AVGS Start-up Coaching in Berlin — fully funded by the Federal Employment Agency

The AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein — Activation and Placement Voucher, fully funds certified start-up coaching, § 45 SGB III) is, for many founders in Berlin, the gateway into self-employment. As Germany's largest start-up location — with more than 40 active venture capital firms, the TU Centre for Entrepreneurship, and over 600 tech start-ups — Berlin offers unique opportunities. With the AVGS, you can receive your start-up coaching completely free of charge.

1. What is an AVGS and who is entitled to it?

The AVGS, under § 45 SGB III, is a funding instrument of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Federal Employment Agency at the federal level). It enables you to receive professional start-up coaching, with 100% of the cost covered by the state.

Eligibility criteria for the AVGS

• ALG I recipients: You currently receive Arbeitslosengeld I from the Agentur für Arbeit Berlin, or
• Bürgergeld recipients: You receive Bürgergeld from the Jobcenter of your Berlin district
• Intent to start a business: You plan to set up as a full-time self-employed person
• Remaining entitlement: You still have sufficient remaining entitlement to benefits
• Suitability: You are personally and professionally suited to self-employment

2. AVGS in Berlin — where to apply

Berlin is divided into four regional Agentur für Arbeit offices and 12 district Jobcenter Berlin offices. Depending on which benefit you receive, a different office is responsible:

The path to the AVGS — step by step

3. What happens during the coaching?

AVGS start-up coaching is not a theoretical training programme but intensive 1:1 support on your path into self-employment in Berlin.

Typical coaching content

• Business model: sharpening your idea, target group, unique selling point in the Berlin market
• Market analysis: competitors, market potential, positioning in Berlin (population 3.7 million)
• Financial plan: capital requirement, revenue forecast, liquidity planning
• Business plan: bank-ready documentation for funding applications (including IBB-compliant documents)
• Administrative steps: trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), IHK Berlin, tax office for corporations
• Funding programmes: Gründungszuschuss, BAFA, IBB start-up loan, Berlin Coaching BONUS

4. Which provider is in charge in Berlin?

The AVGS can only be redeemed with an AZAV-certified coaching provider. Berlin offers a large number of such providers. Business Start EU works together with established carrier providers that meet the formal requirements — while we, as your coach, take on the substantive work.

5. Berlin's start-up ecosystem — universities and contact points

As Germany's start-up capital, Berlin offers a unique founder ecosystem. As an aspiring founder, you can benefit from the following:

Universities and start-up centres

Important contact points in Berlin

• IHK Berlin (Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Berlin) — Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin, phone: 030 31510-0 (expert opinions for funding applications)
• Handwerkskammer Berlin (Berlin Chamber of Skilled Crafts) — Blücherstraße 68, 10961 Berlin, phone: 030 25903-0
• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie (Berlin Partner for Business and Technology) — Ludwig-Erhard-Haus, Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin, phone: 030 46302-444
• Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) (Berlin Investment Bank) — Bundesallee 210, 10719 Berlin — Berlin start-up loan, Pro FIT, Coaching BONUS
• Technologiestiftung Berlin (Berlin Technology Foundation) — funding for innovative start-ups from science

6. Common mistakes in the AVGS application in Berlin

The most common reasons for problems with the AVGS application in Berlin:

• Wrong area of responsibility: Berlin has four Agentur für Arbeit offices — make sure you approach the correct one (based on your home district)
• Applying too early: without a clear start-up concept, the funding will not appear purposeful
• Missing coach: without a concrete provider/coach, the placement officer cannot process the application
• Weak concept: if the viability of the idea in the Berlin market appears doubtful
• Late planning: in Berlin, processing times can be longer due to high application volumes

7. How we support you in Berlin

Business Start EU (BAFA No. 205985) has been supporting founders from Berlin for years — online, flexibly scheduled, and with the quality standard you can expect from a BAFA-listed consultant. In Berlin, with long waiting lists at some providers, online consulting is often the faster route.

Our approach

1. Free initial consultation: we clarify your situation, funding options and the next steps
2. AVGS preparation: we help you present your business idea to your Berlin placement officer
3. Provider matching: we connect you with a suitable AZAV-certified coaching provider
4. Coaching: intensive 1:1 support by our experienced coaches — 100% online
5. Follow-up perspective: Gründungszuschuss (start-up subsidy), BAFA funding, IBB programmes, Berlin Coaching BONUS