"Go Digital" is a program of the Free State of Bavaria that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in successfully implementing their digitization projects.
The program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Bavarian companies and to make it easier for them to go digital. "Go Digital" offers free advice on the topics of IT security, digital market development and the introduction of digital business processes.
The companies are supported by specially trained consultants who develop and implement individual digitization strategies together with the companies. The program can also provide financial support for specific digitization measures.
In addition, companies can apply for funding of up to 50 percent of the investment costs for the implementation of digitization measures.
All in all, "Go Digital" is intended to help Bavarian SMEs remain competitive in the long term and to be able to open up new business areas through the use of digital technologies.
How does the consultation process work as part of "Go Digital" in Bavaria?
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Bavaria usually takes place in three steps:
• Make contact: The interested company contacts you
Consulting firm participating in the "Go Digital" program offering a free initial consultation.
• Analysis and concept development: As part of the initial consultation, the company's need for advice is determined and a rough concept for the implementation of the digitization measures is drawn up. If the company wants to continue the cooperation, a detailed project plan will be drawn up.
• Implementation and support: In the implementation phase, the company puts the concept into practice together with the consulting company. The consulting company accompanies the process and provides assistance with questions and problems.
During the entire consulting process, the consulting services are funded 50% by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and 30% by the Free State of Bavaria. The maximum funding is 16,500 euros per company. This means that the company itself has to bear 20% of the consulting costs.
How long does the funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Bavaria last and what steps must be taken to receive funding?
The funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Bavaria usually takes about four to six weeks. However, the exact duration depends on various factors, such as the completeness and correctness of the application documents and the workload of the funding agency.
In order to receive funding as part of "Go Digital" in Bavaria, the following steps must be taken:
• Initial consultation: The company contacts an authorized
Consulting firm contact and lets go to the
Advise on digitization options. The initial consultation is free.
• Application: If the company decides to continue the consulting project, it submits an application for funding to the granting authority. For this purpose, the company must submit various documents such as the project plan, the statement of costs and the business registration.
• Approval: If the application for funding is approved, the company receives approval for the amount of funding and the funding period. The company can now start implementing the digitization measures.
• Implementation: The company implements the planned measures together with the consulting company. The consulting company accompanies the company and provides assistance with questions and problems.
• Proof of use: After completion of the project, the company must submit a proof of use to the granting authority in order to finally receive the funding. The proof of use contains a summary of the measures carried out and the costs.
What other programs to promote digitization are there in Bavaria and how do they differ from "Go Digital"?
In addition to the "Go Digital" program, there are other programs in Bavaria to promote digitization. Here are some examples:
• Bavarian digital bonus: The Bavarian digital bonus is a subsidy for small and medium-sized companies and craft businesses that want to invest in digital technologies. The funding is up to 10,000 euros per company and includes, for example, investments in software, hardware or IT security.
• Bayern Digital: Bayern Digital is a supporting program of the Bavarian
State government to promote digitization in Bavaria. It includes various measures such as the expansion of the broadband infrastructure, the promotion of research and development in the field of digitization or the promotion of start-ups.
• SME 4.0 Competence Center Augsburg: The SME 4.0
Competence Center Augsburg offers free advice and qualification for small and medium-sized companies on topics such as digitization, industry 4.0 or security.
The programs differ in terms of target groups, the type and amount of funding and the services offered. "Go Digital", for example, is aimed specifically at small and medium-sized companies and promotes consulting services for implementation
concrete digitization measures. The Digitalbonus Bayern, on the other hand, promotes investments in digital technologies, while Bayern Digital offers a comprehensive
Framework program to promote digitization in Bavaria. The middle class
4.0 Competence Center Augsburg offers free advice and training specifically for small and medium-sized companies in the Augsburg region.
What is the difference between applying for Go Digital in Bavaria and other federal states in Germany?
The "Go Digital" program is a nationwide funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), which is implemented in cooperation with the federal states. Although the program is available in all federal states, the application procedures and funding rates may differ slightly in the individual federal states.
