Summary English

EXIST is a support programme of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) aimed at improving the entrepreneurial environment at universities and research institutes and at increasing the number of technology and knowledge based company formations. The EXIST programme is part of the German government’s “Hightech Strategy for Germany” and is co-financed by funding of the European Social Fund (ESF).

The EXIST programme includes three programme lines:

1. The EXIST programme line "Culture of Entrepreneurship" promotes projects at universities and non-university research institutes aimed at providing skills and support for technology and knowledge-based company start-ups. In support of these activities, universities and research institutes receive a non-repayable grant over a three-year period.

The projects may include measures geared towards the following activities:

2. The EXIST programme line "Business Start-Up Grants" supports the preparation of innovative business start-up projects at universities and research establishments.

The grant aims to help scientists, university graduates and students develop their business ideas into business plans and to advance their ideas for products and services. To cover their living expenses, the entrepreneurs receive a grant between 800 to 2,500 euro per month, depending on their degree, for a maximum period of 12 months. In addition, they receive materials and equipment (worth 10,000 euro for solo start-ups and 17,000 euro for team start-ups), funding for coaching (5,000 euro) and, if necessary, child benefit of 100 euro per month and child. The university or non-university research institute offers them infrastructure during the pre-start-up phase and provides technical and start-up-related assistance.

3. The EXIST programme line "Transfer of Research" promotes especially sophisticated technology-based business start-up projects in the pre-start-up and the start-up phase. EXIST “Transfer of Research” complements the broadly targeted EXIST “Business Start-Up Grants” with an excellence-oriented measure for high-tech start-ups.

The purpose of the first funding phase is to support research teams at universities or research institutes so as to enable them to provide proof for the technological feasibility of their product idea and to prepare the business start-up. The funding includes staff expenses for up to three staff members and 50,000 euro for materials and equipment. After one year, funding is available for another person with managerial skills to become a member of the start-up team later. The maximum funding period is 18 months in the pre-start-up phase.

During the second funding phase, the newly founded technology-oriented companies can be supported with up to 150,000 euro to continue the product design, for instance up to the prototype realization and to be able to solicit external funding for their company.

Applications for all programme lines are to be submitted to the respective university or research institute.