On your marks, get set: Innovators wanted The state of Lower Saxony wants to promote the founding and growth of high-tech companies in the smart mobility sector

The state of Lower Saxony and the Entrepreneurship Hub of TU Braunschweig and Ostfalia are looking for start-ups and young companies that are about to be founded. They must pursue a start-up idea from the technology field of mobility and digitalisation. Up to 15 teams can receive scholarships and financial grants in 2022.

Picture credits: Dagmar Wilgeroth/Entrepreneurship Hub

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics is funding high-tech incubators and accelerators in 2022 to accelerate the establishment and growth of new high-tech companies. Technische Universität Braunschweig submitted a corresponding funding application in November 2021 for the establishment and operation of a high-tech incubator/accelerator Smart Mobility (HTIA Smart Mobility).

The funding is granted as a non-repayable grant. It consists of a grant for the implementation of the structure and operation of the HTIA of up to 2 million euros and start-up project funding totalling up to 3 million euros. The funding projects are organised by the NBank.

If the assessment is positive, all start-ups can receive a grant: 2,000 euros per co-founder per month (if they have completed their studies or 1,000 euros if they have completed vocational training) for a period of ten months. In addition, there are financial grants amounting to 100,000 euros in incubation and a maximum of 200,000 euros in acceleration. The Entrepreneurship Hub also offers a variety of qualifying support services, mentoring and coaching.

The HTIA offer will be announced publicly, and a jury will then decide which start-ups will be accepted into the programme.

The offer will start on 01.01.2022. It is still subject to a positive funding approval by the state. Those interested can already find out more (see contact box).