existing pilot projects

The exist model projects are part of the exist program run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Discover the various exist model projects here.

The exist pilot projects expand the exist ecosystem to include new target groups, subject areas, and support approaches. As testing grounds for innovative formats, they address current challenges in the startup ecosystem and develop new ways to provide even more targeted support for science-based startups in Germany.

These include, among others, the existing AI pilot projects in key German AI regions that support particularly innovative AI startups beyond the scope of exist’s regular funding. Additional model projects reinforce exist’s international and diverse focus: The Migrant Accelerator supports international startup talent and immigrant founders in bringing their knowledge- and technology-based business ideas to life in Germany. In this way, the pilot project makes an important contribution to attracting international talent to Germany as a hub for innovation, retaining existing potential, and enabling more science-based startups to emerge from a diverse startup ecosystem. StArfrica – Startup Germany-Africa connects startup teams from Germany and Africa and facilitates their access to the respective startup ecosystems, networks, and markets. With WES+ – Women's Entrepreneurship in Science Women from academia, higher education, and the startup scene are supported on their path to entrepreneurial independence through mentoring, professional development, and strong networks.

Regional transformation processes are also addressed through existing pilot projects: The Schwedt Startup Lab brings together startups, universities, and industry to develop innovative solutions for industrial transformation in Schwedt/Oder and to test future technologies under real-world conditions.

In this way, the existing pilot projects play a key role in unlocking new potential, accelerating the transfer of knowledge, and paving the way From Science to Business open further.

Pilot projects

The Migrant Accelerator

The Migrant Accelerator is a pilot project within the exist ecosystem. It supports founders with a migrant background who wish to start a business in Germany through community-building, mentoring, workshops, and an accelerator program for knowledge- and technology-based startups.

Schwedt Startup Lab

Through the “Startup Labor Schwedt” pilot project, the industrial hub of Schwedt is becoming a real-world laboratory for industrial transformation. Startups with sustainable technologies gain access to regional industry partners, technical infrastructure, specialized expertise, and financing to test innovations for energy and resource efficiency under real-world conditions and bring them to market readiness.

Chemstars

The Chemstars pilot project supports startups in the chemical and chemical-related deep tech sectors by connecting European founding teams with industry-specific mentoring, industry partners, investors, and a robust ecosystem. The goal is to accelerate the sustainable transformation of the chemical industry and support innovative solutions from concept to practical application.

StArfrica

The exist pilot project StArfrica connects aspiring entrepreneurs from Africa with the German startup ecosystem. By supporting science-based startup ideas on their path to the exist startup grant and by promoting exchange, market access, and collaboration, the project helps to more closely connect the innovation ecosystems of both regions.

WES+

The WES+ (Women Entrepreneurship in Science) pilot project empowers women on their path to entrepreneurial independence by providing female students, researchers, graduates, and founders with mentoring, training opportunities, and strong networks. By connecting with universities, companies, investors, and experienced female founders, WES+ helps attract more women to entrepreneurship and successfully bring their startup projects to fruition

AI pilot projects

K.I.E.Z.

AI Startup Rising

AI + Munich

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Startup Factories

The exist Startup Factories connect science-based startups with strong regional networks, universities, research institutions, companies, and investors. They offer access to capital, industry partnerships, talent, and scaling opportunities, making them the ideal launchpad for your startup in Germany.

GCCC

Are you from a non-EU country and looking to start a business in Germany? The GCCC supports international startup teams with existing government funding in connection with visa applications. It reviews documents, certifies the government funding, and can thus play a key role in securing the appropriate visa.