EXIST is a funding programme provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
EXIST is a funding programme provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
This programme aims at improving the entrepreneurial environment at universities and research institutes. It also aims at increasing the number and success of technology and knowledge based business start-ups.
The BMWK supports university graduates, scientists as well as students to this end in preparing their technology and knowledge based start-ups. EXIST also promotes a lively and lasting entrepreneurial culture at public and private universities.
EXIST has been successfully supporting start-up networks, universities and non-university research institutions since 1998.
The aim is to increase the number of innovative spin-offs with the help of start-up support services in teaching, research and administration. Under the umbrella of "EXIST-Gründungskultur", the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has therefore conducted the funding competitions EXIST I - IV (see below) in recent years. Currently, the EXIST-Potentials competition round is underway, supporting a total of 142 public and private universities.
Since 2000, EXIST has also supported university graduates, scientists and students in the development of their start-up projects with financial grants and know-how.