InnoStartBonus
Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) · Founder stipend
$14K€1,050/month (~$1.1k) per founder for up to 12 months, plus €150/month per child
Saxony's living-cost grant for founders in the run-up to and early phase of an innovative start-up.
Key terms
- Founders aged 18+ with main residence in Saxony; max two people per team
- Must plan to actually found the company within 12 months
- Competitive pre-selection: idea paper and video via futureSAX, then a jury vote, before the formal SAB application
- Not combinable with other living-cost stipends or start-up benefits (ALG I/II); max 20 hours/week other paid work
- The bonus is taxable income
Eligibility
- Where
- Germany
- Stages
- idea, pre-seed
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- No
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- No
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Main residence in Saxony
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or residence permit allowing work
How to apply
Submit an idea paper and video on the futureSAX portal, then apply formally to SAB after a positive vote.
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- 2027-04-27
- Status
- Open
Verified 2026-10-30 · source
More: Government grants for startups · Startup programs in Germany
Guide: Startup grants in Germany (2026): EXIST, state programs and EU grants compared