From a BAFA-listed funding advisor based in Heidelberg, active in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region since 2019.
Successfully delivered
Secured for our clients
Due to quality issues
For over 5 years
Certified and recognised by leading institutions
BVMW Member (German SME Association)
Recognised by BAFA (German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control)
Co-funded by the European Union
Trusted by our clients on Google
Three ways to start a business in Heidelberg with public funding — pick the one that matches your status.
We discuss your situation and clarify which funding programme applies — in person in Heidelberg or online.
We check your eligibility (AVGS, Gründungszuschuss, Einstiegsgeld, BAFA) and plan the application sequence.
We support you throughout the entire process: application, business plan, viability certificate, approval.
From over 200 successfully delivered business plans — voices of our clients across Germany.
"I can warmly recommend the Business Start EU team!"
"Excellent collaboration and a strong business plan delivered in a short time."
"Top service — A+!"
Heidelberg is Germany's second-largest life sciences hub after Munich. With Germany's oldest university, the DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center), the EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory), and the Technology Park, the city offers a vibrant founder ecosystem. Heidelberg has been recognised as a "founder-friendly municipality" (Start-up BW Local). The state of Baden-Württemberg supports founders with EXI vouchers, L-Bank loans, and the Start-up BW Pre-Seed programme.
| Institution | Address & contact | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Agentur für Arbeit Heidelberg (Federal Employment Agency) |
Kaiserstraße 69-71, 69115 Heidelberg 0800 4 55 55 00 (free) |
AVGS and Gründungszuschuss (for ALG I recipients) |
| Jobcenter Heidelberg |
Speyerer Straße 6, 69115 Heidelberg 06221 9159-111 (Markt & Integration) |
AVGS and Einstiegsgeld (for Bürgergeld recipients) |
| IHK Rhein-Neckar, Heidelberg branch (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) |
Hans-Böckler-Straße 4, 69115 Heidelberg 06221 9017-0 |
Qualified expert body, start-up consulting |
| Handwerkskammer Mannheim Rhein-Neckar-Odenwald (Chamber of Crafts) |
B1, 1-2, 68159 Mannheim 0621 18002-0 |
Qualified expert body for crafts-sector founders |
| Wirtschaftsförderung Heidelberg (Heidelberg Economic Development) |
Heiliggeiststraße 12, 69117 Heidelberg (0 62 21) 58-3 00 00 |
City-specific founder consulting, Start-up BW Local |
| Heidelberg Startup Partners e.V. |
Im Neuenheimer Feld 582, 69120 Heidelberg +49 6221 71411162 |
Cross-institutional founder office, funding advice |
Heidelberg is our home base — you can meet us in person on-site. Since 2019 we have supported founders and entrepreneurs in creating professional business plans. With over 20 years of combined experience in business consulting, we are your reliable partner on the path to self-employment.
As a BAFA-listed funding advisor (consultant ID 186617) with a real office in Heidelberg, we know the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region and its founder ecosystem first-hand. You are not just a number — we advise you personally, on-site or online.
You apply for the AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the German "activation and placement voucher") at the Agentur für Arbeit Heidelberg (Kaiserstraße 69-71, 69115 Heidelberg) if you receive ALG I (unemployment benefit I), or at the Jobcenter Heidelberg (Speyerer Straße 6) if you receive Bürgergeld (citizen's income). The prerequisite is an intention to start a business and cooperation with an AZAV-certified training provider.
The Jobcenter Heidelberg is located at Speyerer Straße 6, 69115 Heidelberg (Tel: 06221-9159-111 for Markt & Integration, 06221-9159-222 for benefits). Important: the Jobcenter Rhein-Neckar-Kreis (Czernyring 22/12) is responsible for the surrounding district, not for the city of Heidelberg itself.
The Agentur für Arbeit Heidelberg accepts viability statements (fachkundige Stellungnahmen) from: IHK Rhein-Neckar (Hans-Böckler-Straße 4), Handwerkskammer Mannheim Rhein-Neckar-Odenwald (B1, 1-2, Mannheim), tax advisors, as well as BAFA-listed business consultants such as Business Start EU (BAFA No. 186617).
Yes! Business Start EU (BAFA No. 186617) has had its actual office in Heidelberg since 2019. Unlike many online-only providers, we can offer you in-person appointments on-site — or you can flexibly use our online consulting. The choice is yours.
Heidelberg has a vibrant founder ecosystem: the SRH Gründer-Institut has supported more than 250 start-ups since 2010 and raised 30 million euros in funding. Heidelberg University offers programmes for academic founders through hei_INNOVATION and the Startup Lab. Heidelberg Startup Partners in the Technology Park connects all the local players.
Heidelberg is Germany's second-largest life sciences hub after Munich. The BioMedTec region comprises more than 220 companies with 22,000 employees and 2.8 billion euros in economic output. The Technology Park offers specialised laboratory space (currently at 98% occupancy). DKFZ, EMBL, and the University Hospital ensure excellent research connectivity.
The Gründungszuschuss (startup grant, § 93 SGB III) is for ALG I recipients and is applied for at the Agentur für Arbeit Heidelberg — up to 15 months of funding. The Einstiegsgeld (start-up allowance, § 16b SGB II) is for Bürgergeld recipients and is applied for at the Jobcenter Heidelberg — up to 24 months, plus a possible investment subsidy of up to 5,000 euros.
BAFA (the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control) subsidises consulting for founders in Baden-Württemberg up to 50% of consulting fees (max. €1,750 subsidy on a maximum of €3,500 in consulting costs). In addition, EXI vouchers from the state of Baden-Württemberg can cover up to 80% of costs during the pre-start-up phase.
Call us for a free initial consultation. We discuss your plans and find the right funding path for you — in person in Heidelberg or flexibly online.
100% free of charge via the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. Personal consulting on-site in Heidelberg or online.
Learn moreUp to 15 months of funding from the Heidelberg employment agency. We help with the application and the qualified expert statement.
Learn moreUp to 24 months of funding from the Heidelberg Jobcenter plus an investment subsidy of up to 5,000 euros.
Learn moreBank-ready, BAFA-subsidised up to 50%, delivered in 14 days. Personal consulting in Heidelberg or online.
Learn moreQualified expert statement (Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung) for your Gründungszuschuss application. BAFA-listed, 5 business days processing time.
Learn morePersonal consulting on-site or flexibly online. BAFA-listed (No. 186617), based in Heidelberg since 2019.