Entrepreneurs and founders often face new challenges and need professional advice to improve their chances of success. Expert knowledge and individual consultations from a founder coach or business consultant, however, come at a price. The funding program of the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), for example, offers subsidies for consulting costs to financially support companies in this process. Ms. Rottmann, BAFA coaching consultant at Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria, in a short interview.
Ms. Rottmann, which companies is the funding program aimed at?
The program is aimed at both start-ups in their first two years of self-employment and companies that have been active on the market for some time.
Incidentally, the following constellations also count as start-ups: takeover of an existing company, change of legal form, e.g. from UG to GmbH, and addition of new shareholders who take on a management position in the company.
Hot topic: Financing
Which types of consultations are actually in demand? How much funding is available for each type?
The hottest topics are support with financing, the creation of a business plan, and the marketing and sales concept. Many other business topics are also covered. promoted, e.g., quality management, personnel recruitment, online strategies, to name just a few. Legal and tax advice, as well as consulting services, are excluded from funding.
Start-ups are initially funded for general consulting. This amounts to a maximum of €4,000, of which €50 is funded. Specialized consulting may also be funded for certain target groups and topics. Examples include female founders, founders whose parents migrated to Germany, or coaching on sustainability and the environment.
After the first two years, companies can apply for further funding, again with general and specific advice, similar to that provided to young entrepreneurs. The maximum funding for existing companies is €3,000, of which 50% are eligible. This also applies to special topics.
Companies in difficulty have the opportunity to receive a subsidy of up to €3,000 for advice.
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 the technical aspects, the most important consideration is the right "chemistry." A brochure from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) 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 on the Internet. Here, for example, the KfW Advisor Exchange be consulted or at Federal Association of German Management Consultants If you have the right Advisor found, it must be clarified whether this is approved by the BAFA for the funding program, otherwise the funding cannot be granted.
Coaching appointments can be freely chosen
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 complete an information session with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Afterward, they can submit their application.
Details on the process and application forms.
We thank Ms. Rottmann for the interesting interview!
The “Promotion of Entrepreneurial Know-How” program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Social Fund.
