EXIST-Startup-support program

The EXIST start-up grant at a glance In this video, our EXIST expert Katharina explains all the important information about the EXIST start-up grant. We ask ourselves the following questions: 📍 What is funded? 📍 Who is funded? 📍 How is funding provided? 📍 Project process If you want to find out more about EXIST, you can find more information in this course or at www.exist.de. Otherwise, you can also contact Katharina directly at: neitzel@gruendungsbuero.info. At the bottom of the player you will find an arrow that you can use to open the chapter overview and jump directly to the points of interest to you.

The EXIST funding program provides a valuable opportunity for academic startups to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses. The EXIST team has conducted nationwide interviews with startup experts to identify key success factors and common mistakes in the application process. These insights can help founders increase their chances of approval.

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1. Key Success Factors for an EXIST Grant Application

1.1. Clear Unique Selling Proposition and Market Understanding

• 💡 The uniqueness of the business idea must be clearly defined.
• 🛠️ A functional prototype should be available to demonstrate feasibility.
• 📊 A detailed market analysis is essential: Who are the competitors? What distribution channels exist?
• 📄 The business model should be well-developed, ideally with initial letters of intent (LOI) from potential customers or industry associations.

1.2. Long-Term Business Development and Entrepreneurial Mindset

• 💰 Beyond product development, the long-term financial viability must be convincingly demonstrated.
• 🚀 The team should be genuinely on the path to founding a business—a pure grant-seeking mentality is often viewed critically.
• 👥 A strong team composition is crucial: skills in sales, marketing, business, and product development should be present.
• 🤝 Additional expertise can be covered through a solid network of mentors and industry contacts.

1.3. Preparation Before Submitting the Application

• 🧪 Teams that have already worked together before submitting the application and have undergone initial stress tests have a higher chance of success.
• 📚 The handling of patents at the university should be clarified early on.
• 🏆 Participation in idea competitions and pitch events is beneficial to receive feedback from mentors, entrepreneurs, and investors.
• 🔍 Early evaluation of EXIST funding conditions: Does the project fit the funding criteria? Is it truly innovative?

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2. Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

2.1. Issues with Team Composition

• 👨‍💻 Many teams have an overly homogeneous background (e.g., all are software developers or business graduates).
• ⚠️ Undefined roles within the team can lead to conflicts and delays.
• ⏱️ Adding new team members at the last minute without prior collaboration can be problematic if the chemistry is off.

2.2. Lack of Customer Understanding and Market Fit

• 🗣️ Many founders have not yet spoken with potential customers and risk developing a product that doesn’t meet market demand.
• 🧑‍💻 The focus is too much on technical development, while go-to-market strategies are neglected.
• 📉 The innovation potential is often overestimated, while market opportunities, competitive advantages, and costs are underestimated.

2.3. Missed Opportunities in Mentorship and Guidance

• ⏳ Teams often seek out a mentor too late, missing valuable guidance.
• 🙈 Startup consulting and customer feedback are not taken seriously enough or are poorly implemented.

2.4. Weak Time and Project Management

• 📅 Lack of planning and commitment leads to unnecessary delays.
• 🗨️ Teams often struggle to clearly communicate their business idea—both as a short pitch (EXIST story) and as a convincing concept paper.
• ✍️ Poor writing and argumentation skills often lead to failed applications.

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3. Conclusion: How to Successfully Apply for EXIST

To successfully apply for an EXIST grant, a clear strategy, a strong team, and a realistic market assessment are essential.

• ✅ Focus on a unique selling proposition and market strategy
• ✅ Think about long-term business sustainability
• ✅ Talk to potential customers early and collect LOIs
• ✅ Build a well-balanced team and use external expertise
• ✅ Find mentors early and participate in competitions
• ✅ Write structured, precise application documents with strong arguments

By following these steps, startups can significantly increase their chances of securing EXIST funding and successfully launching their business. 🚀

LUBIS-EDA:

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Inline Process Solutions (IPS):

With the solution from Inline Process Solutions (IPS), you can detect particles, whether tiny droplets or polymorphic crystal collectives, with the highest precision and in real-time. ARIMOS, our innovative optical imaging sensor technology with AI-based analysis software, makes it possible.

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Viamon:

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Inventied:

Inventied was born from voluntary work in disaster response. Through a research project at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern in collaboration with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the team developed a prototype for its first product: a modular frame system for trucks and trailers. This system allows THW emergency equipment to be permanently and ergonomically stored for immediate deployment in crisis situations. From this initial innovation, Inventied developed a three-pillar business model that strengthens disaster response through product development, consulting, and support in public procurement.

The official EXIST program website offers comprehensive information for students, graduates, and researchers interested in entrepreneurship. It details funding programs like the EXIST Business Start-up Grant, which supports innovative start-ups. The site provides application guidelines, frequently asked questions (FAQ), and the latest news on entrepreneurship. Additionally, it features success stories offering insights into funded projects. For further information and practical tips, various videos and additional links are available. Visit the website to explore all relevant resources for your entrepreneurial journey.

The EXIST Business Start-up Grant assists you in turning your innovative business idea into reality. It targets students, graduates, and researchers aiming to establish technology-oriented or knowledge-based start-ups. The support includes financial assistance for living expenses, materials, and coaching over a period of up to 12 months. Detailed information on funding conditions, the application process, and helpful tips can be found on the official EXIST website. Utilize this resource to successfully navigate your path to self-employment.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection – EXIST Scholarships