Without having to wait for public tenders because those are only few times per year. Instead, I'm looking for some form of non-payback grants, corporate purpose donations, etc. Does anyone from you have such expertise so we could discuss a bit further? I already considered KickStarter and IndieGoGo but it's near impossible to get anything there and on top of that, people there want a share of revenue if and when earned.
As an EU resident, you can explore the following options for startup capital without involving investors and minimizing payback obligations:
*Grants:*
1. Horizon 2020 (EU's research and innovation program): Up to €2.5 million.
2. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): Supports regional development projects.
3. EU's Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Instrument: Up to €2.5 million.
4. National and regional government grants (e.g., Germany's EXIST program).
*Loans with favorable terms:*
1. European Investment Bank (EIB) loans: Low-interest rates, long repayment periods.
2. EU's COSME program: Loan guarantees for SMEs.
3. Microfinance institutions (e.g., European Microfinance Network).
4. National and regional development banks (e.g., KfW in Germany).
*Crowdfunding:*
1. Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Seedrs (reward-based).
2. Equity crowdfunding (e.g., Crowdcube, Companisto) with revenue-sharing models.
*Government-backed loans and guarantees:*
1. EU's Guarantee Facility: Supports SME loans.
2. National and regional government-backed loans (e.g., UK's Start Up Loans).
*Incubators and accelerators:*
1. EU-funded programs (e.g., EIT Digital, Startup Europe).
2. National and regional incubators (e.g., Berlin's Startupbootcamp).
*Tax incentives and credits:*
1. Research and Development (R&D) tax credits.
2. VAT exemptions or reductions.
*Other options:*
1. Bootstrapping (self-funding).
2. Friends and family funding.
3. Business plan competitions.
*Eligibility criteria and application process:*
1. Review program requirements and eligibility.
2. Prepare a solid business plan and financial projections.
3. Submit applications through official websites or partner organizations.
*Maximizing chances of no payback:*
1. Focus on grants and government-backed programs.
2. Explore revenue-sharing models or convertible notes.
3. Negotiate loan terms with favorable interest rates and repayment periods.
*Resources:*
1. European Commission's funding opportunities portal.
2. EU's Startup Europe initiative.
3. National and regional government websites.
4. Business associations and industry networks.
Some popular EU-wide programs:
1. Horizon 2020: (link unavailable)
2. COSME: (link unavailable)
3. European Investment Bank: (link unavailable)
*Country-specific resources:*
Germany:
- EXIST program: (link unavailable)
- KfW: (link unavailable)
UK:
- Start Up Loans: (link unavailable)
- Innovate UK: (link unavailable)
France:
- Bpifrance: (link unavailable)
- France Num: (link unavailable)
Research and review programs specific to your country and region.
Please consult with a financial advisor or business expert to ensure the best approach for your startup.
