Are you interested in starting a business, innovation, or entrepreneurship? exist Women helps women explore their entrepreneurial potential, develop their own ideas, and embark on a journey into the world of startups.

The program is aimed at women from universities and research institutions who are interested in starting a business. You should already have an initial business idea.

The focus is on professional development, networking, mentoring, and interacting with other female founders and role models from the startup and innovation scene.

That’s how exist Women helps you turn your initial ideas and motivation into concrete plans for starting a business – From Science to Business.

exist Women is aimed at women who want to delve deeper into the world of starting a business and entrepreneurship.

The program is suitable for:

• female students
• female graduates
• female scientists
• Women with initial startup ideas
• Women interested in entrepreneurship and innovation
• future female entrepreneurs from the fields of science and research

Even if your idea is still in its early stages, you can apply to a participating university or research institution.

The focus is on:

• your entrepreneurial skills
• Developing Your Entrepreneurial Personality
• further developing your idea, e.g., creating initial prototypes
• Market Analysis and Validation
• the development of a resilient business model
• building networks
• Interaction with mentors and role models
• Navigating the Startup Ecosystem
• Preparing for potential next steps in the startup process

Far fewer women than men are still starting startups, even though the potential of highly qualified women in science, research, and innovation is enormous.

exist Women aims to help attract more women to entrepreneurship and raise the profile of female founders in Germany.

The program does the following:

• safe spaces for exchange and networking
• Access to female mentors and role models
• entrepreneurial training
• greater visibility for female entrepreneurship
• Connections within startup and innovation ecosystems

This creates a community that supports and encourages women on their journey to starting a business.

Throughout the program, which lasts up to ten months, you will receive guidance and support through a variety of activities.

These include, among other things:

• personalized support from the startup network
• Mentoring with an experienced business mentor
• Participation in business workshops and events
• Access to startup communities
• Access to the exclusive exist Women Community platform
• Support in further developing your idea
• Help finding co-founders
• Preparation for potential follow-up funding
• Networking with other participants

The goal is not only to develop a business idea, but also to strengthen your entrepreneurial mindset.

Events and networking opportunities are an important part of exist Women. They provide a space for learning, sharing ideas, and making new connections within the startup community.

For female founders, this includes, in particular:

• The exist Women Founders Forum (optional, 1 day in Berlin)
• The „Female Entrepreneur“ seminar (required seminar, 2 days of in-person instruction in Berlin or Munich)
• Interaction with mentors and approachable role models
• Digital exchange and networking platforms, including those for applying for follow-up funding such as the exist Startup Grant and the exist Research Transfer Grant

Events organized by the local startup network: Many participants find the opportunity to connect with other women in the startup community particularly valuable.

exist Women helps you develop your idea and take the first steps toward launching a startup. During the program, you’ll also create a personalized startup roadmap outlining the next steps for the period after the program ends.

These include, for example:

• identifying and applying for appropriate funding and financing opportunities
• the creation of a business plan
• if necessary, expanding your founding team
• More tasks to complete on the way to market launch

The specific details will be worked out in collaboration with your university or research institution.

exist Women provides each funded female entrepreneur with €2,000 in in-kind support.

The funds can be used, for example, for:

• Event registration fees
• additional coaching
• Travel expenses
• Materials for prototypes
• technical equipment

The use of the funds will be planned in collaboration with the startup network and your mentor.

Some participants may also be eligible for a scholarship of up to three months. The criteria for this are determined by the universities. The amount of the scholarship depends on the participant’s status:

Female students (whether pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree): 1,000 euros

With completed vocational training: 2,000 euros

Female graduates: 2,500 euros

Ph.D. graduates: 3,000 euros

In addition, there is a child allowance of 150 euros per child for each month of the scholarship.

exist Women is a support program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) Plus. The ESF Plus is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds. For more information, visit https://www.esf.de/.

With this program, the federal government is sending a clear signal in support of greater female participation in the startup and innovation landscape.

Universities and research institutions with startup networks that have established support programs for female founders or wish to expand such programs are eligible to apply. We therefore encourage you to contact your university or research institution early on to learn more about participating in exist Women.

exist Women combines professional development, community, and personal growth.

You'll benefit from:

• a strong network
• personalized support
• experienced mentors
• Exchange with other female founders
• greater visibility within the startup community
• Access to the German innovation ecosystem

For many participants, exist Women is the first concrete step toward entrepreneurship and starting a business.

This is how exist Women helps you turn ideas, perspectives, and research into business opportunities – From Science to Business.