From the lab to the market: Bavaria funds the validation of your research results with up to €500,000.
The Bavarian programme funds two routes. First, the technical and commercial validation of research results and inventions in order to test how close they are to market. Second, FLÜGGE supports researchers making the move into founding a business. Staff costs, consultancy, materials and equipment are eligible. The funding rate depends on the size of the applicant: 30–60%, plus optional uplifts for region and degree of innovation.
Eligibility
- The applicant is a large company, an SME, a start-up, a municipality or an association.
- The registered office or the site of the project is in Bavaria.
- The project aims at validating research results or inventions, OR at the move into founding a business (FLÜGGE).
- A detailed project concept setting out the degree of innovation, market potential and feasibility is in place.
- A complete and plausible cost plan is submitted.
- Evidence of the underlying inventions or research results has to be attached.
- Legal compliance has to be evidenced, and reporting duties during and after the funding period have to be met.
Eligible costs
- Staff costs: project staff working on the validation and on preparing the business.
- Consultancy costs: external advisory services for validating research results or inventions and for start-up support.
- Material costs: materials and consumables needed for the validation project.
- Equipment costs: buying or renting equipment to carry out the validation.
Common pitfalls
Watch the regional tie
The programme applies only to Bavaria. Companies with projects in other federal states have to fall back on comparable state programmes.
Apply before the project starts
Costs incurred before the official approval are generally not eligible.
Plan for the reporting duties
There are reporting duties during and after the funding period. Missing or late reports can lead to clawback, so budget that effort into the project.
The funding rate depends on company size
Large companies receive a maximum funding rate of 30%, SMEs and start-ups 50%. A wrong size classification leads to corrections in the decision.
The application process
- 1 – Check eligibility. Both the project (validation or FLÜGGE start-up preparation) and the company's location have to be oriented towards Bavaria.
- 2 – Prepare the documents. Produce the application form, a detailed project description, a complete cost plan and evidence of the inventions or research results.
- 3 – Submit the online application. Submit online through the Bavarian funding database or directly to the responsible Bavarian body.
- 4 – Assessment and decision (approx. 3–6 months). The funding body assesses the degree of innovation, market potential and feasibility, and issues a funding decision.
- 5 – Deliver the project and report. Meet the reporting duties and submit statements of use on time.
How upsmart helps
We match your project against combinations such as the Bayern Innovationsgutschein and ERDF Bavaria, including a cumulation check so the same costs aren't funded twice. We take account of the funding rate uplifts available for region and degree of innovation. We write the draft application ready for assessment; your team decides. Fixed terms, no exclusivity.
Combining it with other programmes
In principle it can be combined with other Bavarian funding programmes (the Bayern Innovationsgutschein, ERDF Bavaria) as long as the same costs aren't funded twice. Federal programmes such as EXIST research transfer can be considered alongside it for start-up ventures.
Frequently asked questions
Large companies, SMEs, start-ups, municipalities and associations can apply, provided the project is oriented towards Bavaria.
The funding database gives a guide figure of up to €500,000 per project. The exact amount depends on the applicant's size and the eligible project costs.
Validierungsförderung aims at demonstrating that research results and inventions are ready for market. FLÜGGE specifically supports researchers making the move into self-employment.
No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Experience suggests processing takes around 3–6 months.
Staff costs, external consultancy costs, material costs and equipment costs (purchase or rental) for the validation or start-up project.
Read on in the blog
Guide: funding for startups and founders
Primary sources
- Förderdatenbank des Bundes – Validierungsförderung & FLÜGGE Bayern— Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
- Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs – technology transfer funding programmes— Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
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