Indo-German Gateway Programme
A structured route from India into the German and European market.
A 12-month internationalisation programme for eligible Indian enterprises — from admission and assessment, through a hosted Germany market-validation visit, to establishment and post-entry market development, anchored at Innovation Hub RheinMain in the RheinMain region.
Indo-German Gateway Programme
An establishment-oriented instrument.
The Programme provides eligible Indian enterprises with conditional, milestone-linked access to market-entry preparation, landing support, establishment facilitation, infrastructure orientation, and institutional networks in Germany — built to convert market potential into a durable commercial presence, not to generate visibility alone. It is jointly constituted by Innovation Hub RheinMain, the German-side originator and landing platform, and GIBA, the India-side implementation and bilateral coordination partner.
Programme Support
Up to
€25,000
Programme Stages
01
Application & Assessment
Months: 1 - 2
Eligibility verification, Review & Assessment by Steering Committee.
02
Pre-Entry Preparation
Months: 3 - 4
Germany-Entry objectives, market mapping, and preparation of the Germany-visit agenda.
03
Germany Market Validation Visit
Months: 4 - 5
Germany-Entry objectives, market mapping, and preparation of the Germany-visit agenda.
04
Establishment in Germany
Months: 5 - 8
GmbH formation coordinated through Innovation Hub RheinMain.
05
Business Development
Months: 9 - 12
Customer, distributor, and partner mapping and market-entry support and execution.
Programme Benfits
Programme Support Value across the full 12-month Programme — a ceiling, not a guaranteed allocation. Conditional, non-cash, milestone-linked support activated progressively as each stage is approved.
As part of the funding structure, enterprises gain a hosted Germany market-validation visit, coordinated GmbH establishment through Innovation Hub RheinMain, and structured post-entry market-development support.
| Component | Support value |
|---|---|
| A. Admission & Enterprise Assessment | Up to €3,000 |
| B. Pre-Entry Preparation | Up to €2,500 |
| C. Hosted Germany Market-Validation Visit | Up to €2,500 |
| D. Germany Establishment (GmbH) | Up to €10,000 |
| E. Post-Entry Commercial Development | Up to €7,000 |
| Total | Up to €25,000 |
What this figure is — and isn't.
The maximum aggregate value of up to €25,000 covers eligible Programme interventions, institutional facilitation, hosted activities, assessments, and approved non-cash support. It is not a cash grant, reimbursement entitlement, transferable financial benefit, loan, equity investment, or amount payable directly to the enterprise. Each component activates separately, subject to continued eligibility, satisfactory participation, milestone completion, and availability of Programme resources.
Who can apply
Established Indian enterprises, SMEs, scale-ups, export-ready manufacturers, growth-stage technology companies, family-owned enterprises, and commercially validated service or product businesses intending to build a sustained German and European presence.
The Programme is sector-inclusive, with policy priority given to:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Automotives & Mobility
- Logistics & Warehousing
- Industrial Automation
- Digital, B2B Technologies
- Life Tech/ Health Tech
- Green Technologies
- Engineering Services
Eligibility
- Legally registered Indian enterprise with substantial economic operations in India
- Validated product/service with commercial traction or credible international delivery potential
- Defined Germany/EU commercial objective — establishment, distribution, technology collaboration, or supply-chain participation
- A nominated senior decision-maker with demonstrated leadership commitment
- Financial capacity to meet company-borne internationalisation costs
- Willingness to complete the mandatory Germany market-validation visit
Selection is competitive and evidence-based, assessed against six weighted criteria. An ordinary minimum qualifying score of 75/100 applies — meeting it does not itself guarantee admission, which remains subject to comparative merit and available cohort capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your Germany journey?
Review the full eligibility criteria and Programme Framework, then begin your Stage 1 application.
Maximum aggregate Programme Support Value of up to €25,000. Conditional, non-cash, milestone-linked support, activated progressively and subject to eligibility, satisfactory participation, approval by the Programme Steering Committee, and availability of Programme resources. Does not constitute a cash grant, reimbursement, loan, equity investment, or amount payable directly to the enterprise. The Programme Framework was approved for implementation by the competent authorities of Innovation Hub RheinMain and became effective on 23 July 2026.
