"Hamburg Digital" earmarks EUR 10 million for digitisation of SMEs

SMEs can apply for two funding modules. The "Digital Check" foresees a grant for consulting services during which SMEs develop an action plan for a concept. Around 50 per cent of the consulting costs (maximum EUR 5,000) are subsidised. The "Digital Invest" foresees a grant for investments in hardware, software and external services and covers 30 per cent of the expenses (maximum EUR 17,000). Applications can be submitted to the Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB) immediately.

"This funding scheme provides targeted support to companies that would otherwise be left out of large, elaborate funding models," said Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics. Various consulting services by the IFB and the Mittelstand-Digital-Zentrum Hamburg will also be available. "The switch to new digital processes, systems and business models, which are necessary and have been accelerated by the pandemic, poses challenges for SMEs in commerce, the skilled trades and the liberal professions in particular," said Dr. Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance. Launched during the pandemic, the extension of "Hamburg Digital" comes amid the growing importance of digitalisation, Dressel pointed out.
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