Example
Even if many founders may be a little “put off” at the moment when they deal with the list of requirements to be fulfilled, it often quickly turns out that the procedure is comparatively simple. Nevertheless: the correct order in the processing of your tasks is of course important in order to be able to plan well and to improve your chances of success.
But what does the perfect example actually look like? How can a start-up grant be applied for as easily as possible? Below you will find practical step-by-step instructions that should make the application a little easier.
Step # 1: Apply for unemployment benefits. Because: you cannot switch directly from a permanent position to the start-up grant. Rather, it is essential that you have received unemployment benefit 1 for at least one day (or longer).
Step no. 2: Obtain the relevant application form for the grant from the relevant employment office.
Step no. 3: Prepare or complete your business plan! Of course, the content is particularly important! That means: an uninvolved third party should be able to understand your project. Furthermore, your business plan should of course be coherent and coherent. After all, your planning is an important cornerstone when it comes to granting or rejecting the grant. With a well-founded business plan, you can increase your chances.
Step # 4: If necessary, work with experts to further round off your plan.
Step # 5: Get your viability certificate. This document looks at the economic prospects of your self-employment. Of course, it is particularly important that this particular document is recognized by the employees of the employment agency. In the best case, it is important to work particularly transparently and to inquire in advance (!) By whom the said load-bearing capacity certificate must be issued. Unfortunately, there are no standardized statements about this. Some agencies refer to a specific incubator, others to a management consultant.
And: if the assessment shows that your self-employment may need a somewhat longer start-up phase before the first profits can be booked, it is helpful if you can also justify said possible “starting difficulties”.
Step 6: Register!
Depending on whether you work as a freelancer or commercially, you now need to register your self-employment with the tax office or the trade office.
Step # 7: Submit your application. In the best case, this will of course be approved promptly so that you can start your own business.
Alternatives to start-up financing from the Federal Agency
Not in the mood for the classic start-up grant? Are you wondering what other alternatives are there for you? Perhaps you have already submitted a corresponding application, but it was rejected? No problem! Of course, your self-employment does not only depend on the subsidy from the Employment Agency. There are alternatives that might be interesting as well.
Alternative 1: a (private) loan or the loan via classic online platforms
Optionally, you can often also take out a loan when it comes to laying the foundation for your independence. Due to the large number of providers, it makes sense to compare the various conditions with one another.
Maybe you can get a loan from a friend or family member too? But don’t forget: no matter how well you get on, a contract can prevent anger and disputes!
Alternative no. 2: the KfW start-up loan
According to wholevehicles.com, the KfW development bank also offers many start-ups the opportunity to be a little more flexible, especially after they have started their own business. You can easily process the relevant application via your house bank.
Alternative no. 3: slow, self-financing
Admittedly, in some cases it is simply not possible to finance self-employment from scratch. However, sometimes – especially if you do not need a larger plant park, for example – it can make sense to build up your own business step by step and make investments gradually. Or to put it another way: the purchase of the more modern computer has time until enough money has flowed into the till. In some industries, this is definitely a particularly sensible way of structuring a start-up, which is also usually associated with comparatively low risks.
Conclusion
The start-up grant from the Employment Agency is a great alternative for all founders who are not only dependent on the corresponding amount, but are also looking for a special form of security. Because: the corresponding sum is only granted if the business plan is conclusive and the economic prospects are convincing.
In a way, one could even speak of a special kind of “control” here. Because: if the chances of success are rather poor, the grant will not be approved. In a certain way, the founders are “forced” to deal intensively with their independence and the corresponding prospects of success in a wide variety of areas.
In addition …:
- the start-up grant does not play a role in terms of income tax
- the sum offers a particularly high degree of flexibility
- the grant is a welcome alternative to traditional loans
- the “bureaucratic hurdles” that have to be taken into account in the course of the application are manageable.
In short: if you want to concentrate exclusively on your job in the first phase of your self-employment, without having to worry about the initial start-up phases and the corresponding losses, you should have found the right solution in the start-up loan.
