Apply for the KfW start-up loan & ERP-StartGeld
Successfully Apply for the KfW Start-Up Loan & ERP-StartGeld
You have the business idea: we secure the capital. Together we create a bankable business plan and obtain the maximum funding for your start-up. No need to worry about the bank meeting.
€200,000
ERP-StartGeld
KfW financing support
Documents for the loan application through your house bank
4.9
on Google
Since 2018
Experience
- Up to €200,000 ERP-StartGeld (€80,000 working capital)
- Up to 80% liability exemption (Haftungsfreistellung) for your house bank
- Application, business plan & bank meeting from a single source
- Free & non-binding
- Reply within 24 hours
- No obligation
Qualifications & experience
Your project in experienced hands.
Our credentials and track record at a glance.
4.88 / 5
92 reviews on ProvenExpert
As of September 2026
750+
business plans written
Since 2018
Registration
BAFA register of consultants
Pavel Deuble, management consultant
Consultant ID 191790
What does this mean for you?
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). Pavel Deuble, consultant ID 191790. Your BAFA-funded consulting must be provided by a listed consultant.
Provider approval
AZAV-approved provider
UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, our sister company
AZAV provider approval Z-000392-2
What does this mean for you?
AVGS programs may only be delivered by approved providers. Our sister company UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, Leverkusen, takes care of this.
Our service
KfW financing support
We put together the documents for your loan application, which your house bank forwards to KfW, and prepare you for the bank meeting.
In practice: Since 2018 we have written more than 750 business plans. 99% of the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) applications we supported were approved (internally documented). The start-up grant is a discretionary benefit under § 93 SGB III; the Employment Agency decides on approval.
Track record & funding notes
Listed in the BAFA register of consultants; AVGS programs through the AZAV-certified provider UW Unternehmensweg GmbH
4.88 out of 5 on ProvenExpert
Based on 92 reviews on ProvenExpert (as of October 2026).
Why many founders fail to get a KfW loan, and how we do it differently
KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany’s federal development bank, does not lend the money directly to you. The house bank principle (Hausbankprinzip) applies: your local savings bank (Sparkasse) or cooperative bank (Volksbank) carries the risk and often rejects applications when the business plan or the numbers have gaps.
This is exactly where we come in: we are the translator between you and the bank. We prepare the application so that the concept and the numbers convince, and the bank can hardly say “no.”
The Key Requirements for the ERP-StartGeld
At a glance: who is funded and how much is possible
- Who? People starting a business, freelancers, and young companies (up to 5 years after founding)
- What? A full-time or side business that is meant to become the main source of income in the medium term
- How much? Up to €200,000 total loan, of which up to €80,000 for working capital
- Advantage: up to 80% liability exemption for your house bank. This significantly lowers its risk
What You Can Use the Loan For
The loan is suitable for starting a business as well as for young companies that want to grow:
- Investments: equipment, machinery, furnishings for office and operations, software, land, and buildings
- Working capital: running costs, personnel, marketing, or external consulting services
- Not eligible: debt rescheduling, follow-up financing, and silent partnerships unrelated to the company’s development
Process, Terms & Good to Know
The application is always submitted through your house bank: it reviews the business plan, the capital requirements calculation, and the collateral and forwards the application to KfW. Access also depends on creditworthiness.
- Long terms with possible repayment-free start-up years secure your liquidity
- After the commitment, the loan can be drawn down for up to 12 months
- Can be combined with a guarantee bank (Bürgschaftsbank) or the start-up grant
- Early repayment possible (possibly with a prepayment penalty)
State-Funded Consulting: 50% to 80% of Consulting Costs Back
You think professional consulting is too expensive? Through BAFA funding or regional programs, you can have 50% to 80% of the consulting costs reimbursed, depending on company location. We are a consultant listed for this (consultant ID 191790). This makes preparing your KfW application especially affordable.
Personal Consulting, No Call Center
You have a dedicated contact person who knows your project and accompanies you from the first idea to implementation. On an equal footing, transparent, and tailored to your situation.
- A dedicated consultant instead of changing case handlers
- Bank-tested documents that meet funding requirements
- Support all the way to the meeting with the bank or authority
Our Worry-Free Package for Your KfW Financing
The KfW check
We check in advance which program fits your capital requirements: for example, ERP-StartGeld of up to €200,000 or the ERP development loan for larger projects.
The bankable business plan
We develop a tailor-made business and financial plan that stands up to the criteria of KfW and your house bank.
The bank meeting coaching
We prepare you for the critical questions of the bank advisors so that you appear confident and convince them.
Equity: what KfW requires and what the house bank expects
For most programs (for example StartGeld 067 or the ERP development loan for SMEs), KfW requires no minimum equity; formally, up to 100% of the costs can be financed. However, because the loan runs through your house bank and the house bank shares the risk, the bank in practice usually expects 10–20% own funds before it commits. Equity improves creditworthiness, terms, and the likelihood of approval.
Exception for takeovers and succession: Here the equity ratio is often less decisive, because the running business with its cash flow and assets serves as collateral. We prepare your application in such a way that the house bank goes along with it.
Official Sources, Information Sheets & Flyers
The authoritative primary sources to read up on: information sheets and program pages of the responsible funding bodies, as well as the relevant legal texts.
External links to official bodies, checked on June 19, 2026. Content and terms may change; the source itself is always authoritative.
Video testimonials
First-Hand Experiences
See how founders experienced the path to funded self-employment, with real names and verifiable on request.
4.9 / 5 · 65 Google reviews
In 30 minutes we answer all your questions, free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the KfW Start-Up Loan
Can I apply for the KfW loan directly from KfW?
No. KfW works on the house bank principle: you submit the application through your regular bank or savings bank. It reviews the documents and forwards them to KfW. We prepare everything so that it is convincing.
How high is the KfW start-up loan?
The ERP start-up loan StartGeld covers up to €200,000, of which up to €80,000 for working capital (as of 2026). For larger projects, there are other KfW/ERP development loans.
Do I need equity for the ERP-StartGeld?
Formally, no equity is mandatory. However, a small equity ratio or collateral significantly increases your chances with the house bank. A guarantee bank can also replace missing collateral.
What does the 80% liability exemption mean?
KfW takes on up to 80% of the default risk vis-à-vis your house bank. That lowers the bank’s risk and makes loan approval noticeably easier.
How long does approval take for a KfW loan?
Once the house bank forwards the application to KfW, it usually takes only a few days. The bottleneck is the processing at your house bank. With perfect preparation, we often shorten the process from weeks to days.
Don’t Let Your Project Fail Over Paperwork
A poorly prepared bank meeting can slow down your self-employment. We put your financing on a solid footing from the start.