Digitalization funding for online configurators
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Digitalization Is Essential for Business Success
To remain competitive in today's economy, digitalization is no longer optional—it has become essential. Customers increasingly make purchasing decisions from the comfort of their homes, expecting convenience, speed, and transparency. With countless products and services available online, comparing prices, features, and special offers takes only a few clicks.
A skilled trades business that still handles quotations and customer inquiries by phone and spreadsheets will gradually lose its competitive edge to companies offering online appointment scheduling, instant quotations, and real-time customer support.
To help businesses adapt to these changing market conditions, governments provide funding programs that support the digital transformation of business processes. These grants enable companies to invest in modern digital solutions while reducing the financial burden of implementation.
General Eligibility Requirements
If you plan to commission or develop an online configurator as part of a public funding program, the eligibility requirements will depend on the specific grant scheme. In general, the following criteria apply:
The software should provide a clear digital added value and implement several of the following features:
- Customized configuration of products or services based on customer requirements
- Integration with existing systems such as ERP, CRM, or inventory management software
- Dynamic price calculation based on the selected options
- Saving configurations for later editing or repeat orders
- Built-in validation to ensure only technically or logically valid combinations can be selected
- Responsive design for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
- Configuration visualization, for example through AR or interactive 2D and 3D previews
- Automatic generation of quotations or configuration summaries
- GDPR-compliant processing of personal data
- Direct submission of the completed configuration to your company
Funding at a Glance
Nationwide Funding Programs 🌐
These programs are available throughout Germany, regardless of where your company is based. Depending on the specific program, they can support your project through consulting, research and development, innovation, or financing.
BAFA - Funding for Business Expertise
Type of Funding:
- Grant for consulting services
- Does not cover the actual software development
Funding Amount:
- Covers 50–80% of consulting costs, depending on the region
- Multiple consulting projects may be eligible for funding
Suitable for:
- Digitalization strategy
- Requirements specification (functional specification)
- Technical specification
- Software vendor selection
- Funding advisory services
- AI strategy
KfW ERP-Digitalization and Innovation Loan
Type of Funding:
- Low-interest promotional loan
- In some cases, includes a repayment grant
Funding Amount:
- Financing available up to several million euros; depending on the program, loans of up to €25 million are available.
Suitable for:
- Custom software development
- Online configurators
- Cloud solutions
- ERP systems
- CRM systems
- Hardware
- Servers
- AI projects
- End-to-end business process digitalization
Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM)
Type of Funding:
- Non-repayable grant
Suitable for:
- Development of new software
- AI applications
- Machine learning
- Computer vision
- Industry 4.0 solutions
- New algorithms
- New digital products
go-inno
Type of Funding:
- Grant for external consulting services
Eligible Activities:
- Innovation concepts
- Feasibility studies
- Technical planning
- Preparation of a development project
R&D Tax Incentive
Type of Funding:
- Tax incentive
- Non-repayable
Suitable for:
- Development of new software
- AI systems
- Algorithms
- Innovative platforms
- New technologies
SME Digital – Support for Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
This program does not fund software development, but it provides free support.
Services offered:
- Workshops
- Webinars
- AI consulting
- Digitalization consulting
- Practical implementation projects
Baden-Württemberg
Funding is provided through the “Digitalization Financing” program of the L-Bank.
It is a low-interest loan combined with a repayment grant.
The financing covers up to 100% of eligible investment costs.
Bayern
The Bavarian “Digitalbonus” program is divided into two variants.
The Standard Program provides a grant of up to €7,500.
The Plus Program offers maximum funding of up to €30,000.
For both programs, the funding rate is up to 50% of eligible expenses.
Brandenburg
The Brandenburg Innovation Voucher (BIG – Digital) is one of the most attractive regional funding programs in Germany. While many federal states cap their grants at €10,000–€30,000, Brandenburg allows funding of up to €500,000 for an implementation project, with a funding rate of 50%.
Bremen
The federal state of Bremen supports digitalization projects through the “Digitalization & Work 4.0” program by subsidizing up to 50% of eligible consulting costs, with a maximum grant of €5,000.
Hamburg
The “Hamburg Digital” funding concept is divided into two modules.
The “Hamburg Digital Check” provides grants for consulting and service concepts.
The funding rate is up to 50% of eligible consulting costs, with a maximum grant amount of up to €7,500.
The minimum project size is €3,000 net.
In addition, the federal state offers the “Hamburg-Kredit Digital” as a possible financing option.
