Cleantech and climate funding consultant for companies across the EU

Yes, we work with cleantech and climate companies across the EU. Without a German entity, the main routes are the EIC Accelerator and Horizon Europe, open to companies established in an EU member state or an associated country, and Eurostars, in which every EU member state takes part. The EU Innovation Fund accepts applicants from anywhere, for projects located in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. German programmes need a German company, permanent establishment or site.

Startups usually combine an R&D programme with an EU instrument for scale-up. The EIC Accelerator funds a single startup or SME with a grant below €2.5M and optional equity of €1M to €10M, in any field of technology. With a German entity, the Research Allowance pays 25% of eligible R&D costs, 35% for SMEs, even in a loss year, and KMU-innovativ funds SME research on resources and circular economy or on climate and energy. Founders at a German university or research institute can start with EXIST.

Yes, if it is taxable in Germany, typically through a German subsidiary or a permanent establishment. Eligibility follows German tax liability, and the tax authorities treat a foreign company with a German permanent establishment as eligible where Germany has the right to tax. The allowance is 25% of eligible R&D costs, 35% for SMEs, credited against German tax. Contract research counts only if the contractor is managed in the EU, or in an EEA state that provides administrative assistance in tax matters.

Yes, each a different part of the investment. The EU Innovation Fund funds innovative low-carbon pilots, demonstration and first commercial plants in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein from €2.5M of capex, at up to 60% of relevant costs: by default the investment plus ten years of operating costs, minus revenues. BAFA EEW funds energy efficiency, renewable process heat and electrification at a German site, at 10% to 60% by module and company size. Neither is meant for the R&D that comes before.

Yes, through two technology fields, for SMEs with a permanent establishment or branch in Germany by the time the grant is paid out. Ressourcen und Kreislaufwirtschaft funds research on raw material efficiency, the circular economy and sustainable water management; Energieeffizienz, Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung covers energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation. Both take single projects or joint projects with research partners and start with a project outline. Companies above the SME limits join only as partners in a joint project.

It depends on the programme. Under the Research Allowance, pilot work can count while it still improves a process that is not yet fixed; the R&D phase ends with the test of a prototype, and commissioning, ramp-up and fine-tuning production do not count. Horizon Europe innovation actions can fund piloting and demonstration, the EU Innovation Fund has a topic for pilots below commercial scale, and the EIC Accelerator grant covers development from TRL 6 to 8.

Yes, several programmes are built for that stage. The Research Allowance is paid out even when a company makes a loss: whatever exceeds your tax bill is refunded. The EIC Accelerator accepts startups, and even founders who will set up the company before the grant agreement is signed. Founders still at a German university or research institute can start with EXIST.

Under the Research Allowance, yes, if it meets three conditions. Depreciation on movable assets such as pilot reactors, test rigs and measurement equipment counts if they were acquired or produced after 27 March 2024, are used exclusively in the R&D project and are necessary for it. Low-value assets written off immediately do not count, nor do software and licences. Grant programmes such as KMU-innovativ apply their own cost rules to equipment.

Yes, and for some programmes it helps. Under the Research Allowance, contract research counts at 70% of the fee for contracts placed after 27 March 2024 (60% before), if the contractor is managed in the EU, or in an EEA state that provides administrative assistance in tax matters. KMU-innovativ funds joint projects in which universities and research institutes can receive up to 100% of their costs. Under the German Eurostars rules, universities and institutes are funded only when a German SME carries a substantial share of the R&D work.

Yes, for different stages, projects or cost items, within each programme's rules. A common sequence is the Research Allowance or KMU-innovativ for process R&D, Horizon Europe or the EIC Accelerator on the way to market, then the EU Innovation Fund or BAFA EEW for the plant. The same costs are never funded twice: costs another grant already covers stay out of the Research Allowance entirely, and EU grants combined on the same costs may never exceed 100% of them.

For the Research Allowance our fee is purely success-based: 10% of the funding up to €500k per year and 5% above that, due only after payout. For all other programmes the fee is a fixed share plus a success component, both agreed in advance. The first eligibility check is free and comes with no obligation.