EXIST-Women: Targeted support for female founders

With EXIST-Women, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection supports women at universities and research institutions who are interested in setting up a business in the phase prior to founding a company, particularly in the development of their entrepreneurial personality and the further development of their startup idea.

Female graduates (graduation can be more than 5 years ago), academics, students (Bachelor's degree or ≥ half of the coursework completed) and women with vocational training and a connection to the university who are interested in the topic of startups and want to take part in a 9-month qualification program. Participation is also possible while studying or working. A concrete startup idea can, but does not have to exist. Funding is also available for ideas that are not based on knowledge or research, but are geared towards later commercial activity. Women who have already received startup funding from the federal or state governments are excluded from funding.

• Participation in our 9-month EXIST-Women Incubator
• Individual coaching by the startup consultants at CEDUS
• Entrepreneurial support from a mentor
• Nationwide network of female founders
• One-off funding of €2.000* (e.g. for coaching, travel expenses or validation of your startup idea)
• optional 3-month scholarship if you have no income or work max. 20 h/week €1.000 - €3.000/month (depending on qualifications) + child supplement*

*The budget freeze unfortunately leads to complications in the distribution and administration of funding, i.e. we can currently only guarantee a 2-month scholarship. Furthermore, the material expenses must be spent by mid-February. With a timely release of the budget freeze, the scholarship will of course be extended to three months.

You take part in the events organised by EXIST-Women and our EXIST-Women Incubator at CEDUS. EXIST-Women is a startup sensitisation and qualification measure. There is no obligation to start a business. At the end of the programme, you will present your startup idea and the results you have achieved in a short and concise one-pager. If you set up a company during the 9-month qualification phase or during subsequent startup support - great. But if you want to take more time with your startup, that's fine too, because entrepreneurial spirit is needed everywhere!

By completing our EXIST-Women Incubator programme, you will learn what is important when setting up a company and how it works. You will also get to know other female founders who will share their experiences of starting a business with you. You were able to develop a new, viable startup idea or further develop your existing idea and validate the business model. You know the next steps for your own startup and may even have already found co-founders or raised follow-up funding.

As an HHU institution, we are required to give preference to women who have a connection to HHU when applying. However, applications are also open to external applicants.

First, fill out the application form on our website and send it to cedus(at)hhu.de. The application deadline for 2026 batch is 25 January 2026. If you meet the requirements for EXIST-Women, we will invite you to meet us in person at CEDUS. The personal meeting will probabl take place from 3 to 11 February 2026. The aim of this meeting is to get to know you, your motivation and your startup idea even better. You will then find out shortly afterwards whether you have made it into the third batch.