Von der Idee zur Gründung – mit EXIST-Women in 2025 durchstarten

With EXIST-Women The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection supports women at universities and research institutions who are interested in setting up a business in the phase prior to founding a company, particularly in the development of their entrepreneurial personality and the further development of their start-up idea.

Who can take part?

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen: Female students (in their Master's degree or who have completed more than half of their Bachelor's degree), graduates (the degree can also have been completed more than 5 years ago), female academics, female employees and women with vocational training and a connection to the university who are interested in the topic of start-ups and would like to take part in a qualification programme lasting several months. Participation is therefore not only possible while studying but also while working (for female employees up to 0.5 job). A grant can be awarded to bridge a period of three months during which either no income is earned or a maximum of 20 hours per week are spent in gainful employment. A simultaneous combination of the 3-month EXIST-Women grant with another funding programme to finance living expenses, such as BAföG, unemployment benefit or citizen's allowance from the Federal Employment Agency, is excluded. A concrete start-up idea may or may not exist. Funding is also available for ideas that are not based on knowledge or research but are geared towards subsequent commercial activity. Women who have previously received start-up funding from the federal or state governments are not eligible for funding. The foundation of a corporation and/or the commencement of business activities must not have taken place before the start of participation.

What is on offer?

Participation in a qualification programm for setting up a business lasting several months

Individual coaching from the university's start-up network, entrepreneurial support from a mentor and a nationwide network of female founders

One-off funding of €2,000* (e.g. for coaching, travel expenses or validation of the start-up idea)

a 3-month scholarship of €1,000 - €3,000/month (depending on qualifications) + child allowance (if no income is earned or max. 20 h/week is worked)

What is expected?

Teilnahme am Intensivprogramm über einen Zeitraum von 4 Monaten (Arbeitsaufwand ca. 3h/Woche voraussichtlich von April bis Juli 2025) in Form von mindestens sieben Sprints (theoretische Trainings durch Wissensvermittlung & Praxisanteile in Form einer Hausaufgaben und Reviews)

Regular attendance of relevant seminars and events organised by the start-up network and the funding provider (the latter is mandatory)

Participation in appointments for individual counselling by the mentors

At the end of the qualification programme, which lasts several months, a one-pager is submitted in which the start-up idea and the results developed are presented briefly and concisely
(there is no obligation to found a company)

Weitere Informationen zu EXIST-Women: www.exist.de/EXIST/Navigation/DE/Gruendungsfoerderung/EXIST-WOMEN/EXIST-WOMEN/exist-women.html

Wo findet das Programm statt und wie kann ich teilnehmen?

The intensive phase is offered online in cooperation with the University of Greifswald and the universities of Stralsund and Neubrandenburg. Further seminars and events organised by the local start-up network can be attended at the respective university location. There is also the opportunity to take part in up to four centrally organised EXIST-Women events (participation is compulsory once) in order to improve the networking of prospective female founders from all over Germany. Jetzt heißt es bewerben! Hier geht es zum jeweiligen Hochschulstandort für das Jahr 2025: