Funding in Thuringia: grants for websites, marketing and digitalisation

InnoInvest Thuringia

Official name: InnoInvest Thüringen · Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)

According to TAB, digitalisation projects can be funded via InnoInvest

Ask TAB · Ask TAB

Suits: Software and apps, Automation

Note: Have TAB confirm the terms before applying. Probably for investment and innovation-oriented projects, not for marketing.

Status: running according to TAB

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Thuringia Consulting Guideline (business and technical consulting, ESF+)

Official name: Beratungsrichtlinie Thüringen (betriebswirtschaftliche und technische Beratungen, ESF+) · Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)

Intensive consulting on business and technical matters (standard unit costs)

50% of standard unit costs (€950 per consulting day incl. quality assurer) · up to 20 consulting days per case (approx. €9,500 grant)

Suits: Consulting, Strategy

• Application before consulting starts via TAB online portal
• Preliminary meeting with quality assurer recommended
• Consultants must meet the guideline's requirements

Note: Have TAB confirm the terms before applying; clarify with the quality assurer whether an agency's marketing or digital strategy consulting is recognised.

Status: running

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

Guideline on individual foreign trade promotion (Thuringia trade fair funding)

Official name: Richtlinie zur einzelbetrieblichen Außenwirtschaftsförderung (Messeförderung Thüringen) · Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)

Individual stands at trade fairs abroad and international trade fairs in Germany (AUMA), joint stands under the state trade fair programme; initiating contacts abroad (flat rate €1,600)

up to 50% (eligible expenditure plus flat 10%) · €10,000 per trade fair; up to 4 participations in recurring trade fairs

Suits: Trade fair presence

• Apply in good time before the trade fair (according to the guideline 8 weeks before)
• Minimum threshold €1,000

Note: Clarify with TAB beforehand whether stand construction and design by an agency are eligible, and have the exact application deadline confirmed as well.

Status: running – guideline valid 30 June 2024 to 31 December 2029

Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