Suche
Baden-Württemberg is cutting subsidies: craftsmen warn of a flood of bureaucracy!
On July 1, 2025, Baden-Württemberg will reform its digitalization funding, which will present SMEs with new challenges.
Baden-Württemberg is cutting subsidies: craftsmen warn of a flood of bureaucracy!
In Baden-Württemberg there will be a significant change in the promotion of digitalization and innovation from July 1st. After the announcement about the cancellation of the subsidy version of the popular “Digitization Bonus Plus” was published on June 30, 2025, the state government is facing a lot of criticism. Rainer Reichhold, President of Handwerk BW, is outraged and describes the step as a clear step backwards for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Schwäbische.de reports on this heated discussion.
The cancellation not only came as a surprise, but also at a time when many entrepreneurs had based their plans on the subsidies. Those affected received the news from L-Bank just four days before the change. Until now, companies have been able to choose between a direct grant and a reduced-interest loan. However, from July 1st, the funding will only be processed through loans, which is causing concern for many companies.
The consequences for companies
The Digitization Bonus Plus had a funding volume of up to 100,000 euros and supported projects in digitization and IT security - from the purchase of laptops to software to AI applications. “Unnecessary bureaucracy and higher minimum amounts are particularly damaging to small businesses, which often do not have the resources for this effort,” emphasizes Reichhold. A clear message for the government: “Improvements are urgently needed here.”
The SPD sees the decision as a “serious mistake” and is calling for a return to the old practice in order to be able to offer real support for smaller companies. Despite the criticism, the reform was announced irrevocably.
Alternatives to funding
Companies looking for support can take advantage of alternative funding options such as the INQA initial consultation. Here, the operational support needs are analyzed and, in the best case, an INQA coaching check can be issued, which can be used to find qualified consultants. The Federal Network Agency provides information about the possibilities and shows how companies can develop their individual solutions.
It remains to be seen how companies in Baden-Württemberg will react to the changes and what ways they will find to continue to master the challenges of digitalization. The coming months will show whether the state government's decision actually brings the hoped-for innovation and support for SMEs or whether it further increases the resistance.