FUNDED

What FUNDED does

FUNDED (legally Innovation Partner GmbH) is a Munich-based consulting and SaaS firm that helps German startups, scale-ups, and deep tech companies secure non-dilutive funding, primarily through Germany's Forschungszulage research grant program and venture debt financing. The company combines fee-based consulting services for grant identification, structuring, and application writing with FundedOS, a cloud-based SaaS platform for grant documentation, time tracking, and compliance management, accessed via a hosted web application at app.gotfunded.de. Its go-to-market is a hybrid B2B motion: direct enterprise sales via scheduled consultations, LinkedIn and account-based outreach, and a self-serve SaaS layer for FundedOS, supplemented by workshops, webinars, and appearances at events such as Bits & Pretzels, Future Tech Fest, and Analytica.

FUNDED targets early to growth-stage technology companies that lack the internal expertise or bandwidth to navigate Germany's R&D funding bureaucracy, including AI, battery, energy, biotech, climate, and SaaS startups. The firm is led by co-founders and Managing Directors Dr. Alexander Paul von Buttlar-Wallot and Maximilian Obring, supported by a 15+ person team with backgrounds at Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Oliver Wyman, and Roland Berger, and alumni of Cambridge, LSE, WHU, and St. Gallen. By 2025 the firm reports having served over 100 clients, supported EUR 300m+ in advised project volume, achieved a 70%+ approval rate on Forschungszulage applications with decisions averaging 56 days, and onboarded 1,600+ users documenting EUR 100m+ in R&D expenses on FundedOS.

The business model blends professional services fees (grant consulting, debt advisory with a network of financing partners, project-based and multi-year contracts) with recurring SaaS subscription revenue from FundedOS. The firm is privately held, operates exclusively in the DACH region, and has built a referral ecosystem with European VCs (Earlybird, Speedinvest, Picus, Antler, AENU, GGF, Motive Partners) and professional service firms (Bird & Bird, Hogan Lovells, RGTH, SKM-IP, SZA, RWTH Innovation). No parent company, subsidiaries, or funding rounds are disclosed.

Name

FUNDED

Legal name

Innovation Partner GmbH

Website

https://gotfunded.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FUNDED is a Munich-based consulting and SaaS firm that helps German startups, scale-ups, and deep tech companies secure non-dilutive funding through Forschungszulage grants and venture debt, combining expert advisory services with its FundedOS documentation platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Grant Consulting and Non-Dilutive Funding Services

NAICS

Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)

Keywords

• Non-dilutive fundraising
• Grant consulting services
• Venture debt advisory
• Research grant applications
• Grant management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich, Bavaria

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Support Consulting: Fee-based consulting services for identifying, applying for, and securing government grants (primarily Forschungszulage). Helps clients structure applications and complete necessary documentation for grant approval.
2. Debt Advisory Services: Advisory services connecting clients with optimal debt financing partners and providing support with due diligences and Q&A processes.
3. FundedOS SaaS Subscription: Cloud-based software-as-a-service subscription for grant documentation, time tracking, and compliance management. Provided as a hosted solution accessible via password-protected web application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FUNDED is a B2B consulting and SaaS company that helps startups, scale-ups, and deep tech firms secure non-dilutive funding (primarily German Forschungszulage research grants and venture debt). The firm combines expert grant application and debt advisory consulting with FundedOS, a proprietary cloud-based SaaS platform for grant documentation, time tracking, expense management, and compliance. The company operates at the intersection of public funders, debt providers, and venture capitalists to enable clients to raise capital without equity dilution.

Product overview

FUNDED offers a dual offering combining expert consulting services with a cutting-edge SaaS solution called FundedOS. The consulting services include Grants (Grant Support Service for identifying and applying to grants such as Forschungszulage) and Debt (connecting clients with optimal debt financing partners). FundedOS serves as the digital documentation and management platform that complements the consulting services, enabling clients to manage grant documentation, track expenses, and streamline the disbursement process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FundedOS: SaaS digital fundraiser solution that helps clients identify non-dilutive funding, apply for grants, prepare documentation, and manage grant application processes. Particularly suited for grant documentation and compliance management.

