No co-payment with an approved voucher
AVGS Startup Coaching
AVGS startup coaching takes you one-on-one from your business idea to a bank-ready business plan. It is for you if you want to start a business and are unemployed, registered as job-seeking, or at risk of unemployment. With an approved voucher, the employment agency or job center covers the cost. Coaching is in German and requires B2 level or above.
Why us
Here's what you get when you redeem your AVGS voucher with nxt milestone.
€0 out of pocket
On the open market, one-on-one coaching through to a finished business plan runs into four figures. With an approved voucher, billing goes directly to the funding body — no co-payment, no repayment.
One-on-one, not a course
You won't sit in a group with twenty other ideas. We work on your specific gaps and run your numbers with you until they hold up.
Bank-ready business plan
A business plan and financial plan in exactly the format authorities, accredited advisory bodies, and banks expect — classic or canvas, whichever your venture needs.
We keep the grants in view
We check which grants and support programmes you qualify for and support the application process, instead of leaving you to figure it out alone.
No pressure to job-hunt
During the program, job applications are generally not the focus, so you can concentrate on your startup. What applies to you is set out in your approval notice.
It doesn't end with the coaching
We continue to support you into the start-up grant or basic income support and stay reachable during the first months after launch. Coaching is held in German and requires at least B2-level German.
The voucher
No money out of pocket. A paid-for coaching program.
The AVGS voucher under Section 45 (1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB III is earmarked for one purpose: preparation for self-employment. It funds advice, not your living costs — that's what the follow-on benefits are for.
On the open market
four figures
One-on-one coaching through to a finished business plan
For you with an AVGS voucher
€0.00
The employment agency or job center covers the cost once the voucher is approved
While receiving ALG I
Start-up grant
Fixed amounts over 15 months: six months of ALG I plus €300, then nine months at €300 each. Requires at least 150 days of remaining entitlement. Handled by the employment agency.
On basic income support
Entry allowance
Amount and duration are set by the job center, up to 24 months. Because nothing is fixed in advance, preparation matters. Funds for equipment are available under Section 16c SGB II.
Process
From voucher to launch
One thing matters most: the funding application must go out before you register your business. Get the order wrong, and you lose the funding.
- 1
Questionnaire and upload
Fill out the form above and upload your voucher. Takes just a few minutes.
- 2
Review and callback
We check the intended purpose and deadlines in your approval notice and call you back by the next business day at the latest. That call sets the scope and focus areas.
- 3
Start within seven to ten days
Your coaching then begins, online from anywhere in Germany or in person in Berlin — a mix of both is also possible.
- 4
Coaching until the plan holds up
One-on-one sessions spread over several weeks, rather than all at once, so you can apply what you learn between sessions.
- 5
Funding application, then registration
The application goes out with an expert opinion attached; once approved, you register your business and issue your first invoice — not before.
Your coach
Over 1,200 startups guided so far. Yours could be next.
We match you with a coach based on your venture, their industry experience, and your priorities. What you get isn't a template — it's someone who works through your numbers with you until they hold up.
“Most people come in with an idea and a feeling that it isn't good enough. Usually it is. What's missing is the math behind it.”
Georg Binienda-Meuser — 1:1 startup coaching, nxt milestone
Frequently asked questions
The short version
Is the coaching really free for me?
Yes. Once the voucher is redeemed, the employment agency or job center covers the full cost of the program, with payment going directly to the provider. No co-payment, no repayment. How the measure value is made up is explained in our guide to AVGS costs.
How quickly can I start?
After you upload it, we review your voucher and call you back by the next business day at the latest. If the intended purpose and deadlines check out, coaching typically starts within seven to ten days.
What needs to be on the voucher?
It must be valid for programs run by an accredited provider and state the purpose "preparation for self-employment" under Section 45 (1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB III. Also check two deadlines in the approval notice: the date by which you must start, and the maximum duration of the program. We review this with you as part of our check.
I don't have a voucher yet. What now?
If you're receiving ALG I, the employment agency is responsible; on basic income support, it's the job center. There's no prescribed format — you can apply in person, in writing, or by email. Whether you get a voucher is up to your caseworker's discretion. Who qualifies is covered in AVGS requirements: who is eligible?, and how the application works in Apply for AVGS: step by step. Start with the eligibility check. If it fits, we'll go through the next steps and the documents you need in a first call.
How long does the coaching take?
The scope is set individually. Short formats are possible, but coaching spread over several weeks with spaced-out sessions works best, so you can put what you learn into practice and discuss the results with your coach between sessions.
Can this be done online?
Yes — online from anywhere in Germany, in person in Berlin, or a mix of both. Recognition of online formats varies by region, so we align the format with your voucher before you start.
Do I still need to apply for jobs during the coaching?
During the program, job applications are generally not the focus — you're working on your business instead. What applies specifically to you is set out in your approval notice, and we'll go through it with you.
What costs are left for me to cover?
The voucher covers the coaching, not the incidental costs of starting up. You're still responsible for the fee for the expert opinion, business registration, and — for corporations — notary and register fees, plus ongoing tax advice. Usually a low three-figure amount, which we'll quote you precisely in advance.
Has anything changed with the basic income support reform?
Since July 1, 2026, Bürgergeld has been renamed Grundsicherungsgeld. Nothing has changed for the AVGS voucher, the entry allowance, or Section 16c SGB II. What has changed is the broader environment: placement into employment takes priority again, and cooperation duties are more strictly enforced. Job centers are asking more often why self-employment is the right path.
You find more answers in our guides to AVGS startup coaching.
Your voucher is ready. So are we.
Fill out the questionnaire and upload your voucher. We'll review it, call you, and you'll start within seven to ten days.
Redeem your AVGS nowThe activation and placement voucher (AVGS) under Section 45 SGB III, the start-up grant under Section 93 SGB III, and the entry allowance under Section 16b SGB II are discretionary benefits. Approval is decided solely by the responsible employment agency or job center on a case-by-case basis. As of October 2026. This page does not replace legal or tax advice.
Our Coaches
Kerstin Buschbeck
People & Culture Coach
Kerstin helps founders build stronger teams, clearer roles, and healthier leadership structures. As an early team member at Rocket Internet and an experienced coach, she brings expertise in leadership, culture-building during growth, and founder-team dynamics.
Till Lagemann
Brand & Founder Coach
Till helps founders build brands with substance and companies that can grow without constant dependence on their founders. As the founder of råbowls® and a brand strategist, he brings practice-tested expertise in positioning, storytelling, automation, and founder resilience.
Paul Scodellaro
Venture Coach
Paul helps founders translate growth into structures, systems, and scalable processes. With over 30 years of leadership experience, he brings expertise in operations, KPI management, M&A, turnarounds, and scalable execution.