𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁-𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆
Last week, during my visit to ProChile at the Chilean Embassy to catch up, I was pleasantly surprised to receive my diploma for completing the soft-landing training in Berlin. I’m excited to share this picture along with my personal experience.
𝟭- 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 "𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴":
If you plan to manage multiple companies, understanding regulations is critical. Section 181 of the German Civil Code is a great starting point (link in the comments).
𝟮- 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲:
a. UG (haftungsbeschränkt): Minimal capital required (as low as €1), but expect basic setup and running costs to total around €2,000 in the first year.
b. GmbH: More prestigious, requiring €25,000 in share capital.
𝟯- 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Germany’s federal structure means funding accessibility varies by region. Regions focused on deep-tech often offer more non-dilutive funding opportunities—explore options nationwide.
𝟰- 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀:
After registering your company, you might receive fake letters demanding payment for registration fees” even in Germany”. These often look legitimate but have the Bank IBAN details it´s not a German IBAN. Wait for the official letter before making any payments the IBAN Number should start with DE.
𝟱- 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀:
Seek advice from those who have successfully raised funding, scaled companies, and executed exits.
𝟲- 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁-𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲:
Participate in programs that offer guidance on legal aspects, IP, and business development in Germany.
𝟳- 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:
Especially if you’re in biotech, brace yourself for extensive administrative processes.
𝟴- 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀:
Germany offers a research allowance introduced in 2019 for R&D activities, particularly aimed at SMEs. It complements existing project funding opportunities. (contact in the comments.)
I’ve been fortunate to receive strong backing from the Chilean Embassy’s finance office (ProChile) and training through the BetahausX program in Berlin. The mentors and networks we built during these early steps have been awesome! Additionally, we’ve had support to unveil the potential of our Chilean company alongside our growing capabilities in Hamburg.
Germán Vergara Cobo Marina Turshatova Sofía Del Sante D. Natalia Arcos Pino Mateusz Matuszewski
𝗔 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 (𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵):
🌟 Moin (North)
🌟 Guten Tag (Standard)
🌟 Hallo (Everywhere)
🌟 Grüß Gott (South)
🌟 Grüezi (Southwest), Servus (Southeast)
Good luck with your soft-landing in Germany!
#SoftLanding #Entrepreneurship #Germany #Startups #Innovation