The EXIST
Startup Grant.
Funding and coaching for founding-ready academic teams.
Context
The EXIST Startup Grant is part of “EXIST – Business Start-ups from Science”, one of the German federal government’s central funding initiatives for spin-offs from universities and research institutions. Through EXIST, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has been promoting a culture of entrepreneurial independence at universities since 1998 – co-financed with funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).
Within the EXIST family, the Startup Grant covers the early stage: it is aimed at founding teams whose innovative, technology- or knowledge-based idea originates from the academic environment and who are still in the run-up to actually establishing a company. For particularly research-intensive high-tech projects with a higher funding requirement, EXIST Transfer of Research offers a more comprehensive module; nationwide, around 250 projects are funded through the two programs each year.
As the startup centre of the HWR Berlin, the Startup Incubator Berlin accompanies founders on their way into the grant – from the first assessment of the idea, through finding a mentoring professor, to submitting the application. This means the EXIST Startup Grant builds on formats such as the Lean Startup Sprint and forms the financial basis for developing a viable company out of a scientific idea.
The program
The EXIST Startup Grant is provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Social Fund (ESF) and serves to realise your own startup idea and turn it into a business plan.
The grant gives founders the financial freedom they need to implement their ideas both technically and entrepreneurially and to prepare a successful market entry. Teams are supported with funds for their personal living expenses, material resources for the project and comprehensive coaching.
What is funded?
- Innovative technology-oriented startup projects.
- Innovative knowledge-based services that are based on scientific findings.
- The company must not yet have been founded.
- The company is accompanied by a professor as a mentor.
Who is funded?
- University graduates and former research staff (up to five years after graduation or leaving the institution).
- Students who, at the time of application, have completed at least half of their studies.
- Founding teams of up to three people. Teams made up mostly of students are only funded in exceptional cases.
- One of the up to three team members can also be funded with a qualified vocational training as a technical staff member, or the degree of one team member may date back more than five years.
How is it funded?
- Securing personal living expenses through a grant: founders with a doctorate €3,000/month | graduates with a university degree €2,500/month | technical staff member €2,000/month | students €1,000/month | child allowance: €150/month per child.
- Material expenses of up to €10,000 for single founders (up to €30,000 for teams).
- Coaching: €5,000
- The maximum funding period is one year.
From A to Z
Your path to funding
Below we outline the ideal process for applying for the EXIST Startup Grant via the Startup Incubator Berlin. For detailed questions about your individual situation, we are always happy to help.
In the first step we would like to get to know you and your project, in order to assess whether applying for an EXIST Startup Grant makes sense and looks promising from our point of view – or whether a different support program would be more suitable.
If your project meets the necessary requirements, we support you, if needed, in finding a mentor and in completing your team.
In the next step we ask you to prepare an outline of your idea, which allows a better assessment of your project.
After a positive preliminary review, we submit the final EXIST application to the project executing agency in coordination with you. Feedback from the funding body can take up to 3 months – so plan enough time.
In the best case, approval then follows and the grant contracts are drawn up. If the decision is negative, there is still the option to revise the application.
Frequently asked questions
Funding & requirements
Who can apply for the EXIST Startup Grant?
Funding is available to university graduates and former research staff (up to five years after graduation or leaving the institution) as well as students who have completed at least half of their studies. Founding teams of up to three people are possible.
Which projects and ideas are funded?
Funding is provided for innovative, technology-oriented startup projects as well as innovative knowledge-based services that are based on scientific findings. The focus is on an idea with a clear degree of innovation that has the potential to succeed on the market.
Does my company already have to be founded?
No – quite the opposite. The company must not yet have been founded at the time of funding. The grant supports exactly the phase before that: from the idea to a viable business plan.
Can I found as a team – how large may the team be?
Yes. Funding is available for founding teams of up to three people. Teams made up mostly of students are only funded in exceptional cases. One of the up to three team members can also be funded with a qualified vocational training as a technical staff member – or the degree of one team member may date back more than five years.
How high is the funding and how long does it last?
The monthly subsidy for living expenses ranges, depending on qualification, between €1,000 (students) and €3,000 (doctorate holders), plus €150 child allowance per child. In addition there are material resources (up to €10,000 for single founders, up to €30,000 for teams) as well as €5,000 for coaching. The maximum funding period is one year.
Besides living expenses, are there also material and coaching funds?
Yes. In addition to the grant for securing personal living expenses, there are material expenses of up to €10,000 for single founders (up to €30,000 for teams) as well as €5,000 for coaching. This allows you to advance your project both technically and entrepreneurially.
Application & support
Do I need a mentor?
Yes. The project is accompanied by a professor as a mentor. If you do not yet have a connection to a university, we support you in the search.
What role does the Startup Incubator Berlin play?
As the startup centre of the HWR Berlin, the Startup Incubator Berlin accompanies founders on their way into the grant – from the first assessment of the idea, through finding a mentoring professor, to submitting the application to the project executing agency. Together we check whether EXIST is the right path, and we are at your side throughout the entire process.
How does applying through the Startup Incubator Berlin work?
In an initial conversation we get to know you and your project and check whether EXIST is the right path. We then accompany you step by step – from the outline of your idea, through the preliminary review, to the submission of the final application to the project executing agency (see “Your path to funding”). Feedback from the funding body can take up to three months.
By when can I apply?
Applications are possible on a rolling basis – in the current ESF Plus funding period until the end of 2027. Since preparation takes time and feedback from the funding body can take up to three months, it is worth getting in touch early.
What happens after the funding ends?
The Startup Grant covers the early stage up to founding the company. For particularly research-intensive high-tech projects with a higher funding requirement, EXIST Transfer of Research offers a more comprehensive follow-up module. Beyond the grant, too, the Startup Incubator Berlin supports you in developing your project further and taking the next steps.
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