Bayern Innovativ GmbH

Supports Bavarian innovation by providing development financing, technology transfer guidance, and partnerships for small enterprises.

Bayern Innovativ is the Free State of Bavaria's innovation development agency, commissioned since 1995. Its core mission is supporting Bavarian SMEs through innovation networks, technology transfer, and access to Bavarian, federal, and EU funding across mobility, energy, health, materials, and digital sectors.

Within Bayern Innovativ, the Projektträger Bayern (PTB / Project Management Agency Bavaria) administers technology grant programs on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi). Active PTB programs include BayTOU (tech-oriented start-ups), BayTP+ (technology promotion for companies up to 400 employees), Innovation Voucher Bavaria (IGS, for small companies commissioning external R&D), and the Bavarian Transformation Fund (€350M for companies undergoing structural change). Bayern Innovativ is not the final approving authority — StMWi (or the Bavarian Transformation and Research Foundation for TF modules) issues the funding notices.

Bayern Innovativ also runs non-grant advisory services — the Förderlotse (funding navigator), Gründerlotse (start-up guide), and Transformationslotse (transformation pilot) — which are free advisory services, not grantmakers. The agency hosts the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) node and the Patent Center Bavaria for IP advice.