Go Digital is a nationwide initiative with the aim of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their digital transformation. Brandenburg, one of the 16 federal states of Germany, also participates in this initiative and supports eligible SMEs in the state.
The Go Digital program in Brandenburg is managed by the Brandenburg State Investment Bank (ILB), the state's central development bank. The ILB is responsible for processing applications and awarding grants to eligible SMEs.
The program in Brandenburg supports eligible SMEs in three areas: online marketing, digitized business processes and IT security. The grants cover up to 50% of the costs that SMEs incur when implementing digital solutions in these areas, with a maximum funding limit of 16,500 euros.
To be eligible for the Go Digital program in Brandenburg, SMEs must have a registered office or permanent establishment in the state and have been in business for at least 12 months. SMEs must also have fewer than 100 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of less than EUR 20 million.
The program in Brandenburg runs for three years and applications are possible all year round. The processing time for applications is about four weeks.
The documents required for the application include a business registration certificate, a copy of the company's latest annual accounts and a project plan detailing the digital solutions that the SME intends to implement.
Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant. Applications can be submitted throughout the year if the available budget is not exhausted. The decision on funding is usually made within six weeks of receipt of the application.
Required documents for the application:
The documents required for an application as part of the "Go Digital" program in Brandenburg may vary depending on the type of project applied for. In general, however, the following documents must be submitted:
The completed application forms.
A short description of the planned project including objectives and expected results.
A representation of the initial situation and the actual state
A description of the planned measures and the planned procedure
A rough project schedule.
An overview of the planned costs including a cost breakdown
A brief description of the company and its fields of activity
If necessary, further evidence such as references or concepts
However, the exact requirements and details of the documents can be viewed on the website of the competent authority in the state of Brandenburg (e.g., investment bank of the state of Brandenburg).
Information about the sponsor:
The sponsor for the "Go Digital" program in Brandenburg is the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Energy of the State of Brandenburg. Financing is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and state funds.
The "Go Digital" initiative in Brandenburg is funded by the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Energy of the State of Brandenburg. The aim of the program is to support small and medium-sized companies in Brandenburg in digitizing their business processes. Advice, training, and individual support are offered for this purpose.
The exact details and requirements for funding can be found on the official website of the program. All the documents required for the application are also listed there.
Applications for the "Go Digital" program in Brandenburg can be rejected for various reasons, such as incomplete or incorrect application documents, missing requirements for funding or the funds have already been exhausted. It is important that applicants carefully review all funding requirements and conditions and ensure their applications are complete and accurate to have a better chance of approval.
The duration of the "Go Digital" scholarship in Brandenburg is a maximum of 6 months.
In Brandenburg there are other funding programs and initiatives for companies and start-ups that deal with digitization, innovation, and internationalization. Some examples are:
Digital Bonus Brandenburg: A funding program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brandenburg who want to invest in digital technologies. The digital bonus covers up to 50% of the eligible expenses, up to a maximum of 10,000 euros per applicant.
Brandenburg Innovation Voucher: A funding program for SMEs in Brandenburg that want to develop innovative products, processes, or services. The innovation voucher covers up to 80% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 15,000 euros per project.
Start-up offensive Pro Brandenburg: An initiative of the state of Brandenburg to promote company start-ups and successors. The start-up offensive offers advice, qualification, and financial support for prospective founders.
Brandenburger Aufbaubank: A development bank of the state of Brandenburg that supports companies and people starting up their own business with financial aid and funding programs. The Brandenburger Aufbaubank offers, among other things, loans, guarantees, grants, and participations.
There are other programs and initiatives in Brandenburg that can be of different relevance depending on the industry, size, and location of the company. Further information on the programs mentioned and other funding opportunities can be found on the websites of the respective providers.
Sources:
https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Digitale-Welt/foerderprogramm-go-digital.html
https://www.ihk.de/potsdam/ihk-service-und-beratung/digital-unternehmen/foerdermoeglichkeiten-3971256
https://www.zukunftszentrum-brandenburg.de/navi/go-digital/
https://www.ilb.de/de/wirtschaft/zuschuesse/brandenburgischer-innovationsgutschein-big/
