BAFA-authorized consulting partner

Government-funded business consulting

The BAFA program “Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows” pays for part of the cost when small and mid-sized firms hire expert consultants. It covers up to 80 % of the cost. We are a listed consulting firm. We help you with IT security, digital work, strategy and marketing. And we stay with you from the first form to the proof of use.

Free initial consultation Check eligibility

up to 80%

of the consulting fee is funded

€2,400–3,500

grant per project, based on region

BAFA-listed

approved consulting firm

full guidance

from the first form to proof of use

What is funded?

BAFA funds advice on every part of running a business. That includes economic, financial, staff and organizational questions. Our own team at SecTepe covers these eligible fields:

You get a detailed report on our work. You also use it as your proof of use for BAFA.

IT Security Strategy

Holistic security analysis, risk assessment and security concept – eligible as digitalization and process consulting.

ISMS & ISO 27001

Building an information security management system – policies, processes and certification readiness.

Cyber Awareness & Training

Employee training, phishing simulations and a sustainable security culture – classic HR and organizational consulting.

Digitalization & Processes

Digital business processes, secure cloud migration and automation – eligible digitalization consulting.

Marketing & Digital Visibility

Positioning, website optimization, SEO and social media strategy as eligible marketing consulting.

Customer Acquisition & Sales

Lead generation, sales automation and employer branding – strategic business consulting under the BAFA guideline.

How much BAFA covers

How much you get depends on how old your firm is and in which state it is based.

up to 80 %

Young companies & new federal states

For firms that have been on the market for less than 2 years. Also for all SMEs in the new German federal states, Berlin included.

Up to €3,500 subsidy

50 %

Established companies, old federal states

For all other eligible SMEs and freelancers in the old federal states.

Up to €2,400 subsidy

SME check

Are you eligible?

Find out in 10 seconds if your firm meets the BAFA rules.

Fewer than 250 employees

Counted as full-time equivalents. Linked firms count too.

Max. €50M annual turnover or €43M balance sheet total

You only need to meet one of the two.

Based and operating in Germany

You run a business or work freelance. Non-profits do not qualify.

Tick each box that applies to you to see if you qualify.

Get a free eligibility check

How the funding process works

There are four steps from the first call to the grant. We guide you the whole way.

Free initial consultation

We talk about your goals and check if you qualify. Then we pick the right topics with you.

BAFA application

You apply online and have a short call with the regional office. Then BAFA approves the grant. We help you at each step.

Consulting & execution

We do the consulting. We write up all results in a report that meets BAFA rules.

Receive the subsidy

You hand in the proof of use. The grant goes straight to your business account.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about BAFA funding

Here are answers to the main questions on how to apply, how much you get and how it works.

Who is eligible for funding?

Eligible are legally independent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers based and operating in Germany. The company must employ fewer than 250 people and have an annual turnover of max. 50 million euros or a balance sheet total of max. 43 million euros.

How much is the subsidy exactly?

BAFA subsidizes up to 80 % of the consultant’s fee for young companies (up to 2 years on the market) and companies in the new German federal states, otherwise 50 %. The maximum eligible daily consulting rate is 1,100 € net; the maximum eligible total depends on company phase and federal state.

Which consulting topics are funded?

The BAFA program “Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows” funds all economic, financial, personnel and organizational questions of business management – including IT security strategy, digitalization, data protection, process optimization, marketing, sales and HR development.

How does the application work?

The application is submitted online to BAFA before the consulting contract is signed. After review you receive an informational call with a regional contact. Afterwards we deliver the consulting and you submit the proof of use together with the consulting report.

Do I need to pay upfront?

Yes. You pay the consultant’s fee in full first and receive the subsidy directly to your business account after the proof of use has been approved – usually within a few weeks of submission.

How long does processing take?

After the application, the informational call with the regional office typically happens within a few days. The consulting itself must be completed within 6 months. The subsidy is usually paid out 4–8 weeks after the proof of use is submitted.

Is SecTepe an authorized consultant?

Yes. SecTepe is listed with BAFA as a consulting company and meets the requirements for expertise, reliability and performance. We support you from application preparation to proof of use.

What does the initial consultation cost?

The initial call to check your eligibility and scope the consulting topics is free of charge and non-binding. Costs only arise once the application and consulting contract are signed – and up to 80 % of those are reimbursed by BAFA.

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