EXIST Women

Women often hesitate to put their ideas and dreams into action – we want to change that! With EXIST-Women, the HNU FOUNDERS SPACE and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) offer a 12-month support program that accompanies and empowers you on your path to founding your own business.

Do you already have an idea and are looking for support to make your dream a reality? Or are you still searching for the right business idea? Then apply for EXIST-Women and join an inspiring community of women who share the same goal and want to move forward together.

Key information about the program:

Who is EXIST-Women for?
Graduates, researchers, students (with a bachelor’s degree or at least half of their study credits completed), as well as women with vocational training and a university connection who are interested in becoming self-employed and participating in a 12-month qualification program. Participation is also possible alongside studies or employment, provided the workload does not exceed 20 hours per week. A concrete business idea is welcome but not required. The program also supports ideas that are not research- or knowledge-based, as long as they aim toward future economic activity. Excluded from funding are women who have previously received startup funding from the federal government or federal states. Students and graduates from other universities may also apply – this may make sense if the Founders Space program better suits your current needs or if proximity to Neu-Ulm makes participation more practical.

What does EXIST-Women offer me?

• Participation in a 12-month qualification program for business creation with a strong focus on sharpening your personal vision
• Access to the coworking space at Founders Space for the entire program duration
• Individual coaching through the university’s startup network
• Support from an experienced mentor (entrepreneur, innovation manager, startup supporter, or with a relevant network)
• Access to a nationwide female founders’ network: dedicated events and a community platform for EXIST-Women
• One-time grant for material expenses of €2,000 (e.g., for coaching, travel, or validating your business idea)
• Optional 3-month scholarship if you have no income or work max. 20h/week: €1,000 – €3,000/month(depending on qualification) plus child allowance

How does the program work and what are my commitments?
You will attend irregularly scheduled workshops, regularly take part in relevant events of the local startup network, and meet individually with advisors and your mentor. Because scheduling conflicts or illness can occur, participants commit to attending at least 60% of the workshops and events explicitly designed for scholarship holders. The key events – an offsite with all participants and a final event where you present your results – are mandatory and can only be made up digitally in exceptional cases with special permission.

Some EXIST-Women events at HNU Founders Space are open to a wider audience, but they are still a requirement for completing the program.

EXIST-Women is a program for raising awareness and building skills for entrepreneurship. A particular focus is placed on ideation, self-reflection, vision development, and gender-relevant topics. There is no obligation to actually found a company. At the end of the program, you will present your business idea and your results in a pitch event and summarize them briefly in a one-page final report.

If you start a business during the 12-month program or in a subsequent funding phase – that’s fantastic. But if you prefer to take more time, that’s perfectly fine too – entrepreneurial spirit is needed everywhere!

Where will I be at the end of the 12 months?
Through HNU Founders Space and the nationwide EXIST-Women events, you will know what matters when founding a company. You will have reflected on yourself, your skills, and your working style enough to form a clear picture of your startup potential. You will have met other female founders who share their experiences with you, and the support of your cohort will give you a significant advantage compared to going it alone.

You may have developed a new, viable business idea or advanced an existing one, validated your business model, or made useful adjustments. You will know your next steps and may even have found co-founders or secured follow-up funding.

Where does the program take place?
At the Founders Space of Neu-Ulm University (HNU), both online and in person. In addition, we cooperate with other universities in the region to organize joint events for EXIST-Women scholarship holders. You will also attend some central EXIST-Women events and meet aspiring female founders from all over Germany, including a mandatory multi-day workshop in Munich. In recent years, a nationwide EXIST-Women event has also been held in Berlin.

Who selects the participants?
The EXIST-Women scholarship holders for the year 2026 will be selected by the project team at Neu-Ulm University.

Where can I find more information about EXIST-Women?
On the official website, you can find detailed information about the nationwide EXIST-Women program, all necessary application documents, and updates on topics and events.

Application and Deadlines

• Application deadline: November 30, 2025
• Application process in two phases:
  • Phase 1: You’ll find the link to the registration form in the yellow box below. This page contains all the information you need. A key part of the process is a video application.
  • Phase 2: After the deadline at the end of October, the application process continues in November 2025. If you make it to the second round, you will usually receive an invitation to a personal interview. We may also contact you earlier if we have questions about your application or video.

Good luck with your application!
Take this chance to make your dream come true – we are here for you and will accompany you on your way to becoming a successful founder!