# Funding Programs Suitable for Berlin-Based Company

## Overview
This document lists funding programs that are **suitable for a Berlin-based company**. Your company can apply to these programs as they accept German companies or companies from anywhere in the world.

## ✅ Recommended Programs (Berlin-Based Company)

### 🎯 PRIORITY 1: German National Programs (Perfect Match)

#### 1. 🇩🇪 ZIM - Central Innovation Programme for SMEs
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Perfect match** - Permanent establishment in Germany (Berlin eligible)
- **Berlin bonus**: ✅ **Eastern regions bonus** - Berlin may qualify for +10% funding
- **Amount**: Up to €690k per project
- **Type**: Grants for R&D projects
- **Status**: Open, continuous intake
- **File**: `funding/national/germany/zim.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 2. 🇩🇪 DBU Environmental Project Funding
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Perfect match** - SMEs in Germany (Berlin eligible)
- **Focus**: Circular economy (#DBUcirconomy) - **Highly relevant for industrial symbiosis**
- **Amount**: €125-200k typical
- **Type**: Grants for innovative environmental projects
- **Status**: Open, continuous intake
- **File**: `funding/national/germany/dbu-funding.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 3. 🇩🇪 Berlin Innovative Program
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Perfect match** - Berlin location required
- **Type**: Loans with 70% liability exemption
- **Amount**: Varies by project
- **Status**: Open, continuous intake
- **File**: `funding/international/berlin-innovative.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

### 🎯 PRIORITY 2: EU Programs (German Companies Eligible)

#### 4. 🇪🇺 EIC Accelerator
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **German companies eligible** (EU member state)
- **Advantage**: **Single SME support** - no consortium required!
- **Amount**: Up to **€2.5M grant + €15M equity**
- **Type**: Grants and equity for breakthrough innovations
- **Status**: Open (short applications continuous)
- **File**: `funding/eu/eic-accelerator.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 5. 🇪🇺 Horizon Europe
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **German companies eligible** (EU member state)
- **Type**: Consortium projects (3+ partners) OR single SME (EIC Accelerator)
- **Amount**: €3-10M+ for collaborative projects
- **Status**: Check for 2026 calls
- **File**: `funding/eu/horizon-europe.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 6. 🇪🇺 EIT RawMaterials / Climate-KIC
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **German companies eligible** (EU member state)
- **Type**: Startup/SME support
- **Amount**: €50k-500k range
- **Focus**: Circular economy, raw materials, climate innovation
- **Status**: Open, varies by program
- **File**: `funding/eu/eit-initiatives.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 7. 🇪🇺 CBE JU 2026 (Circular Bio-based Europe)
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **German companies eligible** (EU member state)
- **Type**: Consortium projects
- **Focus**: **Industrial symbiosis** - highly relevant!
- **Amount**: €172M in 2025 call (closed), 2026 call expected
- **Status**: Expected Spring 2026
- **File**: `funding/eu/cbe-ju.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

### 🎯 PRIORITY 3: International Programs (Worldwide Acceptance)

#### 8. 🇨🇱 Startup Chile
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Perfect match** - Accepts startups worldwide!
- **Type**: Equity-free accelerator funding
- **Amount**: $15K-$75K USD (Build: $15K, Ignite: $25K, Growth: $75K)
- **Focus**: Tech-based startups, international entrepreneurs
- **Status**: Open, multiple intakes per year
- **File**: `funding/international/chile/startup-chile.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added
- **Special**: No Chile registration required, equity-free (no dilution!), 1,800+ startups from 85+ countries

#### 9. 🇦🇪 Dubai Holding Innovate
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Accepts companies worldwide**
- **Type**: Accelerator competition with pilot funding
- **Amount**: AED 850k prize pool (~€210k) for 3 winners
- **Status**: Open, cohort-based
- **File**: `funding/international/uae/dubai-holding-innovate.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

#### 10. 🇦🇪 Dubai Future Accelerators
- **Eligibility**: ✅ **Accepts companies worldwide**
- **Type**: Accelerator with pilot funding (0% equity)
- **Amount**: Pilot funding averages hundreds of thousands USD
- **Status**: Open, semi-annual cohorts
- **File**: `funding/international/uae/dubai-future-accelerators.md`
- **Checklist**: ✅ Added

## ❌ Programs NOT Suitable (Country-Specific Requirements)

The following programs were initially selected but are **NOT suitable** because they require companies from specific countries:

- ❌ Denmark - Innobooster (requires Danish CVR number)
- ❌ Sweden - Vinnova (requires Swedish company)
- ❌ Switzerland - Innosuisse (requires Swiss company)
- ❌ Belgium - VLAIO R&D (requires Flemish location)
- ❌ Austria - FFG (requires Austrian company)

## Summary

### For Berlin-Based Company:
1. **Start with German programs**: ZIM, DBU, Berlin Innovative (perfect match, no location issues)
2. **EIC Accelerator**: Excellent option - single SME, no consortium, large funding
3. **EU programs**: All accept German companies as EU member state
4. **CBE JU 2026**: Highly relevant for industrial symbiosis, Spring 2026

### Action Items:
- ✅ **ZIM** - Best match, can apply immediately (continuous intake)
- ✅ **DBU** - Circular economy focus, perfect for industrial symbiosis
- ✅ **Berlin Innovative** - Berlin-specific loans
- ✅ **EIC Accelerator** - Single SME, short applications anytime
- ✅ **EIT Programs** - Startup/SME support, check specific deadlines
- ✅ **CBE JU 2026** - Watch for Spring 2026 call announcement
- ✅ **Startup Chile** - Equity-free funding, worldwide acceptance, perfect for international expansion
- ✅ **Dubai Programs** - International accelerators with pilot funding opportunities

All recommended programs have checklists added with detailed requirements, documents, and application steps.