BayTOU — Bavarian Technology-Oriented Start-ups Programme

BayTOU — Technology-Oriented Start-ups

Supports Bavarian technology founders developing new products and processes with competitive market advantages.

Eligibility · Germany · DE-BY

BayTOU — Bavarian Technology-Oriented Start-ups — is a non-repayable grant program administered by Projektträger Bayern (PTB) at Bayern Innovativ on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi). The program targets company founders and young technology companies in Bavaria developing new products, processes, or technical services with clear competitive advantages and market opportunities. It is open to all technology sectors and funds projects that carry considerable technical and economic risk of success.

Two funding lines are available: the Concept project line subsidises the development of a viable technological concept for a company start-up at up to 35% of eligible costs, capped at €26,000 over a maximum of nine months. The Development project line supports full R&D projects at up to 45% of eligible costs, with a maximum award of €150,000 for software-related projects, running one to three years. Eligible costs include R&D personnel, instruments and equipment, contract research, patent costs, and other directly related operating expenses. Applicants must have existed for fewer than six years, employ fewer than ten FTE (including management), and maintain a Bavarian technology location. Managing directors must hold at least 50% of company shares and devote the majority of their working time to the project.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at any time during the guidelines' period of validity — there are no fixed deadlines. Projects must not have begun before the approval letter is received, and may not receive parallel funding from other federal, state, or EU programs. Grant payments are made in installments against eligible costs incurred, with regular technical and financial reporting required. The program is best suited to pre-revenue or early-stage Bavarian technology ventures seeking non-dilutive capital to validate a concept or complete a prototype-stage development.