The state chips in. Which programmes subsidise AI and digitalisation for SMEs, short and with a source.
The benefit of AI is obvious, but the investment has to be justified internally: to the co-owner, to the board, to yourself. „Funded" is then the argument that ends the discussion. The catch is that the funding landscape is a jungle: programmes expire, the lists online are a year old, and half of it is no longer accurate. Below is what actually runs in July 2026, each with the official link to check it yourself.
A subsidy towards the cost of a consulting engagement, including digitalisation topics. As a rule 50 percent of the consulting costs on a calculation base of 3,500 euros, so up to 1,750 euros per engagement (as of July 2026). Up to five engagements per company, no more than two per year.
Important: the application must be filed before the consulting starts. Nothing is granted retroactively. The directive runs until 31 December 2026.
Official BAFA page ↗80 percent of the cost for up to twelve coaching days, funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. For SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, based in Germany, at least two years on the market, annual turnover no more than 50 million euros. Aimed at improving work processes with the help of digital technologies.
Access: a free initial consultation at a regional INQA advisory centre, then a coaching voucher.
Official INQA page ↗Around 30 centres nationwide, free of charge and vendor-neutral, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs. AI trainers help with workshops, on-site visits and test-before-invest to get started with AI. No application needed, it is enough to contact a centre.
mittelstand-digital.de ↗Through its Digitalisierungsfinanzierung, the state bank L-Bank offers a low-interest loan plus a repayment subsidy for digitalisation and AI projects between 25,000 and 250,000 euros. Application goes through your house bank. Every federal state has its own programmes, this is just one example, so check what your state offers.
L-Bank Digitalisierungsfinanzierung ↗An initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, with two modules. Consulting: 80 percent, up to 3,000 euros. Implementation: 30 percent, up to 6,000 euros. The eligible topics include AI and IT security.
kmudigital.at ↗Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) funds digitalisation projects on top of KMU.DIGITAL, with grants in the range of up to around 50,000 euros. On top of that come the funding programmes of the individual federal provinces.
aws.at ↗Switzerland mainly funds innovation and research, less so classic consulting. The Innosuisse innovation cheque grants up to 15,000 CHF for a first research project with a university, also suitable for AI pilot projects. Larger undertakings run through Innosuisse innovation projects. In each case the condition is an academic research partner (university of applied sciences, ETH, EPFL or a university).
innosuisse.admin.ch ↗There are also cantonal programmes and innovation vouchers. As these vary strongly by canton, it is worth checking the economic-development office of your own canton.
Part of the EU Digital Europe Programme. The hubs are one-stop shops that help SMEs get started with AI. Because they are publicly funded, the services are usually free of charge for companies. Four core services: test before invest, training, support in finding financing, and networking. For 2026 the network was renewed with a reinforced AI focus.
EU EDIH network ↗We are not funding consultants and we do not file applications. What we do: shape the project so that funding is possible in the first place (application before the project starts, a clean split between consulting and implementation), and deliver the project documents you need for the application. You file the application yourself, with a funding consultant, or through the free contact points listed above. That way the funding stays your advantage and we focus on what we are good at.
Funding programmes change constantly: budgets are finite, deadlines shift, rates get adjusted. This overview is orientation, not funding advice and not legal advice. Always check the exact terms via the linked official body before you rely on them or file an application.