"Go Digital" is a funding program of the state of Hessen to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digitization. The program is financed and implemented by the Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport and Housing.
The aim of the program is to support SMEs in Hessen in digitization and to strengthen their competitiveness. For this purpose, consulting services in the areas of IT security, digitization of business processes and online marketing are funded. In this way, companies should be enabled to face the challenges of digitization and to optimize their business processes.
The program is aimed at SMEs based in Hesse that are active in industry, trade, commerce or the service sector. The companies can apply for funding in the form of grants, which can amount to up to 50 percent of the consulting costs. The maximum funding amount is 10,000 euros.
Who can take part in the Go Digital program in Hesse and what requirements must be met?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Hessen can take part in the "Go Digital" program in Hessen. The industry in which the company operates is irrelevant. SMEs are defined according to the recommendation of the EU Commission of May 6, 2003 (2003/361/EG)..
The exact requirements for participation in the program are:
• The company must not employ more than 100 people.
• The annual turnover must not exceed EUR 20 million or the annual balance sheet total must not exceed EUR 20 million.
• The company must have been in the market for at least one year.
• The applicant must have his registered office or a place of business in Hessen.
• The company may not receive more than two grants from the program "Go Digital" received within three years
How does the consultation process work as part of "Go Digital" in Hessen?
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Hesse takes place in three steps:
• Application: Companies interested in receiving advice as part of the "Go Digital" program must submit an application. To do this, they fill out an online form and send it to the consulting firm of their choice. The Consulting firms are approved by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and listed on the program's website.
• Consulting: The consulting firm carries out an analysis of the company's digitization needs and draws up a consulting plan. The topics of IT security, digital business processes and online marketing are covered. The consultation is individually tailored to the company and usually lasts two to three days.
• Invoicing: After completing the consultation, the consulting company issues an invoice to the company. The company submits the invoice and the advisory report to the Hessen Economic and Infrastructure Bank (WI-Bank). WI-Bank checks the documents and pays out the subsidy of up to 50 percent of the consulting costs.
How long does the funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Hesse last and what steps must be taken to receive funding?
The funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Hesse usually takes about six to eight weeks. The exact steps companies need to take in order to receive a grant are:
1. Application: The company completes the application form and submits it to a consulting firm that is accredited under the Go Digital program. The application form is available on the program website.
2. Consulting: The consulting company analyzes the company's digitization needs and draws up a consulting plan. The advice covers the topics of IT security, digital business processes and online marketing.
3. Cost acceptance confirmation: The company must issue and Obtain confirmation of assumption of costs from the Hessen Economic and Infrastructure Bank (WI Bank). To do this, the company submits the advisory plan to WI-Bank.
4. Consultation: The consulting company carries out the consultation.
5. Final report: The consulting company prepares a final report containing the results of the consultation and the recommendations for the company.
6. Invoicing: The company submits the final report and the invoice from the consulting company to WI-Bank. WI-Bank checks the documents and pays out the subsidy of up to 50 percent of the consulting costs.
What other programs are there to promote digitization in Hesse and how do they differ from "Go Digital"?
In Hessen there are several programs to promote digitization. Here are some examples:
1. "Digitalbonus Hessen": This program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Hessen. It offers a promotion of up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing digital technologies, software or services. In contrast to "Go Digital", however, this is not about advice, but about direct financial support for the purchase of digitization solutions.
2. "Hessen InnoStartBonus": This program supports innovative start-ups and young companies with up to 100,000 euros for investments in technology innovations. It is aimed at companies that are still in the start-up or growth phase.
3. "Digital Pakt Schule Hessen": This program promotes digitization in schools in Hessen. It provides a total of 182 million euros to improve the digital infrastructure and to purchase digital teaching and learning materials.
Compared to "Go Digital", these programs are aimed at different target groups and have different focuses. While "Go Digital" focuses on advising SMEs on digital business processes and online marketing, "Digitalbonus Hessen" aims to promote the acquisition of digital technologies and services. The "Hessen InnoStartBonus" is aimed specifically at innovative start-ups, while the "Digital Pakt Schule Hessen" is aimed at digitizing schools..
What is the difference between applying for Go Digital in Hessen and other federal states in Germany?
"Go Digital" is a funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), which is intended to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to finance their digitization projects. The program is implemented in all federal states of Germany, but the specific conditions and funding opportunities may vary slightly in each federal state.
In Hessen, the Go-Digital program is implemented by the Darmstadt Regional Council. The conditions and requirements for funding are similar to other federal states, but the funding rates and maximum limits may differ depending on the federal state. In Hessen, for example, SMEs can receive up to 50% of the consulting costs and up to €16,500 for the implementation of digitization projects.
However, the exact details may vary from state to state, so it is advisable to check the specific information for the particular state in which the company is based.
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Hessen, Germany?
Here are some important details about the initiative:
• Target group: The initiative is aimed at small and medium-sized companies from all sectors, including trade, crafts, industry, services and tourism.
• Support offers: Go Digital offers SMEs support in the form of free advice and training by specially trained experts. The consultations can take place either on site or online and cover topics such as e-commerce, online marketing, IT security and digital business processes.
• Funding: SMEs can receive funding of up to 50% of the consulting costs, which is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The maximum funding is 16,500 euros.
• Application: The application is submitted online via the funding portal of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). After the application is approved, SMEs can select a consultant from the list of authorized consulting firms and start consulting.
• Duration: The Go Digital initiative runs until the end of 2023.
Overall, the "Go Digital" initiative is intended to support SMEs in digitizing their business processes, opening up new business opportunities and thus remaining competitive in the long term.
What documents are required for submission and can applications for the "Go Digital" program in Hesse be rejected?
The following documents are required to submit an application for funding as part of the "Go Digital" program in Hesse:
1. A completed application form: The application form is available online and must be fully completed and submitted.
2. Evidence of the legal form of the company: This is a document proving the type of company structure (e.g.
Excerpt from the commercial register, business registration or articles of association).
3. A current company balance sheet: The balance sheet should not be more than two years old and should show the current status of the company.
4. An offer of advice: The offer of advice should describe in detail which measures are to be implemented within the framework of the program and how the costs for this are divided.
An application for the "Go Digital" program in Hesse can be rejected if the company does not meet the requirements of the initiative or if the documents submitted are incomplete or do not meet the specifications. In addition, a rejection can occur if the company has already received other public funding for the same measures or if the available funds of the program have been exhausted.
Information about the financier "Go Digital" in Hesse?
The sponsor for the "Go Digital" program in Hesse is the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The BMWi provides funds to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing their digitization strategy. The program is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF).
The BMWi works closely with the federal states to coordinate the implementation of the program and to ensure that the funds are used effectively. In Hesse, the program is coordinated and implemented by the Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport and Housing.
The "Go Digital" program is part of the Federal Government's Digital Strategy 2025, which aims to make Germany the leading digital location in Europe. The program is intended to help strengthen the competitiveness of the German economy, secure jobs and advance the digital transformation in all areas of society.
Sources:
https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Digitale-Welt/foerderprogramm-go-digital.html
https://www.lets-go-digital.de/digitalisierung-rhein-main-hessen.html
https://digitales.hessen.de/foerderprogramme/unternehmensfoerderungen
https://www.technologieland-hessen.de/news/40020
https://www.wibank.de/wibank/diewibank
https://digitale-schule.hessen.de/digitale-infrastruktur-und-verwaltung/digitalpakt
