How the German Government Co-Funds AI Consulting: go-digital and Digital Jetzt

A common misconception among small businesses: AI or digitalization consulting is something for large corporations with a matching budget. In fact, Germany runs several government programs that specifically subsidize this kind of consulting for small and medium-sized businesses — you just have to know they exist.

"go-digital" funds consulting on digitalization, IT security and online marketing at 50% of the cost, capped at a daily rate of €1,100 and a maximum of 30 consulting days. The consulting has to be delivered through a consulting firm authorized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs — the only real hurdle, but an easy one to clear.

"Digital Jetzt" targets businesses with 3 to 499 employees and funds concrete investments in digital technology — software, hardware, and the related staff training — with grants up to €50,000, with a funding rate between 40% and 70% depending on company size and region.

In practice, that means: a process analysis showing exactly where an AI assistant or automation genuinely pays off can be delivered through go-digital at nearly half the price. The follow-up implementation — investing in the software itself — can partly run through Digital Jetzt.

The most important advice: get informed before the project starts, not after. Both programs require that funding be applied for before the measure begins — consulting that's already underway or finished can't be subsidized retroactively.