Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center
Obtain an expert opinion from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for start-up grants

If you are unemployed and want to start a business, you can apply for a start-up grant from the Employment Agency. For this you need the opinion of an expert on your business concept.

Detailed description

Questions about funding should first be clarified with the relevant employment agency. You can also apply for a start-up subsidy there.

A prerequisite for the start-up subsidy from the employment agency is that an expert body has checked your business idea and considered it viable. You can choose the contact person for the statement. This can be the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, for example.

During the viability check, your foundation concept is checked for plausibility and traceability. The decisive factor is whether you can live off the implementation of the business idea after a start-up phase.

In addition to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, other bodies can also assess the viability of your project:

chambers of crafts,
professional chambers,
trade associations,
credit institutions,
Other (tax consultants, auditors, start-up initiatives, etc.)

In the event of justified doubts, the employment agency can again request the submission of an opinion from a competent body.

Information

Important notes

Prerequisites

Your business concept is presented in a comprehensible manner
Your business concept is viable, which means you can probably make a living from it

Documents required

In order to receive a statement, at least the following documents are required:

Brief description of the business start-up project
CV
Capital requirements and financing plan
Sales and profitability forecast
Evidence of previous business activities, for example a written report on your entrepreneurial activities and outlook on business development for the coming months, overview of income and expenses, incoming orders or efforts to obtain orders

In general, we recommend the creation of a comprehensive business plan (templates and models, for example from the competent authorities) and the creation of a liquidity plan, at least for the intended funding period.

Please note

Deadlines

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

The statement is a step towards obtaining the start-up grant. Please contact your employment agency first and find out whether you are eligible for a start-up grant.

If you apply for the start-up subsidy at the employment agency and would like to obtain the opinion of a chamber of industry and commerce (IHK), please proceed as follows:

You contact your chamber of commerce and arrange an interview.
Prepare the necessary documents (short description of the business start-up project, curriculum vitae, capital requirement and financing plan, sales and profitability forecast, also recommended: liquidity plan).
It is often necessary to send the IHK the documents before the interview.

After the interview, you will receive an assessment from the competent authority from the IHK, which you then send to the Employment Agency. Inquire at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce about any different procedures.

Processing time

Please inquire about the processing time at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Fees

A fee is usually charged. Please inquire about the fee at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Legal notes

Legal remedies

No formal legal remedies possible

Legal basis

Section 93 paragraph 2 of the Third Book of the Social Code (SGB III)

Downloads & Links

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information