Service for business start-ups
We help you to put your business idea into practice!
Do you have a good idea that you want to turn into a business? Set sail for success and relay your questions about setting up your company to the Dahme-Spreewald Economic Development Agency. If you are not quite sure about the direction you want to take, we will happily point you in the right direction. We will accompany you through all the necessary steps – from the idea, planning, financing and funding opportunities through to implementation.
As you work towards standing on your own two feet, we will be at your side with a comprehensive range of services. These include the “Lotsendienst” mentoring service and the small loan programme of the Dahme-Spreewald district as well as the advisory support from the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). At our Technology and Start-up Centre Wildau (TGZ) you will also find affordable office and workspace for your start-up and will be able to meet other company founders.
A dedicated contact person will be there for you throughout the entire start-up process. In special cases we will arrange contact with our network partners.
Your point of contact
Mentoring service of the Dahme-Spreewald district
Free advice to get your start-up ideas up and running
The Dahme-Spreewald district’s “Lotsendienst” mentoring service offers free, expert support for the implementation of start-up ideas and company successions. Anyone who is unemployed, at risk of unemployment or indeed still in employment in Brandenburg can make use of the mentoring service. The basis of the mentoring service is the joint directive of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family and the Ministry of Economics and Energy for the Promotion of Business Start-ups and Business Succession in the State of Brandenburg through Qualification and Coaching Measures in the EU Funding Period 2014-2020 (Business Start-up Directive). The directive has been extended to 31 December 2021.
We work with you to lay the foundation for your success at your own speed.
Step 1: Pre-formation phase
The requirements of the person behind the business start-up are established and the status of the start-up preparations are discussed at a four-day development centre meeting. We carry out training on decision-making – from the idea to the decision – as well as an initial analysis of the sustainability of the start-up project.
Step 2: Professional support
Experienced and qualified consultants and trainers from the start-up network of the “Lotsendienst” mentoring service help business start-ups in Brandenburg successfully stand on their own two feet.
Do you want to set up your own business in the state of Brandenburg or take over a company? The best thing to do is to call us now!
All information can be downloaded here as a compact flyer:
Since June 2021, you can also find our services for founders in bundled form on Germany's new startup platform, which systematically guides you through the startup process. We have summarized all the important information and contact data for you on our profile. We also inform you there about upcoming events and competitions on the topic of business start-ups. Just get in touch with us - we look forward to talking to you!
Credit programme of the Dahme-Spreewald district
Support with your microloan application
The Dahme-Spreewald district has set up a microloan programme for the formation and consolidation of microbusinesses in the first three years of their existence. The Economic Development Agency will assist you in applying for the microloan, which provides a credit line of up to EUR 15,000 for investments and working capital. The term is 48 months with a maximum of six months’ grace period. No collateral is required.
You can download all information about the current guidelines as well as the application for the microloan and related information here:
BAFA consulting support
Promotion of entrepreneurial know-how
As a regional partner of the German Federal Association of the Self-Employed (BDS), the Dahme-Spreewald Economic Development Agency will help you to apply for a consulting grant for the “Promotion of entrepreneurial know-how”. This is available to young companies in the secondary sector in the first two years with an assessment basis of EUR 4,000. An assessment basis of EUR 3,000 applies to existing companies from the third year onwards. The subsidy rate is 80 per cent in each case. The main focus is on general advice for economic, financial, personnel and organisational issues of corporate management as well as special advice on recruiting and retaining skilled workers.
The “Promotion of entrepreneurial know-how” programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and the European Social Fund. The German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) is responsible for the implementation of the consulting support.
Technology and Start-up Centre Wildau
Excellent starting conditions for business start-ups and young companies
The Technology and Start-up Centre Wildau (TGZ) provides business start-ups and companies with the ideal conditions to turn their ideas into reality. In the direct vicinity of the Aerospace Technology Centre Schönefelder Kreuz and close to the Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences, the Economic Development Agency offers offices and workshop space appointed to modern standards and on favourable terms, which can be expanded and upgraded as the company grows. The TGZ further focuses on expert support, the exchange of ideas with other company founders, synergy effects with established high-tech companies and technology transfer with university and non-university research institutions.