Financing Hardware Scaleup

brought to you by:

ondeo (Daniel Dietz)

From prototype to factory: financed, without diluting your equity

Your hardware innovation needs a factory, but VCs are too expensive? Together with our partner ondeo (Daniel Dietz) we make your scaleup bankable and secure the infrastructure financing for your first plant. We analyze your unit economics, optimize the equity-debt split and bring in FOAK financing and subsidies, at discounted startup rates powered by Gateway Factory.

Book a 15-minute discovery call Explore the financing packages

Overview

Bankable financing for your first commercial plant

With Financing Hardware Scaleup you finance your hardware scaling in a bankable way, instead of diluting yourselves expensively through equity. Together with our partner ondeo (Daniel Dietz) we analyze your unit economics, optimize the equity-debt split and identify FOAK financing as well as matching subsidies. From the first assessment to ongoing sparring: you secure the infrastructure financing, without unnecessary dilution.

Daniel Dietz brings deep banking know-how and operational deep-tech experience, including as former Head of Finance at cylib.

The challenge

You have the technology, but the first commercial plant is too capital-intensive for classic VC? This service helps when:

you need to finance infrastructure, machinery or a factory (CapEx), not just running costs
you are building your first commercial plant (First-of-a-Kind), which is too risky for normal banks
you want to minimize the dilution of your founder shares
you don't know which debt and funding options (e.g. KfW, guarantee banks, NRW programs) are realistic
you still need to translate your vision into the language of banks

Sweet spot

Ideal for deep-tech and hardware startups that are technically ready to scale and need to finance their first plant or factory.

Not the right fit

Not for pure VC fundraising without a CapEx need or very early teams without technical readiness.

Service architecture

Modules and deliverables

A modular setup that scales with the needs of the startup.

Package 1

Initial Assessment & Strategy

The goal is a clear financing blueprint.

Review of all documents (business plan, unit economics, strategy)
1–2 workshops to build a concrete financing plan for the pilot/FOAK plant
Deliverables: Pulse Check Unit Economics, Pulse Check Data Room, Preliminary Capital Structure (equity/debt split), Financing Options & Debt Recommendations

Discounted through Gateway Factory

One-time, approx. €3,500, discounted through Gateway Factory terms. Startups in the Ready-to-Scale program can use their €5,000 voucher. Concrete prices and funding share are specified transparently in the offer after the discovery call.

Package 2 | On demand

Execution Sparring

Hands-on support during implementation, billed hourly only when needed.

Sparring in negotiations with banks and funding bodies
Billed hourly, no rigid package
Exclusive focus on Ready-to-Scale teams

The packages build on each other: Package 1 delivers the financing blueprint; Package 2 picks up exactly where execution needs expert sparring, called only when you need it.

Outcomes

What teams gain

Bankable, not just investor-ready

Your numbers and documents speak the language of banks and debt providers.

Less dilution

An optimized equity-debt split protects your founder shares.

A clear financing blueprint

Documented, actionable and the basis for every next step.

Funding built in

Relevant subsidies (e.g. NRW programs) are planned in from the start.

Flexible & on demand

After the assessment you only call sparring when you need it.

Discounted

Thanks to Gateway Factory terms and the Ready-to-Scale voucher.

Process

A clear path from start to outcome

Step 1

10–15 minutes with Gateway Factory

We understand your needs. Book a slot directly via the meeting link or reach out by email: leon.rottmann@gateway-factory.de.

10–15 minutes

Step 2

Discovery call with ondeo

Discuss the status quo and technical readiness with Daniel Dietz.

Step 3

Offer with price and funding share

Gateway Factory provides the offer with transparent price and funding share.

Step 4

Initial Assessment & Strategy

Package 1 creates your financing blueprint.

Step 5

Decision gate

Decide together whether and how to continue.

Step 6

Execution Sparring

Package 2 is optional and on demand: support until the financing is in place.

On demand

Network

Specialists and ecosystem partners

ondeo (Daniel Dietz)

Delivery

Hands-on delivery and sparring for FOAK/CapEx financing, capital structure, debt and funding, with deep banking know-how.

Daniel Dietz brings deep banking know-how and operational deep-tech experience, including as former Head of Finance at cylib.

FAQ

Questions before getting started

What does the entry cost?

Package 1 (Initial Assessment & Strategy) is approx. €3,500 one-time, discounted through Gateway Factory. Unused hours are not billed.

What happens next?

After a decision gate you decide whether to call Execution Sparring (Package 2, billed hourly).

Which phase is the service for?

For teams that are technically ready to scale and need to finance their first commercial plant (FOAK).

Can we use our Ready-to-Scale voucher?

Yes. The €5,000 voucher also applies to this service.

How is this different from classic fundraising?

It's about CapEx/debt financing (banks, subsidies), not pure equity, with the goal of protecting your shares.

Financing Hardware Scaleup

Ready to finance your factory in a bankable way?

Book a no-obligation discovery call to discuss your first plant, financing needs and technical readiness.

Your main contact: Leon Rottmann, Head of Startup Services, Gateway Factory.

Book a 15-minute discovery call

Financing Hardware Scaleup

brought to you by:

ondeo (Daniel Dietz)

Financing Hardware Scaleup

Daniel Dietz brings deep banking know-how and operational deep-tech experience, including as former Head of Finance at cylib.

Enquire about this service