Funding &
Startup Support

Prior to implementing a business idea, prospective entrepreneurs need to create a business plan. This includes a structured documentation on all key points that are to be considered with regard to realising the business idea.

The legal form defines the legal framework for an economically active enterprise. The individual legal forms in Germany differ mainly in terms of ownership structure and distribution of risk and/or liability of the managing directors.
It is recommended that founders decide on their legal form at an early stage, as this will provide legal protection during the initiation process. When deciding on the legal form, you might want to consider your entrepreneurial objectives as well as the level of seed capital available to you.

Depending on the chosen legal form and depending on the prospective business venture, companies are obliged to register with authorities and public agencies. If your business idea is particularly innovative, you should also ascertain whether it is possible to protect the idea. Applications for technical property rights, such as patents and utility models, should be filed at an early stage. The patent office is in charge of registering such rights. Furthermore you can trademark your design and your brand.

The calculation of the required starting capital is part of the business plan and takes place at the beginning of the founding process. The respective capital requirements depend on various factors. Among other things, the cost of renting the workplace, planned investments for the company, the planned marketing budget and, if necessary, personnel costs are crucial in determining the required level of capital. Hamburg offers several public and private funding opportunities that can help you access the necessary financial resources. These differ in terms of funding levels, conditions and often also in terms of effort in applying.

If you feel the need to escape your own four walls, you can relocate your business to a coworking space, an office space, a business centre, or a startup centre. There are various work and office spaces available for founders in Hamburg. Many landlords and real estate brokers have now adjusted their services to cater for new enterprises by offering premises that are suited to grow with the business.

Founders are liable to pay taxes in Germany for their business activities. The type and level of taxation essentially depends on the chosen legal form. Different types of taxes include e.g. income tax, corporation tax, trade tax, as well as input tax and value-added tax.

By starting up a business in Germany, founders are subjected to certain rights and obligations. There are a number of legal provisions to be observed also when it comes to dealing with clients and suppliers, using data, concluding lease agreements or insurance policies.

As your startup grows, so do the tasks involved. To cope with the increasing workload emerging from this, you might have to hire additional employees. But hiring new employees isn´t always that easy. Here you learn more about what makes good recruiting and what legal issues you should be aware of.