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Funding in Saxony: grants for websites, marketing and digitalisation

In Saxony, 8 state programmes are currently open that can subsidise services like ours – plus the federal programmes. Here you find all of them with funding rate, conditions and link.

Funding finder for Saxony

1What are you planning? Select as many as you like.

State programmes in Saxony (8)

Saxony

Digitalisation grant ERDF 2021–2027 (FRL Digi-Z)

Official name: Digitalisierung Zuschuss EFRE 2021 bis 2027 (FRL Digi-Z) · SMWA / Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)

Grant for digitalisation projects: external services for planning/design/implementation, necessary hardware and software (incl. rental/SaaS with min. 24 months), introduction incl. training (max. 20%). Plus 7% flat rate for indirect costs.

Introductory level (Heranführung) up to 60%; transformation micro/small enterprises up to 50%, medium-sized up to 35%; +10 percentage points with collective bargaining · Eligible direct expenditure max. €10,000 (Heranführung), €60,000 (transformation, small), €100,000 (transformation, medium-sized); minimum expenditure €5,000

Suits: Automation, Software and apps, Online shop, Website, IT security, Cloud, Training, Social media, Strategy, Trade fair presence

  • Apply in the SAB funding portal BEFORE the project starts; start only after confirmation of receipt by email (signing a contract/down payment counts as start)
  • Clearly justify the improvement in digitalisation level (target vs. current state)
  • No links (Verflechtung) between applicant and service provider

Note: Most important Saxon programme for agency implementation services, but currently closed for clients in eastern Saxony/Dresden/Chemnitz.

Status: Partially stopped: applications closed since 17 July 2026 for the entire transition region; applications only possible in the City of Leipzig and the districts of Leipzig and Nordsachsen

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxony

Digitalisation loan (Digi-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand)

Official name: Digitalisierungsdarlehen (Digi-D) – FRL Darlehen für den Mittelstand · SMWA / SAB

Low-interest loan for digital transformation: external services (planning, design, implementation), hardware/software, introduction incl. training; also production machinery with integrated software

Up to 100% of eligible expenditure (young small enterprises), up to 70% (established/medium-sized); interest 1.5% p.a. (JTF regions) or 2.5% p.a.; term up to 6 years, 1 year repayment-free · €30,000 to €250,000 per project

Suits: Automation, Software and apps, Online shop, Website, IT security, Cloud, Training

  • Apply BEFORE the project starts (funding portal, later via your bank)
  • Improvement of digitalisation level/digitalisation of complex processes/new business models
  • Not eligible: online marketing, basic ICT equipment, phones/smartphones, staff

Note: Loan, not a grant. The €30,000 minimum volume makes it more relevant for larger shop/software/automation projects. Online marketing (SEO/SEA/social ads) explicitly excluded.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verify

Market launch loan (MEP-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand)

Official name: Markteinführungsdarlehen (MEP-D) – FRL Darlehen für den Mittelstand · SMWA / SAB

Low-interest loan for market launch: materials, staff, external services, fixed assets, other operating expenses

Up to 100% (young small enterprises) or 80% (established/medium-sized); interest 1.5% (JTF) or 2.5% p.a.; term up to 8 years, max. 2 years repayment-free · €30,000 to €500,000 per project

Suits: Strategy, Brand and logo, Website, Print, Trade fair presence, Film and photo, Social media, SEO and online marketing

  • Innovation through own ideas or R&D
  • Apply before the project starts
  • No collateral; De-minimis/AGVO

Note: Loan, not a grant. Clarify with SAB beforehand whether advertising services (campaign, film, print, ads) are recognised as external services or other operating expenses.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verify

Short consultation via chambers/associations (part of FRL Beratungsförderung)

Official name: Kurzberatung über Kammern/Verbände (Teil der FRL Beratungsförderung) · SMWA / SAB (funding goes to chambers and associations)

The chambers' consultants are funded; free or low-cost initial/short consultation for companies (< 5 consultant days)

Funding goes to the chamber (e.g. €250 per consultant day); usually free of charge for companies · Not applicable

Suits: Consulting, Strategy

  • Consulting is provided by chamber/association consultants, not by independent agencies

Note: No grant for agency services, but a good free starting point (e.g. HWK business consultants for craft businesses).

