The Future Fund is a central pillar of German innovation funding aimed at supporting the growth of start-ups and technology companies. Significant investments have already been made since its launch in 2021: Ten billion euros are to be invested in total. Here is an overview of the progress and plans for this ambitious programme.
In 2021, Germany launched the Future Fund, a ten-year financing programme with a volume of ten billion euros to make the national startup scene more competitive internationally. This comprehensive package of measures aims to provide technology-orientated companies with the necessary support and promote their development.
Staying on course with billions in funding
Three and a half years after the launch of the Future Fund, it is clear that the ambitious project to promote German tech start-ups has already gained considerable momentum. Although a comprehensive evaluation is still pending, 3.3 billion euros will already have been invested from the fund by the end of 2023. With a further 6.7 billion euros by 2030, the fund will remain a key player in startup financing.
The mechanics: Capital where it works
The state money is currently channelled into eight different building blocks, some of which are invested directly in start-ups and others in venture capital funds. KfW, or KfW Capital, is in charge, and the European Investment Bank also manages two funds. Two further pillars are to be added to the fund landscape this year.
New impetus for 2024
At the beginning of the year, the German government announced that it would be throwing 1.6 billion euros into the pot. This capital will be divided between the ‘direct investment’ and ‘impact investing’ segments, with two further financing instruments already in the pipeline that are to be utilised by the end of 2025.
Leadership role
KfW Capital is coordinating the Future Fund adopted by the German government in 2021. By 2030, around EUR 10 billion will be available for the quantitative expansion and qualitative development of existing financing offers and the development of new instruments. In addition, the ERP Special Fund is making a financial contribution to several instruments of the Future Fund.
Looking ahead
Ten modules with a total volume of over 11 billion euros are already active today. Further modules with an additional EUR 1.75 billion (EUR 1.6 billion from the Future Fund and EUR 150 million from the ERP Special Fund) are already planned. This underlines the role of the Future Fund as a driver in the VC ecosystem in Germany and Europe.
Further information and source:
Second progress report on the implementation of the German government’s startup strategy
