Stage Two 2025

Innovation meets Capital

At Stage Two 2025, exist presents itself as a strong partner for research-based innovati-on and as a bridge between science and capital. At Europe’s leading business plan competition for academic startups, exist showcases how public funding and private investment can work hand in hand to strengthen Germany’s startup ecosystem.

exist stands for quality, impact, and sustainability: more than 3,000 supported startups, over 28,000 jobs created, and a startup rate of more than 85 percent demonstrate the programme’s success. Funded teams impress with technological maturity, clear market focus, and long-term growth orientation – qualities that make exist a reliable point of reference for investors.

As part of Stage Two, exist contributes these perspectives to the European innovation dialogue. The “exist X Investor Co-Design Lab: Strengthening Investor Readiness through Collaboration” provides a platform where funding bodies, investors, and startups come together to explore how excellent research can be transformed into successful investments.