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    • Your startup journey begins here

    Global Certification and Consulting Center for International Startup Teams (GCCC), on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)

    Starting a Business in Germany Made Easy.

    Germany is a country full of opportunities—an ideal place to bring your business idea to life. With support programs like the exist Startup Grant, we’ll help you on your journey to launching your own startup.
    The Global Certification and Consulting Center for International Startup Teams (GCCC) is here to support you. We provide guidance, review your documents, and help you navigate the visa application process.

    Take advantage of Germany's excellent research facilities, a strong network, and the opportunity to become part of an innovative startup community.

    GCCC in Detail

    Learn how GCCC promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re an international founder, a government agency, a university, or a startup network, GCCC offers the right information and support to help you succeed.
    Founders
    Find out how GCCC can help you bring your business idea to life in Germany.
    Public Authorities
    Detailed information on the simplified visa issuance process for entrepreneurs.
    Startup Networks
    Learn how your network and its members can benefit from the simplified visa regulations.

    Information on the options and procedures for simplified visa issuance

    About GCCC
    Legal Basis
    Startup Networks
    Procedure
    Services
    Contact

    Global Certification and Consulting Center for International Startup Teams (GCCC)

    On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)

    The Global Certification and Consulting Center for International Startup Teams (GCCC) was established on March 1, 2024, by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as part of the “exist” funding program. This was prompted by an amendment to the Residence Act: It allows non-EU citizens to obtain a visa or residence permit to found a startup in Germany if they receive funding through a startup grant, such as from exist.

    GCCC serves as a central point of contact for German diplomatic missions and immigration and foreign nationals’ offices, on the one hand, and for universities, research institutions, and international entrepreneurs, on the other. In addition to providing advice, GCCC primarily reviews the documentation submitted by startup teams as part of the exist program and certifies other scholarship-based funding programs.

    Legal Basis

    Section 21 of the Residence Act governs the issuance of a residence permit for the purpose of engaging in self-employment. The new paragraph 2b expressly introduces a residence permit for starting a business for recipients of a corresponding scholarship. Such scholarship programs are offered by the federal government and the states.

    In addition to a scholarship that covers their living expenses, the founders must be qualified professionals as defined by law. As a rule, this means they must hold a recognized college degree.

    List of Certified Startup Networks

    The following grant-based startup support programs have been certified by GCCC to date:
    exist Startup Grant
    Learn more about the exist startup grant
    The exist Startup Grant supports students, graduates, and researchers from universities and non-university research institutions who wish to start their own businesses.
    Learn more about the exist startup grant
    NRW Startup Grant
    More about the NRW Startup Grant
    The NRW Startup Grant from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia gives you the opportunity to bring your innovative business idea to life and become part of the regional startup community in North Rhine-Westphalia.
    More about the NRW Startup Grant
    Lower Saxony Startup Grant
    More about the Lower Saxony Startup Grant
    Do you have an innovative, digital, or knowledge-based idea and want to start a business in Lower Saxony, but lack the financial resources? The Lower Saxony Startup Grant supports you during the pre-seed and seed phases.
    More about the Lower Saxony Startup Grant
    InnoStartBonus Saxony Funding Guidelines
    More about futureSAX
    As the central hub for innovation activities in Saxony, futureSAX provides a comprehensive overview of the innovation ecosystem and its stakeholders. Through a wide range of initiatives, futureSAX connects innovators from academia and industry across various sectors, fosters collaboration, and thereby strengthens the culture of innovation in the Free State of Saxony.
    More about futureSAX
    ESF Plus – Funding for Technology Startup Grants
    More about ESF Plus
    A grant for entrepreneurs that supports the establishment of a young, innovative company in promising technology fields in the Free State of Saxony.
    More about ESF Plus
    IFB Innovation Starter
    More about IFB InnoImpact
    Through the InnoImpact funding program, IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH supports ambitious founders and founding teams of innovative social startups during the pre-launch and launch phases with a lump-sum grant. The program supports innovative and public-interest-oriented startups and social enterprises across all industries. The goal is to strengthen Hamburg’s social entrepreneurship scene and to support promising companies along their journey.
    More about IFB InnoImpact
    Hesse Ideas Scholarship
    More About Hessen Ideas
    The Hessen Ideas Fellowship is a six-month program for students and graduates interested in starting a business who are in the early stages of developing an innovative, knowledge-based business idea. It supports startup teams from universities in Hesse as they progress from the initial idea to a validated business concept.
    More About Hessen Ideas

    Contact

    Global Certification and Consulting Center for International Startup Teams (GCCC), on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)
    +49 30 20199-411ptj-exist-gccc@fz-juelich.de
    Dr. Thomas Großmann
    Head of the „Startup Networks“ Division“

    Jülich Research Center GmbH
    Jülich Project Management Organization
    109 Lützowstraße
    10789 Berlin

    Procedures for German diplomatic missions abroad and immigration authorities

    German diplomatic missions abroad (embassies and consulates) and immigration authorities in Germany contact GCCC as soon as they receive applications for a visa or a residence permit. This simplifies processes and speeds up procedures. GCCC promptly clarifies any outstanding questions and provides the necessary documents (letters of confirmation or grant notifications).

    Services

    Services for Colleges and Research Institutions

    Colleges, universities, and research institutions that are approached by international startup teams regarding an existing startup initiative or a similar funding program can contact GCCC for information about the process and the necessary requirements.

    Services for International Startup Teams

    Founders who are not EU citizens and who wish to launch a startup in Germany through “exist” or a comparable funding program can contact GCCC to clarify the necessary requirements.
    exist — From Science to Business
    About the exist programs
    exist supports college graduates, researchers, and students in preparing to launch technology-oriented and knowledge-based startups.
    About the exist programs

    Legal Notice

    Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
    Division VII C 4
    34-37 Scharnhorst Street
    10115 Berlin

    Supervised by

    Jülich Research Center GmbH
    Jülich Project Management Organization (PtJ)
    Support for Start-ups, Technology Transfer, and Innovation
    109 Lützwostraße
    10785 Berlin
    Email: contact@gccc-exist.de 
    Web: www.exist.de