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2 minute read
The BSFZ seal:
Making innovation expertise visible and building trust
For many companies, innovation is a key competitive factor. But in the digital and technological environment in particular, the question often arises: How can innovation expertise be communicated credibly to the outside world?
The BSFZ seal offers a reliable answer to this question. It officially confirms that a company carries out research and development (R&D) activities – and makes this competence visible to customers, partners, employees, and public clients.
What is the BSFZ seal?
The BSFZ seal is awarded exclusively by the Research Allowance Certification Agency (BSFZ). Companies receive the seal when the BSFZ confirms that their projects meet the criteria for research and development and are therefore eligible for the research allowance.
The requirements are:
- Systematic research or development work
- Technological or methodological uncertainties
- The development of new or significantly improved solutions
- The seal is therefore not a marketing label, but official proof of verified innovation performance.
Why the BSFZ seal is relevant for external presentation
Many companies continuously invest in new technologies, software, processes, or platforms—without this innovation being clearly visible to the outside world.
The BSFZ seal creates added value in several areas:
1. Credible positioning as an innovative company
The seal signals that innovation is not just claimed, but has been tested and recognized by the government.
2. Trust among customers and partners
Especially in complex digital, software, or technology projects, the seal creates additional security and credibility.
3. Employer branding & recruiting
Skilled workers can see that they are working on genuine development projects – not just standard implementations.
4. Relevance for public sector clients
In the public sector, proof of research and development expertise can be an important deciding factor.
The research allowance as the basis for the BSFZ seal
The BSFZ seal is closely linked to the research allowance. This government subsidy enables companies to claim part of their R&D costs for tax purposes.The BSFZ does not examine the economic exploitation, but only:
- the degree of innovation
- the technical or scientific challenge
- the systematic development process
Practical example: Successful collaboration between dynabase and Venderion
The collaboration between dynabase and Venderion demonstrates how research allowances and the BSFZ seal work in practice. Venderion supported dynabase in applying for the research allowance. As a result, the development work carried out by dynabase on the Taggel and Mandelbaum.ai projects was recognized by the BSFZ as eligible for research and development funding.
The result: research allowance, BSFZ seal, and a clearly documented innovation achievement for dynabase.
More about the collaboration
For which companies is the BSFZ seal particularly relevant?
The BSFZ seal is particularly suitable for:- Technology and software-driven companies
- Industrial companies with digital or automation projects
- SMEs with their own development capabilities
- Agencies and IT service providers with innovative customer solutions
- Companies with a focus on digitalization, platforms, or data
Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular benefit from presenting their innovative strength in a visible and officially confirmed manner.
Conclusion: Making innovation visible – with substance
The BSFZ seal is more than just formal proof of the research allowance.
It is a strategic tool for positioning yourself as an innovative company.
Anyone who regularly develops new solutions should also demonstrate this competence – in a well-founded, credible, and comprehensible manner.
Innovation deserves visibility.