INVEST development program available again

Business angels can now once again receive grants from the state for their investments in start-ups.

The expired INVEST program is being relaunched. Funding for business angels was discontinued at the end of last year. The program was initially no longer available as the European Commission had to review its necessity. This is because public funding may only be provided if it is necessary. This is stipulated by the EU's "state aid control", which is intended to ensure a level playing field and make sure that state subsidies do not distort competition.

"This means that the venture capital subsidy can flow again," says Christoph J. Stresing, Managing Director of the Start-up Association. This is good news for start-ups and business angels, especially in times of a tense economic situation.

"The new funding guideline has light and shade," says Stresing. In future, follow-up financing will no longer be funded. Business angels with very high investment volumes will also be removed from the program. "On the positive side, however, the subsidy itself will be increased by 5 percent to 25 percent," says Stresing.