Business plan viability check for the startup grant of the Employment Agency

Individuals who start a business out of unemployment can receive financial support.

Depending on whether you receive unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld) or citizen’s benefit (Grundsicherungsgeld), you submit the application for funding either to the Federal Employment Agency or the Jobcenter. Do you need to apply for a residence permit that allows you to become self-employed in Munich first? Please review our online resources on the Residence Permit and Business plan viability check for the Foreigner’s Office.

Start-up Grant While Receiving Unemployment Benefits

If you are receiving unemployment benefits, you can apply for the start-up grant at your local Employment Agency. This financial support makes it easier to start a business, helps ensure your livelihood, and provides social security.

Please note: There is no legal entitlement to the startup grant. The decision on whether you meet the requirements is made by your assigned placement specialist at the Employment Agency. Among other things, you will need a business plan whose viability has been confirmed by a qualified authority. You have no legal entitlement to the startup grant.

Business plan and  viability certificate (Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung)

Your business plan serves as the basis for your startup grant application. It must be reviewed for viability by an authorized expert body. The results are documented in a viability certificate (Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung).

In its official instructions (PDF, 130 KB), the Federal Employment Agency lists Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Chambers of Skilled Crafts (HWK), professional chambers, trade associations, and credit institutions as authorized expert bodies. Tax consultants can also be recognized by the Employment Agency. Please note that the City of Munich, as the responsible body for the Jobcenter, is responsible for approving funding and does not act as an expert body itself, much like the Employment Agency.

Authorized Expert Bodies for Business Viability Review and Certification

Below you will find a selection of approved expert bodies for reviewing the business plan and issuing the required certification.

Please contact yourself the expert body of your choice to plan processing times and costs.

Business Plan and Viability Statement for the Startup Grant (Gründungszuschuss) from the Federal Employment Agency

  • Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK für München und Oberbayern): Official contact point for all commercial businesses (Gewerbe). Please note that the IHK is not suitable for those who are planning self-employment in the liberal professions or skilled crafts business. You can contact the startup grant team by phone at +49 89 5116 2222 or via email at gruendungszuschuss@muenchen.ihk.de
  • Further details are available in their online guide. The IHK provides a free English business plan template on its platform, Unternehmerwerkstatt Deutschland. Your business plan must be created and submitted directly through this platform. A processing fee of 250 euros applies.
  • Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern): Official contact point for skilled craft businesses. The HWK is not suitable for for those who are planning self-employment in the liberal professions or commercial, IHK-affiliated industries. Initial information is provided by the HWK Founder’s Agency (Gründeragentur) at +49 89 5119 481 or via email at gruenderagentur@hwk-muenchen.de. For individual consulting, contact the Business Advisory Team (Betriebswirtschaftliche Beratung) at +49 89 5119 231. A downloadable business plan template is available on their website.
  • Professional Chambers (Berufskammern): A comprehensive directory of individual professional chambers can be accessed via the official BayernPortal.
  • Specialist and Trade Associations (Fachverbände): You can search for specific industry associations using specialized directories like www.verbaende.com.
  • AktivSenioren Bayern e.V. (Non-Profit Organization): Provides general support across all industries. You can reach them by phone at +49 89 22 22 37 or via email at info@aktivsenioren.de. A processing fee of 130 euros applies.
  • GründerRegio M e.V. (Non-Profit Organization): Specializes in solo entrepreneurs, women-led startups, liberal professions, and knowledge-intensive services. Contact them at +49 89 30 76 25 05 or via email at info@gr-m.de. A detailed informational flyer Gründungszuschuss (PDF, 1,9 MB) is available for download. A processing fee of 199 euros applies.
  • Institute for Liberal Professions (IFB – Institut für Freie Berufe): Exclusively focuses on founders entering the liberal professions (Freie Berufe). You can contact the IFB by phone at +49 911 23 565 28 to access their startup grant resources, required document checklists, and specialized business plan templates. The current processing fee is 149 euros.
  • Tax Consultants (Steuerberater): The Munich Chamber of Tax Advisors (Steuerberaterkammer München) maintains a public contact register of available tax consulting firms ready to take on new clients for business plan reviews.
  • Other authorized bodies, such as, auditors (Wirtschaftsprüfer), and business consultancies (Unternehmensberater)

Next Steps

Before contacting an authorized expert body, you should clarify the following points:

Are You Receiving Citizen’s benefit (Grundsicherungsgeld) Instead of Unemployment Benefits?

Individuals who start a business out of unemployment and receive Citizen’s benefit (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly known as Bürgergeld or ALG 2) may be eligible for an  initial grant (Einstiegsgeld) from the Jobcenter for self-employment. This requires a precise understanding of the current rules and framework. In this guide, we explain the most important requirements.