Status: Guideline valid until 31 December 2026

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verify

ERDF/JTF technology funding – InnoPrämie 2021–2027

Official name: EFRE/JTF-Technologieförderung – InnoPrämie 2021 bis 2027 · SMWA / SAB

Grant for external R&D services to develop new/improved products, processes, services: incl. market and technology research, feasibility studies, engineering and DESIGN SERVICES, product tests, preparation for certification.

50% of eligible expenditure · Max. €40,000 per calendar year, up to 2 InnoPrämien per year; project duration usually max. 6 months

Suits: Strategy, Software and apps

  • Apply in the SAB funding portal; starting from receipt of application at own risk permitted
  • Service provider must not be affiliated/related; private-sector providers permitted
  • Not eligible: purchase of hardware/software, internal costs, sales and advertising, IP fees

Note: Only for innovation-related, R&D-type services (product/service innovation). Product design and market research fit; corporate design, advertising, websites usually not.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxony

ESF Plus – funding for start-up consulting (FRL GRB)

Official name: ESF Plus – Förderung von Gründungsberatungen (FRL GRB) · SMWA / SAB

Grant (fixed amount per consultant day) for pre-start-up consulting by self-employed consultants, incl. market development, market analysis, sales and marketing concept, strategy, financing

Fixed amount €400/consultant day (new business, max. 5 days) or €500/consultant day (succession, max. 10 days) · €2,000 (new business) or €5,000 (succession)

Suits: Strategy, Consulting

  • Company not yet founded, consulting contract not yet signed
  • Proof of relevant prior qualification for the start-up
  • Min. 2 consultant days; consulting usually within 6 months of the approval notice

Note: Marketing/brand strategy consulting for founders possible if the agency acts as a self-employed consultant; implementation (logo, website) not.

Status: Running; technical application freeze in the funding portal from 14 October to 11 November 2026

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verify

Micro-loan (MKD) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand)

Official name: Mikrodarlehen (MKD) – FRL Darlehen für den Mittelstand · SMWA / SAB

Loan for investments and working capital to start/consolidate self-employment

Up to 80% of expenditure; interest currently 2% p.a.; up to 6 yrs, 1 yr repayment-free; 20% own contribution · €5,000 to €30,000

Suits: Brand and logo, Website, Online shop, Print, Social media, SEO and online marketing, Film and photo, Trade fair presence, Software and apps, Web hosting

  • Viable business concept, professional/commercial qualification
  • No collateral
  • Start-up consulting itself cannot be financed

Note: Loan. Broadly usable, including for working capital; SAB explicitly mentions a professional presence in one of its case studies. Clarify with SAB beforehand which individual items are recognised.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verify

Free consulting: Regional Future Centre Saxony (Zukunftszentrum), DiAS AI consultation hour, IHK/HWK

Official name: Kostenfreie Beratung: Regionales Zukunftszentrum Sachsen, DiAS KI-Sprechstunde, IHK/HWK · BMAS/ESF Plus (Zukunftszentrum), Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen/Digitalagentur Sachsen (DiAS), chambers

Free, vendor-neutral consulting on digitalisation, processes, AI, skills development (Zukunftszentrum up to 5 days of in-depth consulting)

100% free of charge · —

Suits: Consulting, Automation, Training

  • No subsidy for external agency services

Note: Partly replaces the expired Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Chemnitz (funding ended 31 August 2026). Useful as a preliminary step to prepare funding applications (Digi-Z, INQA).

Status: Ongoing

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Currently closed or expired

Saxonycurrently closed

Market launch of innovative products, processes or services – grant ERDF 2021–2027

Official name: Markteinführung innovativer Produkte, Verfahren oder Dienstleistungen – Zuschuss EFRE 2021 bis 2027 · SMWA / SAB

Grant for the market launch of innovative products/processes/services: external design services, external marketing and sales services (conceptual only), one-off trade fair participation, standardisation/certification, IP rights, pilot series/prototype adaptation.

Up to 40% (medium-sized), 50% (small), 60% (small young enterprises < 5 years); +10% bonus for collective bargaining or sustainability · Eligible expenditure max. €200,000; minimum expenditure €5,000; max. duration 15 months

Suits: Brand and logo, Strategy, Trade fair presence

  • Only for genuine innovations
  • Apply before the project starts; start only after confirmation of receipt
  • De-minimis or Art. 22 AGVO (GBER)

Note: Content-wise the best fit for design, marketing concept and trade fair services around a new product, but currently not open for applications.

