no one. Case workers see immediately: someone clicked this together in 10 minutes. You need professional documents.
6. Step by step to the application
Arrange a consultation
Contact your employment counselor and share your intention to found a business. Request an appointment.
Prepare documents
Business plan, financial plan, CV, qualification certificates, business registration (draft).
Obtain qualified expert opinion
IHK, tax advisors or founders' consultants review your concept and issue a viability certificate.
Submit the application
Submit all documents to the employment agency - ideally in person during a meeting.
Register your business
After approval: register your business and get started. The grant begins on the founding date.
Required documents checklist
- Completed application for the founders grant
- Business plan with business idea and market analysis
- Financial plan (capital requirement, revenue, costs, liquidity)
- Viability certificate from the expert body
- CV with qualifications
- Proof of professional qualification (diplomas, certificates)
- Business registration or confirmation from the tax office
7. Create a financial plan with MiraSmart
Want a financial plan that convinces the employment agency? With MiraSmart Finance you create professional documents - for free and in under 30 minutes.
What MiraSmart Finance offers:
- Capital requirement plan: All startup costs cleanly listed
- Revenue forecast: Realistic revenue planning with derivation
- Cost plan: Fixed and variable costs clearly presented
- Liquidity plan: Month by month - shows that you remain solvent
- Profitability forecast: When do you reach break-even?
- PDF export: Professional documents for the employment agency
Pro tip
A professional financial plan from MiraSmart not only impresses the employment agency - the expert body (IHK, tax advisor) will also judge more positively when your numbers are professionally prepared.