The Ignite Group was founded in 2011 under the name DORUCON with the goal of offering a full service that supports clients from the initial consultation, through the selection of the appropriate funding program, the application process, administration, and payment, to the conclusion. In October 2022, the company relocated its headquarters from Saarbrücken to St. Ingbert, and in May 2023, it merged with the international Ignite Group, which has been operating under the Ignite Group brand since May 2024. "In the current market situation, we observe that startups are particularly struggling, as fewer and fewer funding resources are available," says Dr. Benjamin Hötzer, who studied physics and wrote his thesis at the renowned Fraunhofer Institute in Freiburg. He then earned a doctorate in biophysical chemistry and gathered diverse interdisciplinary experiences.

More than nine years ago, Dr. Benjamin Hötzer started at Ignite as a consultant, where he led the first European project and was instrumental in building the European projects area. "Particularly in economically difficult times, companies rely more on funding," notes the managing director. "However, we believe that companies should also use funding in economically good times to develop the products of tomorrow." Opportunities exist especially in innovative areas such as greentech, mechanical engineering, pharmacy, automotive, medical technology, and health. IT, which often does not fit into classic funding programs, can also be supported through proper application submission.

Quality Leader

The Ignite Group is characterized by a high level of quality. "We see ourselves as quality leaders and commit ourselves as members of the European Business Advisory Association, as well as other organizations, to a strict code of conduct," says Dr. Benjamin Hötzer. "Our full-service approach completely relieves our clients from administrative tasks in the funding process. We work based on success, which means that our success is directly linked to our clients' success. We are only successful if our clients are successful." With over 50 employees and a holistic working approach, the Ignite Group covers a wide range of industries.

The company is an expert in the field of funding and offers customized support for every phase of a project, regardless of the client's experience with funding. The Ignite Group identifies eligible projects, finds appropriate funding, and handles the complete application process and administrative tasks. Their clients are represented in over 20 European countries, including Austria, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. Particularly noteworthy are tax incentives for research and the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which, despite their complexity, offer great opportunities. Data protection and the transfer of sensitive data are important issues.

Increasing the Popularity of Funding Programs

The philosophy of the Ignite Group is based on high expertise and quality: Three-quarters of the advisors hold doctoral degrees and cover a wide thematic spectrum. The company aims to change the mindset regarding funding: It should not be seen as a sign of need, but as a mark of distinction and excellence. This can help keep businesses in Germany competitive and strengthen Europe's position against other markets. Many companies are unaware of the existing funding programs and shy away from the effort involved in applying. This leads to a competitive disadvantage.

"Our goal is to increase the popularity of funding programs and to encourage businesses to take advantage of them," adds the managing director. "We want to raise awareness that funding is not just meant for needy companies but serves as a means to promote innovation and excellence. The research allowance, which has been available for four years, is still unknown to many businesses. We are working to change this and to make the benefits of these programs more widely known." Ignite GmbH is a reliable partner that, with its comprehensive knowledge and experience in funding advisory, supports companies of any size and industry, as well as municipalities, in successfully realizing their projects and enhancing their competitiveness.