"Go Digital" is a funding program of the Free State of Saxony, the small and medium-sized Supporting companies (SMEs) in digitization. The program is implemented by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport and the Saxon Development Bank - Development Bank - (SAB).
The goals of the program are diverse: On the one hand, SMEs should increase their productivity and efficiency through the use of digital technologies and thus improve their competitiveness. On the other hand, digitalization should also open up new business models and opportunities. In addition, digitization should also help to secure and create jobs.
All in all, "Go Digital" should help ensure that Saxony remains economically successful in the future and is able to meet the challenges of digital transformation.
Who can take part in the Go Digital in Saxony program and what requirements must be met?
Eligible to participate in the "Go Digital" program in Saxony are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft businesses that have their registered office or a permanent establishment in Saxony and meet the following requirements:
• The company employs less than 100 people.
• The annual turnover or the annual balance sheet total of the company does not exceed 20 million euros.
• The company is not in difficulty according to the EU guidelines on state aid in the form of rescue and restructuring aid.
• The company has not yet received any funding for consulting or implementing a digitization project.
Furthermore, the companies must have a concrete project in the field of digitization for which they would like to apply for funding. This can involve, for example, the introduction of digital accounting, the optimization of business processes through the use of IT systems or the creation of your own website.
Finally, companies must also be willing to make their own contribution. The funding amounts to a maximum of 50% of the eligible expenses, the rest must be financed by the company itself.
How does the consultation process work as part of "Go Digital" in Saxony?
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Saxony takes place in several steps:
• Application: The company applies for funding as part of the "Go Digital" program at the Saxon Development Bank (SAB).
• Selection of consulting company: The company chooses an approved one
Consulting company that provides advice on one or more of the three subject areas of the program (digitized business processes, digital market development, IT security).
• Execution of the consultation: The consulting company conducts the consultation in the company. The digitization potential of the company is determined and recommendations for the implementation of digital technologies are given.
• Implementation of the digitization project: The company implements the measures developed as part of the consultation.
• Reimbursement of consulting costs: The company submits a request for reimbursement of the consulting costs to the SAB. The funding rate is up to 50% of the eligible expenses, but no more than 20,000 euros.
How long does the funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Saxony last and what steps must be taken to receive funding?
The funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Saxony usually takes several weeks to a few months and includes several steps:
• Application: The company applies for funding as part of the "Go Digital" program at the Saxon Development Bank (SAB). For this purpose, certain forms must be filled out and documents submitted, e.g., a description of the planned digitization project and confirmation of the selection of the consulting company.
• Selection of consulting company: The company chooses an approved one
Consulting company that provides advice on one or more of the three subject areas of the program (digitized business processes, digital market development, IT security).
• Consulting phase: The consulting company carries out the consulting in the company. The digitization potential of the company is determined and recommendations for the implementation of digital technologies are given.
• Implementation phase: The company implements the measures developed during the consultation.
• Claim for reimbursement: The company submits a claim for reimbursement of the consulting costs to the SAB. The funding rate is up to 50% of the eligible expenses, but no more than 20,000 euros.
In order to receive funding as part of "Go Digital", the requirements and conditions of the guidelines of the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport for the promotion of digitization measures as part of the "Go Digital" initiative must be met. The application can be submitted online via the SAB funding portal.
What other programs are there to promote digitization in Saxony and how do they differ from "Go Digital"?
In addition to the "Go Digital" program, there are other funding programs for digitization in Saxony. Here are some of them:
1. Digital Bonus Saxony: The funding program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers and supports investments in digital transformation. The funding rate is up to 50% of the eligible expenses, but no more than EUR 50,000. In contrast to "Go Digital", there is no obligation to advise with the digital bonus Saxony.
2. Grinderdigital Sachsen: The program supports founders in Saxony in the implementation of digital business models. The funding can be used for consulting services and investments in IT infrastructure and software. In contrast to "Go Digital", the program is aimed specifically at founders.
3. Innovation and Technology Promotion Saxony (SAB): The SAB offers a variety of funding programs to support companies in the
Development and introduction of innovative technologies. The funding rate and funding conditions vary depending on the program. In contrast to "Go Digital", the focus of funding here is not exclusively on digitization, but also includes other fields of technology.
