When the necessary start-up capital is lacking, neither the establishment nor the growth of a new business can be realized. Often, the amounts needed are not extremely high. Those with a financing requirement of up to 200,000 euros can benefit from the recent revision of the StartGeld program by the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). Since December 2025, more founders have the opportunity to utilize this program.

Funding loans are a good way to finance the establishment and growth of a business. Compared to traditional bank loans, they often offer lower interest rates. Additionally, the funding mandate of public financiers often helps facilitate access to loans. This means that a promising venture can still be realized even if the equity options or the collateral required by the bank fall short of the bank’s expectations.

Starting, buying, or growing

One of the most interesting instruments is the „ERP Start-up Loan – StartGeld“ from the KfW. The history of this funding loan dates back a long way. ERP stands for „European Recovery Program“ and was established after World War II using resources from the Marshall Plan. To this day, it helps new businesses get off the ground – with favorable interest rates, up to two years of repayment relief, and an 80% risk assumption by the KfW. As of 1 December 2025, the maximum amount has increased from 125,000 to 200,000 euros, further enhancing its attractiveness.

Since the post-war years, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau has been supporting the establishment and growth