Funding Opportunities
Filing for intellectual property rights involves costs. To help overcome these costs, both the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the European Union (EU) offer various funding programs.
Below you will find a selection of funding opportunities.
WIPANO – Knowledge and technology transfer through patents
The aim of the program is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in leveraging their creative potential and economically exploiting innovative ideas and inventions through patents and utility models. Both public research and technical and scientific companies are eligible for funding which supports them in patenting, exploitation, further development,certification and standardization. The funding volume depends on the respective application.
SME Fund 2026 “Ideas Powered for Business”
The SME Fund is a financial support programme designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the EU protect their intellectual property rights. The SME Fund is an initiative of the European Commission, implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and runs from 2 February 2026 to 4 December 2026.
Protecting your intellectual property is essential in the digital age. It is a legal means of preventing your unique ideas, products, or services from being copied or used without your permission. The SME Fund can help you protect a wide range of assets, including trademarks, designs, patents, and plant varieties.
Start-up grants
EXIST start-up grant:
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports start-up projects based on innovative, technology-oriented or knowledge-based products with unique selling points and good prospects of commercial success. For example, scientists from public, non-profit, non-university research institutions or from universities, university graduates up to five years after graduation, students who have completed at least half of their studies at the time of application, or start-up teams of up to three people. Scholarship holders receive grants for living expenses, coaching and material expenses for a maximum of one year.
NRW start-up grant:
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) supports innovative start-ups in future-oriented technologies and innovative services within the region. Eligible applicants include individual founders or teams of up to three people who have each reached the age of eighteen and have their place of residence and center of life in NRW, and who either want to become self-employed with a company in NRW within the next twelve months or who have already started their own business within the last twelve months.
Further funding opportunities
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia offers special funding for biotechnology, medical and pharmaceutical companies: Zukunftbio.nrw.
For all scientific disciplines, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been offering validation and corresponding funding for innovative ideas from research since 2014: Validation funding VIP+.
Do you have any questions? Contact our Start-Up Team:
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Patent Attorney & Partner
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