Funding
INQA Coaching
INQA Coaching supports the introduction of AI and digitalisation in small and medium-sized enterprises with a grant of up to 80 per cent — up to €11,520 for 12 days of consultancy. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) using funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).
As of: Juli 2026 · Source: official programme page · Binding only after individual review.
- ✓BMAS-autorisiert
- ✓BAFA-zertifiziert
- ✓DSGVO-konform
- ✓Sitz in Schwerin
New · Certified INQA Coach 2026–2027
Calculate your own contribution
Choose the number of coaching days — total budget, grant and own contribution adjust live.
Example for a business with 22 employees: recommended fee of €14,400, of which €11,520 is covered by the grant (80 per cent) and €2,880 is the client’s contribution. The actual amount depends on the number of coaching days agreed.
Who is eligible?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with their registered office and place of business in Germany, at least one full-time post subject to social security contributions, and fewer than 250 employees. Annual turnover must not exceed €50 million (or the annual balance sheet total must not exceed €43 million). The company must have been operating on the market for at least two years. Self-employed professionals and charitable organisations are also eligible for funding.
Requirements — check for yourself
0 of 4 points checked
Not every point has to apply 100% — we'll clarify edge cases together in a free initial consultation.
The process, step by step
Free initial consultation
A regional INQA advisory centre will work with you to check whether your business meets the eligibility criteria for funding.
INQA Coaching Voucher
Once your application has been approved, you will receive the coaching voucher to redeem with an authorised INQA coach.
Coaching in the workplace
Up to 12 coaching days over a period of up to 7 months, delivered directly at your workplace.
Final meeting
Around 3 to 6 months after the coaching programme ends, we will review the success of the implementation together.
Why bettersorted as a partner?
Authorised & certified
Officially authorised INQA coach (BMAS) and BAFA-certified consultant — we know the funding landscape inside out.
AI in practice
We don’t just advise – we build the solutions ourselves: workflow automation, GDPR-compliant document search (RAG), CaraChat and automaisa.
GDPR & Data Sovereignty
Open-source first, hosted in the EU/Germany — your data stays where it belongs.
With strong regional roots
Based in Schwerin, active throughout Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania — and here for you across Germany.
Official proof
Autorisierungsurkunde als INQA-Coach im Programm INQA-Coaching, ausgestellt vom Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)
What bettersorted handles
bettersorted is an authorised INQA coach. We help you liaise with the counselling service, carry out the coaching ourselves and support you right through to the final review.
INQA Coaching compared
Depending on your business, a different programme may fit better. A quick overview of our other funding programmes.
| Programme | Funding rate | Max. funding amount | Own contribution from |
|---|---|---|---|
| INQA Coaching (this page) | 80 % | 11,520 € | 2,880 € |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Digitalisation Fund (TBI) | 50 % | — | — |
| BAFA consultancy funding | 80 % | 2,800 € | 700 € |
AI consultancy
bettersorted’s AI consultancy uses a structured process to identify which processes within your business are suitable for automation, and concludes with a concrete implementation plan rather than a mere list of ideas. The consultancy is BAFA-approved and is eligible for up to 80 per cent funding via INQA Coaching.
ReferenceDRK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Strategische KI-Einführung
Frequently asked questions
How much does INQA coaching cost for my company?
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Maximum net contribution of approximately €2,880. The total budget of up to €14,400 (12 days of consultancy) is subsidised at a rate of 80 per cent from ESF+ and BMAS funds.
Who can apply for INQA coaching?
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SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, based in Germany, with at least one full-time employee subject to social security contributions and an annual turnover of up to €50 million — including craft businesses, the liberal professions and charitable organisations.
Where do the grants come from?
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Funded by the EU’s European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus), co-financed by the BMAS. Unused funds will lapse — the programme will run for the rest of this year and next year.
Do I have to pay in advance?
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Yes, the grant will be reimbursed once the project has been successfully completed. We’ll explain exactly how this works during our initial consultation.
What issues can be addressed in coaching?
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Digitalisation of business processes, AI implementation, work organisation, digital business models, securing a skilled workforce — the scope is tailored to your needs.
Is the application complicated?
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There are a few steps involved — but that’s exactly where we’re here to support you: from the initial consultation through to the IBS and the coaching voucher.
Does this also apply outside Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
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Yes, INQA Coaching is a nationwide programme. Whilst our main focus is on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, we support companies throughout Germany.
A 30-minute conversation, free of charge.
A 30-minute consultation, free of charge. We’ll take a look at your processes and give you our honest opinion on whether automation is worthwhile.