In Bavaria, the "Go Digital" program is carried out by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and supported by authorized consulting companies.
In other federal states, other institutions are responsible for implementing the program, e.g. the chambers of industry and commerce or the chambers of crafts. And the application process may look slightly different, different funding may also be offered. For example, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia offers funding of up to 50,000 euros for the implementation of digitization projects as part of the "Digitalbonus. NRW".
The exact conditions for applying for funding under the "Go Digital" program can therefore vary slightly depending on the federal state.
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Bavaria, Germany?
I am happy to share more important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Bavaria, Germany:
1. Objective: "Go Digital" aims to support small and medium-sized companies in Bavaria with digitization. Specifically, the initiative is intended to help strengthen the competitiveness of companies and secure jobs.
2. Amount of funding: The funding within the framework of "Go Digital" is up to 50 percent of the consulting costs, up to a maximum of 16,500 euros per company.
3. Eligible consulting services: Become part of "Go Digital".
Consultancy services that support companies in digitizing their business processes. These include, for example, the introduction of e-commerce solutions, the digitization of accounting processes or the optimization of IT security.
4. Authorized consulting firms: The consulting services within the scope of "Go Digital" may only be provided by authorized consulting firms. A list of authorized companies can be found on the initiative's website.
5. Target group: The initiative is aimed at small and medium-sized companies based in Bavaria. It doesn't matter what industry the company is in.
6. Application procedure: The application for funding as part of "Go Digital" can be submitted online. To do this, various documents such as a project plan and a cost statement must be uploaded. After the application has been reviewed, a decision will be made on whether to grant funding.
7. Duration: The "Go Digital" initiative is scheduled to run for three years and will end in 2022. It is not yet known whether an extension is planned.
8. Success stories: Various
Success stories presented to show how companies can benefit from digitization. These examples range from the introduction of digital accounting to the optimization of customer communication through chatbots.
All in all, the "Go Digital" initiative helps to advance digitization in small and medium-sized companies in Bavaria and thus strengthen the competitiveness of companies.
What documents are required for submission and can applications for the "Go Digital" program in Bavaria be rejected?
To submit an application under the "Go Digital" program in Bavaria, companies must provide a number of documents, including:
- A brief description of the company and its products or services.
- A description of the consulting needs and the planned consulting services.
- A self-declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria.
- An offer from the consulting company with a detailed description of the planned consulting services and measures.
- A copy of the extract from the commercial register or a comparable entry showing that the company is entered in the commercial register.
- A copy of the company's annual accounts or most recent annual report.
However, there may be differences in the requirements depending on the federal state and funding program. It is therefore advisable to find out in detail about the specific requirements and funding criteria of the program in advance.
Yes, it is possible that applications for funding under the "Go Digital" program in Bavaria will be rejected if the application documents are incomplete or do not meet the requirements, or if the funding criteria are not met. It is therefore important that companies proceed carefully when submitting their application and submit all the required documents in full and on time.
Information about the donor "Go Digital" in Bavaria:
The sponsor for the "Go Digital" initiative in Bavaria is the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
The BMWi initiated the program and also provides the financial means for it. Funding as part of "Go Digital" is provided by the BMWi's "Promotion of Entrepreneurial Know-How" program, which supports companies in various areas, including digitization.
Funding for "Go Digital" comes from the European Regional Development Fund
(EFRE) and from the federal budget. In Bavaria, the program is implemented by Bayern Innovativ GmbH, which acts on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.
Quellen:
https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Digitale-Welt/foerderprogramm-go-digital.html
https://www.bayern-innovativ.de/de/seite/foerderprogramm-go-digital-verlaengert
https://www.arsnavigandi.de/home/go-digital
https://www.digitalbonus.bayern
https://www.innovation-beratung-foerderung.de/INNO/Navigation/DE/go-digital/go-digital.html