Status: Stopped: Saxony-wide application freeze since 17 July 2026 'until further notice'

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verifycurrently closed

Consulting support – business consulting (FRL Beratungsförderung)

Official name: Beratungsförderung – Betriebsberatung (FRL Beratungsförderung) · SMWA / SAB

Grant towards external consulting (min. 5 consultant days) on business management, incl. strategy, business model, domestic/foreign markets, digitalisation and information security, process optimisation, securing skilled staff; plus initial certification

50% (micro/small enterprises) or 40% (medium-sized) of standard unit costs of €800/consultant day (direct procedure) or €920/consultant day (with quality assurance) · Max. 20 consultant days in 12 months (= max. €8,000 or €9,200 grant for small enterprises); certification max. €8,000 eligible

Suits: Consulting, Strategy, IT security, Automation

  • Apply before starting (signing the contract = start)
  • No links between consultant and company
  • Excluded: advertising, software development, bookkeeping/contracts, ongoing consulting, funding advice

Note: Only the consulting/conceptual part (e.g. marketing and digitalisation strategy, information security concept, process/AI analysis) is eligible, no implementation. Check the current application status with SAB beforehand.

Status: Probably suspended: according to SAB, no new applications currently possible due to the budget situation

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonycurrently closed

Vocational further training – in-company and individual training (formerly 'Weiterbildungsscheck', ESF Plus)

Official name: Berufliche Weiterbildung – betriebliche und individuelle Weiterbildung (ehem. 'Weiterbildungsscheck', ESF Plus) · SMWA / SAB

Grant towards course fees for vocational further training (if reopened)

Usually 50% (flat rate) · Max. €4,500; minimum expenditure €700 net

Suits: Training, Coaching

  • Register/pay only after submitting the electronic application
  • No applications until a new budget decision

Note: Media/presentation training or AI courses would be conceivable as further training if reopened; currently not usable.

Status: Suspended: no funds in the 2025/2026 double budget

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verifycurrently closed

Regional growth funding guideline (RL RegioWachstum)

Official name: Förderrichtlinie Regionales Wachstum (RL RegioWachstum) · SMWA / SAB

Investment grant for fixed assets (buildings, machinery, intangible assets)

Up to 40% (Leipzig/Nordsachsen districts, De-minimis) · Minimum investment €20,000; max. implementation period 36 months

Suits: Software and apps

  • Apply before starting; start only at the date stated in the confirmation of receipt
  • Jobs retained for 3 years, 5-year earmarking period
  • Contribution to ecological and social sustainability

Note: Agency services only if they form part of an investment project as a capitalisable intangible asset (e.g. custom software) – case by case.

Status: Largely stopped: applications only possible in the districts of Leipzig and Nordsachsen

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verifycurrently closed

SME guideline (old) incl. e-business, trade fair funding, short/business consulting

Official name: Mittelstandsrichtlinie (alt) inkl. E-Business, Messeförderung, Kurz-/Betriebsberatung · SMWA / SAB

—

— · —

  • No longer open for applications

Note: For trade fairs, Saxony currently only offers joint stands of Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen (WFS; participants pay e.g. €800/m² incl. stand construction, formnext 2026). Ask WFS whether this includes a state subsidy. Germany-wide: Young Innovators.

Status: Expired or replaced: trade fairs/foreign trade part repealed

Checked: 6 May 2026Programme page ↗

Saxonyplease verifycurrently closed

European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Saxony

Official name: European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Sachsen · EU (Digital Europe) / federal government / consortium (incl. InfAI)

Free or discounted services (test before invest, brokerage, training) on AI, data, smart production

Free/discounted · —

Suits: Consulting, Automation, Training

  • No subsidy for external agency services

Note: Ask the hub directly about its current services beforehand.

