# Berlin Innovative Program - Loans for Innovation

## Overview
The Berlin Innovative program offers loans to innovative companies in Berlin for investments, working capital, and business start-ups. It includes a 70% liability exemption for commercial banks and is supported by EU initiatives such as InnovFin and EFSI to improve access to finance.

## Managing Body
Berlin Senate / Berlin Investment Bank (IBB) with EU support (InnovFin, EFSI)

## Funding Type
Loans for innovative companies with liability exemption support

## Funding Amount
- Loans for investments, working capital, and business start-ups
- 70% liability exemption for commercial banks
- Supported by EU InnovFin and EFSI initiatives
- Specific amounts vary by project

## Deadlines
- **STATUS: OPEN** (continuous program)
- Continuous intake
- Check [Berlin funding finder](https://www.funding-finder.org/) for current details

## Eligibility
- **Berlin-based companies** (✅ Perfect match for your location)
- Start-ups, SMEs, smaller mid-caps
- Freelancers (if meeting specific criteria)
- Must meet innovation or digitization criteria
- Projects must demonstrate innovation or digitization

## Thematic Focus
- Innovation projects
- Digitization initiatives
- Business start-ups with innovative focus
- Investments and working capital for innovative companies

## Relevance to City Resource Graph
- Funding for Berlin-based industrial symbiosis platform development
- Support for innovative digital solutions
- Working capital for startup/growth phase
- Investment funding for platform development
- **Perfect match**: Berlin location requirement

## Links
- [Berlin Funding Finder](https://www.funding-finder.org/en/funding/berlin-innovative-loans-companies)
- [IBB Berlin](https://www.ibb.de/) - Investment Bank Berlin

## Application Checklist

### Pre-Application Requirements
- [ ] Verify Berlin company location (✅ Required)
- [ ] Confirm company type:
  - [ ] Start-up OR
  - [ ] SME OR
  - [ ] Smaller mid-cap OR
  - [ ] Freelancer (if meeting criteria)
- [ ] Confirm project meets innovation or digitization criteria
- [ ] Determine funding need:
  - [ ] Investments OR
  - [ ] Working capital OR
  - [ ] Business start-up funding

### Required Documents
- [ ] Company registration documents (Berlin)
- [ ] Proof of Berlin location
- [ ] Business plan with innovation/digitization focus
- [ ] Project description demonstrating innovation
- [ ] Financial statements
- [ ] Budget breakdown for loan amount
- [ ] CVs of key team members
- [ ] Proof of innovation/digitization (patents, prototypes, etc.)

### Application Steps
1. [ ] Review [Berlin funding finder](https://www.funding-finder.org/)
2. [ ] Check IBB Berlin website for current application process
3. [ ] Prepare business plan and project description
4. [ ] Contact IBB Berlin for consultation
5. [ ] Submit application through IBB Berlin
6. [ ] Note: Continuous intake allows flexible timing

### Project Alignment Checklist
- [ ] Project demonstrates innovation or digitization
- [ ] Shows industrial symbiosis/circular economy relevance (if applicable)
- [ ] Demonstrates Berlin economic impact
- [ ] Includes clear business case and market potential

### Post-Submission
- [ ] Save submission confirmation
- [ ] Monitor for decision timeline updates
- [ ] Prepare for potential bank consultations
- [ ] Have additional documentation ready if requested

## Application Tips
- **Perfect match for Berlin-based companies** - location requirement exactly matches your company
- Emphasize innovation and digitization aspects
- Leverage EU support (InnovFin, EFSI) in application
- Consider liability exemption benefits
- Contact IBB Berlin for consultation before applying