Would you like to join exist Women to further develop your startup idea or discover entrepreneurship? If so, you should apply not directly to exist, but to a university or research institution participating in the program.

List of participating universities

Universities and research institutions select participants independently and support them throughout the entire program. That is why you should contact the relevant local startup network or entrepreneurship center as early as possible.

Whether you’re already working on a very specific startup project or just have an initial idea and want to explore your entrepreneurial potential first, exist Women is here to help you take the next steps.

We should include a link here, if possible, to a list of the universities that have signed up so far. Otherwise, we’ll keep getting questions through the hotline asking whether University X or Y is participating.

exist Women is aimed at women interested in starting a business, as well as future female entrepreneurs from the fields of science and research.

The application process is therefore not solely about a business idea that has already been fully developed.

Instead, the focus is on questions such as:

• Why are you interested in starting a business and entrepreneurship?
• What idea or problem would you like to work on?
• What motivates you?
• What skills and experience would you like to contribute or develop?
• How would you like to use exist Women’s resources to support your personal growth?

Application procedures may vary depending on the university or research institution.

In particular, the following are eligible to participate:

• Female students (who have completed at least 50 credits of their degree program)
• female graduates
• female scientists
• Female employees at universities and research institutions

Even if your idea is still in its early stages, exist Women can be the perfect way to get started in the startup world.

However, an already established corporation (UG, GmbH, or AG) results in disqualification.

The specific application deadlines are set by the participating universities and research institutions, but they often fall in the first quarter of the year.

Since participants are selected on-site, you should find out about the deadlines and requirements for your location well in advance.

Good to know

• Applications must be submitted through the respective university or research institution.
• Space is limited.
• The selection is made by the local startup network.
• The program is currently designed to last ten months.

The process of joining exist Women usually involves several steps.

1. Find a startup network
   Check to see if your university or research institution participates in exist Women. Link to the list of participating universities. If not, choose a participating university or research institution in your region.
2. Get in touch
   Talk to your local startup advisory service, entrepreneurship center, or technology transfer office.
3. Submit an application
   Depending on your location, different types of documentation (written, video, or in person) may be required, such as:
   • Letter of Motivation
   • Description of your idea
   • Brief overview of your background
   • Information about past activities or projects
4. Selection process
   The university or research institution selects the participants for each cohort and enters into participant agreements with them that outline their rights and obligations.
5. Getting Started in the Community
   Once you've been selected, you'll become part of the exist Women community and begin the ten-month training program.

Each participant is paired with a female entrepreneur mentor. This mentor will guide you throughout the program, helping you apply real-world experience to your own development while offering a valuable female perspective. Mentors should be female founders or entrepreneurs, but they may also be alumnae from one of the previous exist Women cohorts.

If you have specific preferences regarding industry experience, professional contacts, or other requirements that involve certainn If the role requires it, male mentors may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Interacting with mentors is an important part of exist Women and provides guidance, inspiration, and honest feedback.

Applications must always be submitted through a participating university or research institution.

Find the right startup network here and learn about the upcoming application deadlines →