EXIST Women
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE) · Founder programme (women)
$12K€2,000 material budget per founder + up to 3 months stipend at €1,000–€3,000/month (by qualification) + €150/child, within a 10-month programme
Up to 10-month support programme for women from German universities/research institutions with an early startup idea: mentoring, coaching, material budget and optional short stipend.
Key terms
- Apply via a participating university or research institution (institution is the formal applicant)
- Stipend (max 3 months) awarded only to some participants per university criteria
- Target: women students, graduates, researchers with an initial founding idea
- Material funds usable for events, coaching, travel, prototype materials
Eligibility
- Where
- Germany
- Stages
- idea
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- No
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- No
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Women founders only
How to apply
Contact your university's founding network early; they submit the application.
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- Per university intake
- Status
- Open
Verified 2026-10-22 · source