3 Simple Steps to apply for government funding (Gründungszuschuss or Einstiegsgeld) in 2024

Do you know when you receive unemployment benefits or Bürgergeld but plan to start your own business, there is an extra benefit that can be applied, it is called Gründungszuschuss (Agentur für Arbeit) and Einstiegslgeld (JobCenter)

This is a great opportunity to help you to re-invest in your business from the early start. Why should you miss out?

In general, you will get an extra 300 Euro on top of your benefit and what can you do with the extra 300 Euro.

What can you do with the extra 300 Euro?

  • Invest in online tools & software & build a website or hosting

  • Invest in Google or social media ads

  • Invest in your personal coaching or online course

  • Rent a studio or working place

Sounds amazing, how do you apply for this?

First of all, who is eligible?

  • Current client by Jobcenter and receive also benefits

  • Current client by Arbeitsagentur and receive also benefits

Here we gonna help you to receive Gründungszuschuss or Einstiegsgeld easier.

Mention your motivation to your counselor at Jobcenter or Arbeitsagentur

They will ask you to prepare a few documents such as a business plan and financial projection.

Prepare and write your Business Plan and finance projection

I know not everyone had studied in business school so here comes your big how. Certainly, you can use Google and Business model canvas as a start. You will also need some finance projection, how many expanses you will have, and how you want to use this 300 Euro. You can use those examples above. If you have already written several business plans in the past or helped other people and you are relatively confident, feel free to jump to the next step to get approved.

(Optional) Apply For AVGS to receive Grüdungscoaching (founder Coaching)

I would suggest if you have never written one before, please apply for an AVGS voucher to your counselor beforehand to receive startup or founder (Grüdungscoaching) coaching. If you want to know how to apply for AVGS, please check out the article here.

Get approved by certified agencies or IHK

Once you have completed writing your business plan, you would definitely need help to be approved before you send it out. You can either get in touch with IHK or you can ask for a certified agency to get one, we can help you to arrange that, just get in touch with us.

Send out to your Arbeitsagentur or JobCenter Counselor

If you check all the boxes on your application and you are good to send them out.

Finally, we know it is hard to go through all by yourself as expats or English speakers, bureaucracy is Germany is daunting. Therefore, we want to let you know.

At FEM, we have helped many of our clients to receive Gründungzuschuss and Einstiegsgeld.

Those are the businesses that we have helped so far

  • Onlineshop which sells sustainable accessories and apparel

  • Software engineer to start freelancing and turn to an agency focused on also sustainable field

  • Former agency marketer turn to brand consultant

  • Former marketer turn to executive and business coach

  • Fullstack Engineer who had validated his startup idea in the travel industry

We have a success rate of 100%

If you are going through this process or are about to or still have a few more personalized questions, we encourage you to book a free call below.

Let us help you.


AVGS, Business & MarketingIrene Yubusiness coach, startup coaching, Gründungscoaching, Founder CoachingComment