Non-Dilutive Funding for Startups

​How to Secure Non-Dilutive Funding for Your Startup

​Raising capital usually means giving up equity, but it doesn’t have to. Grants, R&D tax incentives such as Germany’s Forschungszulage, subsidised loans and public co-financing can extend your runway without diluting your cap table. Many founders never use them because they don’t know these options exist, assume they aren’t eligible, or think the paperwork isn’t worth it.

​The Venture Club is teaming up with re:fund, a Berlin consultancy that helps startups get public R&D funding, for a hands-on session aimed at pre-seed, seed and Series A founders.

​José Medina from re:fund will cover:

• ​Which non-dilutive funding options fit your stage

• ​How to tell if you’re eligible, including for refunds on R&D staff costs

• ​How to stack public funding alongside your equity rounds

• ​Common mistakes and how to make applications worth the effort

​Bring your questions. There will be time for Q&A.

​📍 Audi 4, ESMT Berlin
🗓 Thursday, 3 December 2026 · 18:00–19:00