Status: Unclear: official project term October 2022 – September 2025, current operation not confirmed

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wide programmes

Germany-wide

Funding for management consulting for SMEs (BAFA)

Official name: Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU (BAFA) · BMWE / BAFA (ESF Plus), applications via coordinating offices (Leitstellen)

Grant towards conceptual individual consulting on all economic, financial, HR and organisational questions of business management (max. 5 consulting days)

Saxony excl. Leipzig region: 80%; Leipzig region (City of Leipzig, Leipzig district, Nordsachsen) and western German states: 50% · Eligible costs max. €3,500 per consultation → max. €2,800 (80%) or €1,750 (50%); max. 2 consultations per year, 5 over the programme term

Suits: Consulting, Strategy, IT security, Automation

  • Apply online BEFORE consulting starts; sign contract only after the information letter from the Leitstelle (coordinating office)
  • Consultant must be registered with BAFA, mainly (>50% of revenue) management consulting, with QA system
  • Consulting report with analysis, weaknesses, specific recommendations for action

Note: Only consulting is eligible (e.g. marketing and sales strategy, digitalisation/AI strategy, recruitment concept, IT security concept), not implementation (design, website, campaign, film). Applications only until 31 December 2026.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wide

INQA coaching

Official name: INQA-Coaching · BMAS / ESF Plus; approval by DRV Knappschaft-Bahn-See; entry via INQA advice centres (IBS)

Grant for participatory coaching (agile method with lab team) on HR/work-organisation change needs related to digital transformation

80% of the maximum daily rate (€1,200 net/day); 20% own contribution · Max. 12 consulting days → max. €11,520 grant

Suits: Coaching, Consulting, Automation, Training

  • First INQA consultation at an IBS (initial advice centre), then INQA coaching voucher (early start permitted from voucher)
  • Only coaches from the pool authorised for INQA coaching, no subcontracting
  • Reimbursement principle: company pays upfront

Note: Suits AI/automation rollouts in terms of work organisation, leadership, employee participation – not technical implementation or marketing.

Status: Running

Checked: 22 June 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wideplease verify

ERP promotional loan for digitalisation (KfW 511/512) incl. ERP grant

Official name: ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung (KfW 511/512) inkl. ERP-Förderzuschuss · BMWE / BMF / KfW via your bank

Loan in 3 levels: Basis (hardware, standard software, cloud migration), LevelUp (process digitalisation, digital business models, implementation of a social media communication concept, digitalisation strategy, IT security concepts, further training), HighEnd (future technologies such as AI, big data).

Reduced-interest loan; grant 3% (LevelUp) or 5% (HighEnd) of the disbursed loan, level 1 without grant; optional 50% liability exemption · Loan up to €7.5 million (level 1) or €25 million (level 2/3); grant max. €200,000

Suits: Software and apps, Cloud, IT security, Automation, Online shop, Website, Social media, Training, Strategy, Web hosting

  • Apply via your bank before the project starts
  • KfW digitalisation check (mandatory for Basis level)
  • No refinancing/follow-up financing

Note: Broadest nationwide lever for implementation services, but a loan (grant share only 3–5%). Implementing a social media concept is explicitly named under LevelUp; whether a web shop or hosting is recognised is decided case by case by your bank and KfW.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wideplease verify

ERP start-up loan – StartGeld (KfW 067)

Official name: ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld (KfW 067) · BMWE / KfW via your bank

Loan for investments and working capital (e.g. software, marketing, website)

80% liability exemption for your bank; interest rate market-dependent · Up to €200,000 external financing need, of which max. €80,000 working capital

Suits: Brand and logo, Website, Online shop, Print, Social media, SEO and online marketing, Film and photo, Trade fair presence, Software and apps, Web hosting, Cloud

  • Apply at your bank before the project starts
  • Viable business concept

Note: Loan, not a grant. Have your bank confirm the terms before applying.

Status: Running

Checked: 1 February 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wide

Trade fair programme 'Young Innovators' – participation of young innovative companies in leading international trade fairs in Germany

Official name: Messeprogramm 'Young Innovators' – Teilnahme junger innovativer Unternehmen an internationalen Leitmessen in Deutschland · BMWE / BAFA (with AUMA and trade fair organisers)

Grant towards stand rent and stand construction on the BMWE joint stand (invoiced by the trade fair organiser)

60% for the first two participations, 50% from the third · Max. €7,500 per exhibitor and trade fair

Suits: Trade fair presence

  • Register with the trade fair organiser no later than 8 weeks before the fair starts, then apply to BAFA immediately
  • Only trade fairs on the annual BMWE list
  • Innovation must be described (own development)

Note: Only stand rent/construction of the joint stand – own stand design, print, film or trade fair marketing by the agency are NOT eligible.

