Third Phase Initiated for Hubs' Assistance
Baden-Württemberg is set to provide a fresh wave of support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through a new funding initiative. The aim is to open up new business opportunities for these enterprises through national and international partnerships.
The funding, amounting to around 1.2 million euros from the Double Budget 2025/2026, will be distributed among three de:hubs in the region in a third funding phase. Each de:hub will receive a maximum of 400,000 euros over two years.
The de:hubs are thematic points of contact for SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, students, and investors. They serve as input providers for regional digital hubs and benefit from improved access to local businesses, research institutions, and other stakeholders.
The de:hubs in Baden-Württemberg are part of a nationwide network, which currently comprises 25 hubs covering additional key industries and regions since September 2024. They are focused on networking SMEs with innovation partners from the start-up scene and science.
The de:hubs in the region are part of the Digital Hub Network Baden-Württemberg, along with regional digital hubs and European Digital Innovation Hubs in the country. They aim to strengthen national and international networking for SMEs.
The de:hubs focus on areas such as Promotion, Education and Science, Research, Economy, Start-ups, Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and Health. In Baden-Württemberg, the de:hubs are focused on applied artificial intelligence, digital chemistry and health, and future industries.
The beneficiaries are required to provide at least 50 percent co-financing. The de:hubs will also focus on bridging the gap to federal activities and initiatives in other states, with the de:hubs in Baden-Württemberg set to network with external Digital Hubs in Berlin, Bavaria (Munich area), and North Rhine-Westphalia. These hubs are key players in the German AI and digital startup landscape, connected through federal initiatives.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg is providing this support. For more information, you can contact their Press Office or Citizen's Representative. The Federal Ministry of Economics launched a call for the expansion of the Digital Hub Initiative in April 2024.
The first twelve de:hubs were awarded by the Federal Ministry of Economics in spring 2017 as part of the Digital Hub Initiative. The de:hubs in the country are promoted within the initiative 'Economic Digital Baden-Württemberg' as thematic lighthouses with international reach.
This new funding is a significant step forward in supporting SMEs in Baden-Württemberg, helping them to forge new partnerships and seize opportunities in the digital age.
