Driving transformation across the board: Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions (IGP) launches new funding call for ecological innovations.
A new funding call for ecological innovations from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be launched on September 12 via the Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions (IGP) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection is making a total of around 10 million euros available for this purpose. The IGP is a funding program of the BMWK that supports the development of promising non-technical innovations.
Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, said, “Our future is based on good ideas that we are developing now. For a successful transformation, we must rely on a broad spectrum of innovation that goes beyond the development of new technologies. New organizational models, creative business concepts or innovative digital applications are also crucial levers for the future. With this funding round, we are focusing on ecological innovations in particular and want to help a large number of entrepreneurial ideas to be successfully realized!”
The current funding call is aimed at business models and pioneering solutions for ecological innovations. These can be, for example, new concepts for the circular economy, (service) designs for climate protection and energy transition, digital solutions for resource protection and sustainability. The target group is SMEs (including start-ups, self-employed, social enterprises) and research institutions cooperating with the companies, such as universities. The best ideas will be determined competitively in a multi-stage process. The first step is to submit applications for participation by November 8.
The start of funding is also an important milestone in the establishment of the IGP, which initially started as a limited pilot program. The current first funding call is to be followed by further calls with different focal points at approximately six-month intervals. With its focus on non-technical innovations, the IGP expands and modernizes the support system for entrepreneurial ideas. During the pilot phase, it was in great demand, especially from small, young companies.
By establishing the IGP, the BMWK is also implementing a measure of the German government’s start-up strategy.