Status: Running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wideplease verify

Mittelstand-Digital centres (free services)

Official name: Mittelstand-Digital Zentren (kostenfreie Angebote) · BMWE

Free workshops, demonstrators, practical projects, initial consulting (no cash grant)

100% free of charge · —

Suits: Consulting, Automation, IT security, Social media, SEO and online marketing, Online shop, Training

  • No grant for external service providers

Note: Which centres will start in 2027 is not yet known. Thematic centres (e.g. retail, crafts) partly run until 31 December 2026.

Status: Transition phase: existing network being gradually phased out until end of 2026

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wideplease verify

Cybersecurity Transfer Office for SMEs / CYBERsicher check and emergency help

Official name: Transferstelle Cybersicherheit im Mittelstand / CYBERsicher Check und Notfallhilfe · BMWE (Mittelstand-Digital funding priority), a BVMW project

Free events, materials, CYBERsicher check, emergency help (no cash grant)

100% free of charge · —

Suits: IT security

  • No grant for external IT security service providers

Note: There has been no standalone federal GRANT for IT security in SMEs since go-digital ended; IT security is covered via Digi-Z/Digi-D (SN), KfW 511/512 (LevelUp) or as a consulting topic (BAFA, Saxon business consulting).

Status: Running

Checked: 1 October 2026Programme page ↗

Germany-wideplease verify

Training funding for employees (§ 82 SGB III, 'Qualifizierungschancengesetz' – Qualification Opportunities Act)

Official name: Weiterbildungsförderung Beschäftigter (§ 82 SGB III, 'Qualifizierungschancengesetz') · Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency, employer service)

Grant towards course fees and wages during training

< 50 employees: up to 100% of course fees and up to 75% wage subsidy; 50–499: 50%/up to 50%; 500 or more: 25%; +5 percentage points with a collective or works agreement · No fixed upper limit

Suits: Training

  • Course > 120 hours
  • Provider and course AZAV-accredited
  • More than job-specific adaptation training

Note: Only usable if the agency (or a partner) is an AZAV-certified training provider offering courses > 120 h (e.g. AI/digital marketing qualification).

Status: Running

Checked: 1 April 2024Programme page ↗

How funding works with Trendtreiber

  1. Initial consultationWe clarify your project and check together which programmes fit in your federal state.
  2. Quote for the applicationYou receive a fixed-price quote and a project description that you can attach to your application.
  3. Application before orderYou submit the application yourself. You only place the order once the programme allows it – usually after approval.
  4. Delivery and proofWe deliver the project and provide invoices and documentation so that you can easily prove how the funds were used.

Trendtreiber in Saxony

Digitalisation in Dresden · Advertising in Dresden · Digitalisation in Leipzig · Advertising in Leipzig

Frequently asked questions about funding in Saxony

What funding is available in Saxony for digitalisation and marketing?

In Saxony, 8 state programmes that can subsidise services such as automation, brand and logo, cloud, consulting, film and photo, it security are currently open: Digitalisation grant ERDF 2021–2027 (FRL Digi-Z), Digitalisation loan (Digi-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand), Market launch loan (MEP-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand), Short consultation via chambers/associations (part of FRL Beratungsförderung), ERDF/JTF technology funding – InnoPrämie 2021–2027, ESF Plus – funding for start-up consulting (FRL GRB), Micro-loan (MKD) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand), Free consulting: Regional Future Centre Saxony (Zukunftszentrum), DiAS AI consultation hour, IHK/HWK. The federal programmes apply as well.

Is a new website or online shop funded in Saxony?

Yes, through Digitalisation grant ERDF 2021–2027 (FRL Digi-Z), Digitalisation loan (Digi-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand), Market launch loan (MEP-D) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand), Micro-loan (MKD) – FRL loans for SMEs (Mittelstand). Pay attention to the conditions, such as applying before placing the order.

Do I have to apply before placing the order?

In almost all programmes, yes. Talk to us before the project starts – you will get a quote and a project description for your application.

All information without guarantee, as of 13 October 2026. Funding programmes change often and budgets can run out. Only the guidelines and the decision of the funding body are binding. We are not a funding consultancy and do not submit applications for you; we provide the quote and documents for your application.

See all federal states and the funding finder →

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