The loan volume ranges from €25,000 to several million euros. Depending on the funding level, projects can be financed with loans of up to €7.5 million or €25 million.
Furthermore, a grant may be available depending on the respective funding level.
Hessen
he Hessian “DIGI Grant” is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized digitalization projects with a project volume of €4,000 to €20,000.
For online configurators, up to 50% of project costs can be subsidized, with a maximum grant amount of €10,000.
Applications are submitted through WIBank.
Nordrhein-Westfalen
The “Mittelstand Innovativ& Digital” program, also known as the “MID Funding” program, in North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the most attractive regional funding programs.
The funding rate is 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum grant amount of €15,000.
Rheinland-Pfalz
The exact funding amount of the “Implementation of Business Innovation (IBI-EFRE)” program depends on several factors:
- Company size
- Company location
- Type of project
- Applicable state aid regulations
In principle, this is a non-repayable grant.
Saarland
The “DigitalInvest KMU” program of the Saarland Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digital Affairs and Energy is suitable for standard digitalization projects.
The funding rate is up to 50% for small enterprises and up to 30% for medium-sized enterprises.
The maximum grant amount is €12,500.
In addition, there is a “Plus Funding” option aimed at projects with a higher degree of innovation.
For this variant, the funding rate is also up to 50% for small enterprises and up to 30% for medium-sized enterprises.
The maximum grant amount is €20,000.
Sachsen
The “Digitalization Grant EFRE” funding program of the Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) offers three variants.
The funding is differentiated according to the type of project:
For micro-enterprises implementing digitalization projects for the first time:
- Funding rate of up to 60%
- Maximum grant amount of €10,000
For small enterprises implementing transformation projects:
- Funding rate of up to 50%
- Maximum grant amount of €60,000
For medium-sized enterprises implementing transformation projects:
- Funding rate of up to 35%
- Maximum grant amount of €100,000.
Sachsen-Anhalt
Applications for the “Digital Innovation” program are submitted through the customer portal of the Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt (IB).
The program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant of up to 50%.
The maximum grant amount is €70,000.
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein provides grants for “Digitalization Measures in Small Enterprises (DKU)” through two funding modules.
Module 1:
- Eligible activities include:
- Digitalization strategies
- Process analysis
- IT concepts
- Requirements specifications
- The maximum funding rate is up to 40%.
Module 2:
- Eligible activities include:
- Custom software development
- ERP and CRM implementation
- Customer portals
- Automation solutions
- Cloud solutions
- Digital business processes
- The maximum funding rate is up to 40%.
- Eligible project costs range between €10,000 and €20,000.
The Most Important Principles for Submitting a Funding Application
The development of a custom online configurator can, in many cases, be supported through federal or state funding programs.
The most important principle is: Do not start the project until it has been clarified whether and when the funding application must be submitted.
Define the Project
Create a detailed description of the configurator’s objectives. Define which processes will be digitalized and which specific functions are planned. Include the project timeline and budget.
Check Funding Eligibility
First, verify whether the company meets the requirements of the respective funding program. The following factors should be reviewed:
Obtain a Quote
A detailed proposal should clearly outline the scope of services, individual project components, planned project duration, and total project costs in a transparent and comprehensible manner.
Submit the Funding Application
The application is submitted by providing the project proposal and is supplemented with the required company-related documents.
Wait for Approval
Once the funding application has been approved, the project or development work can begin. Keep all invoices and payment records, and document any changes as well as the progress of the project.
Submit Proof of Use
Once the project has been completed, the required documentation is usually submitted, including invoices, payment records, and proof of implementation.
Afterwards, the grant payment is released.
Note:
The implementation and availability of funding programs are solely the responsibility of the respective federal states. These states may change, suspend, or discontinue funding conditions, budgets, as well as registration and application procedures at any time and without prior notice. Therefore, submitting an application or registration does not create any entitlement to the implementation or approval of funding. The currently applicable regulations of the responsible federal state are decisive.
The 6 Most Common Mistakes When Submitting a Funding Application
Starting the project or development before submitting the application
The contract has already been signed
The invoice has already been paid before submitting the application
Incomplete project description
Insufficiently explaining the digitalization or innovation benefits
Missing deadlines for interim or final project reports
Conclusion: The Right Preparation
With careful preparation and the right funding strategy, the investment costs for developing an online configurator can be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is recommended to assess during the planning phase which funding opportunities are available for the specific project and which requirements need to be met.
We would be happy to provide you with personal advice on your options!