113 million euros are now available in Saxony-Anhalt for digitization in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The "Digital And Creative Economy" funding program is being launched with the support of EU funds. It consists of three components: "Digital Innovation", "Digital Creativity" and "Cross Innovation".
"Digital Innovation" focuses on digital processes and services in companies. In particular, it supports the development of digital business models as well as the digitalization of products, production processes and business procedures, digital marketing and sales strategies, and the establishment and enhancement of IT security. Companies receive a grant of up to 50% (max. EUR 70,000) for investments, material expenses or third-party services, among other things.
Under "Digital Creativity", SMEs are subsidized up to 75% (max. 130,000 euros) for the development and production of innovative digital applications such as games, apps, websites, software applications, virtual reality or cross-media projects.
In both the "Digital Innovation" and "Digital Creativity" funding programs, funding is awarded in several rounds of competition spread over the funding period. The selection process will start on January 15, 2024, from which point the relevant competition documents can be submitted. In the case of "Digital Innovation", the application deadline is January 19, 2024. Interested companies should start preparing their applications now.
With the Cross Innovation program, the state and the EU are promoting the formation and work of networks of companies from the creative industries, creative crafts and other sectors with the aim of developing and marketing innovative and new products and services with digital components. The networks to be supported are selected by a project jury as part of an ideas competition.
Further information on the program, its contents and the dates for the first rounds of the competition can be found on the website of Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt (approval office) at https://www.ib-sachsen-anhalt.de/unternehmen/digitalisieren.