The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) offers three very attractive funding opportunities with its EXIST funding programs: EXIST-Women, EXIST Business Start-up Grant and EXIST-Research Transfer that enable you to prepare for business start-ups with your scientific expertise without financial risk.
Are not bound by any obligation. Within the framework of a funded project in which you (continue to) work at your university, you can determine the marketability of your idea. If you see good chances that your project will be successful, you start your business. If you realize that the market is (still) not ready for your innovation, nothing is lost – you don't have to start a business. The only commitment you make is to submit a business plan or an idea sketch (EXIST-Women) at the end of the project.
EXIST-Women
One goal of the federal government's start-up strategy is to empower women in entrepreneurship and increase diversity in start-up teams. With EXIST-Women, women have the opportunity to familiarize themselves early on with the topic of professional self-employment. For this purpose, start-up support has developed a special program that allows women to exchange ideas in a protected environment about their specific needs and to develop suitable business models. Within one year, they are supported in developing a start-up idea. Funding is available for external support, and events organized by the funding agency ensure networking across regions. Participants without income (e.g., students) can be supported with a scholarship for up to three months.
We at the Start-up Office are committed to encouraging more women to become self-employed or to contribute their skills to existing start-up teams. We are convinced that the female perspective is an enrichment in every respect for the still strongly male-dominated start-up scene and that increased diversity will make an important contribution to our ecosystem around the two universities.
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EXIST Business Start-up Grant
To support innovative technology-oriented startup ideas from universities, the BMWK has launched the EXIST Startup Grant. In this program, a team of up to three individuals receives a one-year stipend, which includes not only living expenses but also material and coaching resources.
A few examples of founding teams that we have successfully supported in the application process will show you the variety of opportunities that these grants offer.
In a coaching session, we will discuss your questions about the EXIST Transfer of Research in detail and work with you to consider how you can successfully submit an application.
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EXIST-Research Transfer
The program, also initiated by the BMWK, aims to promote outstanding research-based projects that require risky development work. Funding is possible for up to three years, with support available for a research team of up to three employees and additionally for a business consultant.
These start-ups have accepted the support of EXIST Transfer of Research in order to transfer their results to industry.
In a coaching session, we will discuss your questions about the EXIST Transfer of Research in detail and work with you to consider how you can successfully submit an application.
