INCUBATOR
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EXIST
Germany's federal grant that turns an early idea into a funded startup — guided every step of the way.
WHY THIS PROGRAM
Turn your innovative idea into a funded startup — Germany's federal grant for students, graduates and researchers.
EXIST is Germany's federal grant for students, graduates and researchers with an innovative idea — a stipend of €1,000–€3,000 a month for 12 months, plus funding for materials and coaching. We're your official host institution, working with our partner university HfWU Nürtingen-Geislingen to run the whole application with you.
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Increase in Engagement
AT A GLANCE
PROGRAM DETAILS
Duration
12 months (funding period)
Format
Online coaching & Nürtingen
Coaching
Coaching: Concept paper coaching + mentor matching
Financing
€1,000–3,000/month stipend + €30k+€5k materials/coaching — free, no equity
WHAT YOU GET
The right support at the right time
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Join our vibrant community
Increase in Engagement
Founders, industry experts, coaches and mentors building things that matter, all in one community.
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Concept paper coaching
Faster Task Completion
We sharpen your concept paper against the four criteria — innovation, market, team and profitability — in English if needed.
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The official route via HfWU
Core User Roles
EXIST can only be filed through a university — we handle mentor matching and the whole paperwork chain with HfWU Nürtingen-Geislingen.
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No fee, no equity
Core User Roles
Free of charge, no equity, no success commission — plus workspace and community once funded.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
THE IDEAL FOUNDER
