Are you a start-up looking for advice and support? Find out what the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria can do for you in this short interview with Claudia Rottmann, BAFA coaching consultant at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
The BAFA program is aimed at both start-ups in their first two years of self-employment and companies that have already been active on the market for some time. The following constellations also apply to start-ups: takeover of an existing company, change of legal form, e.g. from a sole proprietorship to a GmbH, and the addition of new shareholders who take on a management position in the company.
Which types of consultations are frequently requested? How much funding is available for each?
The hottest topics currently include advice on the General Data Protection Regulation, ISO certification, support with financing, business plan creation, and marketing and sales concepts. Many other business-related topics are also supported, such as quality management, recruiting, and online strategies, to name just a few. Legal and tax advice, as well as consulting services, are excluded from funding. Initially, general consulting services are funded for start-ups. This amounts to a maximum of €4,000, of which 50 percent is subsidized. For certain target groups and topics, specialized consulting services can also be funded, also with €4,000.
Grant opportunities for companies in need
Examples include female founders, founders whose parents migrated to Germany, or coaching on sustainability and the environment. After the first two years, companies can receive further funding, again with general and specialized consulting, similar to the support for young entrepreneurs. The funding for existing companies is limited to a maximum of €3,000, of which 50 percent is subsidized. This also applies to specialized topics. Companies in difficulty have the option of receiving 90 percent of the consulting costs, up to a maximum of €3,000.
Can you give specific advice on choosing a consultant?
Only the company itself knows where the problem lies and which consultant is the best fit. In addition to technical expertise, the most important thing to consider here is ensuring the right "chemistry." A BAFA brochure summarizes what interested companies should consider when choosing a consultant. But where do you find the "right consultant"? You can search, for example, in your personal network, at startup events, and online. You can consult the KfW consultant exchange, for example, or you can search with the Federal Association of German Management Consultants. Once you have found the right consultant, you must clarify whether they are approved for the BAFA funding program; otherwise, funding cannot be granted. Coaching appointments are freely selectable.
How does the coaching work and where can I find the applications and forms?
Coaching is available for a maximum of six months. Billing must be completed at the end of this period. Coaching appointments are freely selectable and can be tailored to individual needs. To actually receive funding, young entrepreneurs and struggling companies must first attend an information session with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Afterward, they can submit their application.
Details on the process and application forms.
