5 fatal mistakes made by international entrepreneurs in Germany

Want to start a business in Germany? Congratulations—but beware: the road is full of pitfalls. Non-EU citizens in particular will encounter obstacles at every turn. In this article, we'll show you the five most common mistakes international entrepreneurs make in Germany—and how to avoid them.

1. Waiting too long to submit your application

Many funding programs must be applied for before the company is founded. If you register a limited liability company (GmbH) or sign a lease before submitting your application, you will often lose your entire entitlement to funding.

Better: Let GRINNO check which programs are currently running – and when you need to act. In many cases, a funding roadmap will help you avoid missing the optimal timing.

2. You underestimate the bureaucracy

Germany loves forms. And checklists. And even more forms.

Without German language skills or professional help, it is almost impossible to keep track of everything. Many founders waste weeks with incorrect forms or incomplete documents.

Better: Use tools like GRINNO, which tell you what you need in plain language at the touch of a button.

3. You choose the wrong legal form

UG? GmbH? Freelancer? GbR? Many international founders choose a legal form that does not fit their business model later on. This can be expensive – for example, if subsidy programs only apply to corporations or visa applications fail due to the structure.

Better: Start with a smart needs analysis. GRINNO shows you which legal form is best suited to your funding goals and plans.

4. You don't use advisory services

Germany offers hundreds of free or subsidized advisory services. But many international founders don't know about them – or believe they are only intended for Germans.

Better: Ask GRINNO about advisory centers in your region. Many of them even offer multilingual support or digital formats.

5. You think: “Funding is only available for tech start-ups.”

Wrong. There are programmes for almost every industry – from skilled trades to gastronomy to app development. The only important thing is that your project is well thought out and meets the eligibility criteria.

Better: Describe your project in the GRINNO app. The AI recognizes whether it is eligible for funding – often faster than a traditional consultation.

Conclusion: Mistakes not only cost you time, but often money as well.

You don't have to know everything yourself. With just one message, GRINNO shows you whether your project is eligible for funding, which programs are available, and what you should do next. No waiting. No paperwork.

Get started now: Try the GRINNO app for free