The programs differ in their target groups, funding conditions and funding goals.
What is the difference between applying for Go Digital in Saxony and other federal states in Germany?
The "Go Digital" program is not only used in Saxony, but also in others
Federal states of Germany offered. Essentially, there are no differences between the various federal states when applying for the program.
This means that the application requirements and the application procedure are identical in every federal state.
In principle, the same requirements for participation in the program apply in all federal states. For example, the companies must be based in Germany and employ fewer than 100 people. The type of consulting services and the amount of funding are the same in all federal states.
However, there may be slight differences in the implementation of the program as it is coordinated by the respective state governments and economics ministries. For example, there may be different contact persons for the program or regional focal points for the consulting services.
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Saxony, Germany?
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Saxony, Germany:
1. Amount of funding: The funding within the framework of "Go Digital" is up to 50% of the consulting costs, up to a maximum of 16,500 euros. This means that the companies have to bear half of the eligible consulting costs themselves.
2. Funding period: The funding period is a maximum of six months. Within this period, the consulting services must be completed and the final report must be submitted.
3. Consulting topics: The consulting topics within the framework of "Go Digital" include the introduction or optimization of IT systems, the development of digital business models, the use of cloud computing or the improvement of IT security.
4. Consulting partners: The consulting partners within the framework of "Go Digital" are consulting companies that are specially accredited for the program and specialize in digitization topics. Businesses can choose from a list of consulting firms that are eligible for the program.
5. Application procedure: The application process for "Go Digital" is online and can be submitted via the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. After the application has been checked, the company will be informed about the approval for funding and can then select a consulting partner.
6. Target group: The "Go Digital" initiative is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as craft businesses and freelance health professionals in Saxony.
7. Obligation to advise: There is an obligation to advise as part of "Go Digital". This means that companies must seek advice from a consulting partner specifically approved for the program before receiving funding.
However, companies should note that timely application and the Compliance with the funding conditions are prerequisites for successful funding.
What documents are required for submission and can applications for the "Go Digital" program in Saxony be rejected?
The following documents are required to submit an application for funding as part of the "Go Digital" program in Saxony:
1. Application form: The application for funding must be submitted online via the electronic application portal of the Saxon Development Bank - Development Bank (SAB). The corresponding application form can be downloaded there.
2. Consulting offer: The consulting offer must be prepared by an authorized consulting service provider and contain detailed information about the planned consultation. In addition, the offer must contain a statement of costs and a description of the planned measures and goals.
3. Company data: The company data must be entered in the application form, such as e.g., company name, address, size and legal form.
4. Tax number: The company must provide its tax number.
In addition, further documents may be required, depending on the specific requirements of the SAB in individual cases.
The application for the "Go Digital" program in Saxony can be rejected if the submitted documents are incomplete or the funding conditions are not met. Another reason for a rejection can be that the budget of the funding program has already been exhausted. It is therefore important that companies submit all required documents completely and correctly and comply with the funding conditions.
Information about the donor "Go Digital" in Saxony?
The sponsor of the "Go Digital" program in Saxony is the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport (SMWA). The funds are administered and handed out by the Saxon Development Bank - Development Bank - (SAB). The SMWA is responsible for the strategic direction of the program and provides the funds, while the SAB organizes and implements the funding process.
The program is also co-financed by funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim is to advance the digitization of small and medium-sized companies in Saxony and thus strengthen the competitiveness and innovative power of the Saxon economy.
Sources:
https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Digitale-Welt/foerderprogramm-go-digital.html
https://www.ihk.de/chemnitz/innovation/digitale-wirtschaft/foerderung-digitalisierung-4174542
https://www.24pm.de/go-digital/
https://www.digitalmanufaktur.com/blog/finanzierung-digitalprojekte
https://www.innovation-beratung-foerderung.de/INNO/Navigation/DE/Home/home.html
https://foerdershop.de/foerderung-digitalisierung-in-sachsen/
https://zukunftszentrum-sachsen.de/aktuelles/foerderprogramm-go-digital-bis-2024-verlaengert/
https://www.sab.sachsen.de/partner
