Partner

Once exist funding comes to an end, the focus typically shifts to the next phase of development: growth, financing, and access to new markets. The exist Startup Factories play a central role in this: They strengthen regional startup ecosystems, connect science-based founding teams with investors, companies, and international partners, and create optimal conditions for scaling innovative business models.

exist Startup Factories

Discover the exist Startup Factories—a springboard for knowledge-based startups in Germany. Your gateway to robust ecosystems, research, capital, industry partners, and international networks.

Learn more here

Other options

In addition, other programs and tools offered by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy may be of interest.

de:hub

The de:hub initiative connects startups with small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, and the academic community.

German Accelerator

The German Accelerator helps companies enter international markets.

HTGF

HTGFs offer financing opportunities for technology-focused startups.

DeepTech & Climate Fund

The DeepTech & Climate Fund offers financing opportunities for climate and deep tech.

Federal Funding Assistance

The Federal Funding Advisory Service provides information on all federal funding opportunities.

INVEST

INVEST supports the mobilization of private venture capital.

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

exist Update

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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.

Events

Whether it’s a workshop, trade show, networking event, or industry conference: Check out the event calendar for events related to startup founding, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Take this opportunity to make valuable connections, raise the profile of your startup, exchange ideas with other founders, or learn more about the funding opportunities available through exist.