Products and services

• Grant Support Service Expert consulting service that helps startups, scale-ups, and deep tech companies identify eligible R&D projects, structure grant applications, and navigate the German Forschungszulage process end to end. The service has supported EUR 300m+ in advised project volume and achieves a 70%+ approval rate.
• Debt Advisory Services Advisory service that connects clients with optimal debt financing partners from FUNDED's broad network, supporting due diligence processes and Q&A with providers to secure venture debt on favorable terms.
• FundedOS Cloud-based SaaS platform (FundedOS) that helps clients identify non-dilutive funding opportunities, prepare and apply for grants, and manage grant documentation, time tracking, personnel months, expense tracking, and compliance for disbursement. Used by 1,600+ users with EUR 100m+ in expenses and 20,000+ personnel months documented, accessible via a password-protected web application at app.gotfunded.de.

Quantifiable outcome

• EUR 300m+ in funding raised for clients through Forschungszulage
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• chemstarsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Chemistry and deep tech startup community; co-hosted Insight Session on non-dilutive funding for founders
• Realyze VenturesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Co-hosted webinar on non-dilutive funding opportunities and how to leverage growth with grants and debt
• GateAcademy (Garchinger Technologie- und Gründerzentrum)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Technology and startup center in Garching; FUNDED held workshop on non-dilutive funding instruments for startups
• Gateway FactorycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership established in 2025 for joint webinars and marketing about non-dilutive funding opportunities
• Finance Collective DACHcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership formed in 2025 for co-hosting webinars about non-dilutive funding and growth acceleration
• RGTH Patentanwälte PartGmbBminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Patent attorneys who co-hosted lunch event with FUNDED on protecting and promoting business innovations through government funding
• Bird & BirdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational law firm partner; hosted Lunch & Law event with FUNDED on government subsidies and public procurement law
• Hogan LovellsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal law firm partner mentioned in FUNDED's professional services partnerships
• SKM-IP Schmid Krauß Kuttenkeuler Malescha Schieler Patentanwälte PartGmbBminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPatent law firm partner in FUNDED's professional services network
• RWTH InnovationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcademic innovation center partner; FUNDED sponsored opening of RWTH Innovation's Collective Incubator
• springer | kuss RechtsanwälteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm that co-hosted lunch event with FUNDED on Venture Debt topics
• SZAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm partner mentioned in FUNDED's professional services network, noted as fruitful for clients
• University of Cambridge (CAMentrepreneurs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUNDED hosted Cambridge's CAMentrepreneurs Munich launch event in their new Munich office

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• IFI Claims: UK-based R&D tax credit and grant claims specialist for SMEs. Comparable in service model to FUNDED, with similar positioning on government R&D incentives, though geographically distinct.
• ForrestBrown: UK-based R&D tax credit specialist supporting startups and scale-ups. Comparable as a regional competitor in the same R&D grant/tax advisory category, but serving a different national jurisdiction than FUNDED.
• Alliant Group: US-based tax credit and R&D advisory firm supporting SMBs and startups with specialized federal incentives. Comparable as a specialty R&D advisory, though focused on the US incentive market.

Others

• Coface: European trade credit insurance and debt advisory provider. Comparable as an adjacent financial services firm that supports startups' access to non-dilutive funding via debt — a service line FUNDED also offers.
• Bird & Bird: International law firm with a strong innovation and tech practice in Germany; co-hosts events with FUNDED on government subsidies. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant with overlapping deep-tech startup clients.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global startup accelerator and venture platform connecting corporates with early-stage tech companies. Comparable as an ecosystem partner serving the same deep-tech startup customer base that FUNDED supports.

Direct peers

• Leyton: International consultancy focused on R&D tax credits, innovation funding, and grants optimization with a strong European footprint. Closely comparable to FUNDED in helping startups and scale-ups secure non-dilutive funding through specialized advisory.
• Ayming: Global consulting firm specializing in R&D tax credits, innovation financing, and grants advisory for SMEs and corporates. Highly comparable to FUNDED in service model, target clients, and government-program specialization across Europe.

Broad incumbents

• KPMG R&D Incentives: KPMG's global R&D and government incentives practice serves corporates and growth-stage companies. Comparable as a Big-4 incumbent competing for the same consulting engagements as FUNDED.
• BDO R&D Tax Credits: BDO's German practice offers R&D and innovation incentive advisory as part of a broader audit and consulting portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent entering the same grant advisory space as FUNDED.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gotfunded

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FUNDED