EXIST
EXIST is a German federal government startup funding program, operated by BMWE and implemented by Forschungszentrum Jülich, that provides non-dilutive stipends, coaching, and grants to students, graduates, and researchers spinning out science-based and deep tech ventures from German universities and research institutions, distributed through 100+ university networks and ten regional Startup Factories.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What EXIST does
EXIST is a German federal government startup funding program operated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), established in 1998 and headquartered in Berlin. Its purpose is to support the transition of scientific ideas, research results, and deep tech innovations into market-ready companies, serving students, graduates within five years of graduation, researchers, and founding teams drawn from German universities and non-university research institutions. The program operates a multi-tiered structure: exist Gründungsstipendium (monthly stipends of €1,000–€3,000 over up to 12 months plus coaching and materials budgets), exist Forschungstransfer (up to €250,000 in non-dilutive funding across two phases for research-intensive deep tech, spanning up to 36 months), exist Women (mentoring, qualification, and stipends targeted at female entrepreneurs), exist Modellprojekte (pilot projects covering AI, migration, Africa-Germany exchange, chemistry, and regional industrial transformation), ten exist Startup Factories (regional public-private innovation hubs), and GCCC (visa certification for non-EU founders). Outreach and application handling are routed exclusively through Germany's network of more than 100 university startup networks (Gründungsnetzwerke) and the Startup Factories.
Program implementation is contracted to Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH as project carrier, with strategic guidance from a 16-member expert Advisory Board constituted in March 2022 under Prof. Dr Friederike Welter. Funding is provided by BMWE with co-financing from the European Social Fund. There is no proprietary technology product; EXIST's "platform" is its institutional infrastructure, stipends, grants, coaching budgets, and quality-seal signaling effect. Reported outcome metrics include an 86%+ founding rate among funded teams, ~80% five-year survival rate, and 3,000+ stipends awarded since 2007. Named beneficiaries span AI (Tentris, TalentNet.AI), sustainability / water treatment (Porelio), climate / construction (Co-reactive), HR tech, and chemistry deep tech.
The business model is government expenditure, not revenue generation: EXIST disburses public funds rather than charging customers. Pricing is structured as monthly stipends scaled to applicant qualification (students €1,000/month; vocational graduates €2,000/month; higher-education graduates €2,500/month; doctorate holders €3,000/month) with a €150/month child supplement, €30,000 materials budget per team, and €5,000 coaching budget. Distribution occurs entirely through institutional channels — university startup networks, research transfer offices, ten regional Startup Factories, and international support programs such as GCCC — making the go-to-market community- and sales-led via public-sector intermediaries.
EXIST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EXIST
- Legal name
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)
- Website
- https://exist.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- EXIST is a German federal government startup funding program, operated by BMWE and implemented by Forschungszentrum Jülich, that provides non-dilutive stipends, coaching, and grants to students, graduates, and researchers spinning out science-based and deep tech ventures from German universities and research institutions, distributed through 100+ university networks and ten regional Startup Factories.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EXIST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Startup Funding Programs
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where EXIST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
EXIST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding Distribution: EXIST is a government expenditure program that provides financial support to science-based startups. It does not generate revenue. The program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | exist Gründungsstipendium - Monthly stipends for founding teams over 12 months |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
EXIST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EXIST is a German federal startup funding program that provides non-dilutive grants, stipends, coaching, and mentoring to science-based and research-driven founders from universities and non-university research institutions. It is operated on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and implemented by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, with co-financing from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its portfolio spans multiple sub-programs covering early-stage founder scholarships, research-transfer projects, women founders, model projects, and regional startup factories.
Product overview
EXIST is a comprehensive startup funding program by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) that supports the transition of scientific ideas, research results, and deep tech innovations into successful startups. The program operates as a multi-tiered ecosystem comprising: exist Gründungsstipendium (startup grants for early-stage founders), exist Forschungstransfer (research transfer funding for complex deep tech projects), exist Women (female entrepreneurship support), exist Modellprojekte (pilot projects for new approaches including AI, migration, and sustainability), exist Startup Factories (regional innovation hubs), and GCCC (visa support for international teams). The program combines financial support with coaching, mentoring, university infrastructure, and access to Germany's startup ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EXIST Gründungsstipendium: Funding program for students, graduates, and researchers from universities and research institutions in the pre-founding phase
- EXIST Forschungstransfer
- EXIST Women
- EXIST Modellprojekte
- Startup Factories
- GCCC
Products and services
- EXIST Gründerstipendium Non-dilutive scholarship program that supports individual founders and small teams from universities and research institutions in developing their startup ideas, covering living expenses, materials, and coaching costs.
- EXIST Forschungstransfer Grant program that funds the resource-intensive development phase of research-based startup projects, including proof of concept, prototype development, and preparation for market entry.
- EXIST Women Dedicated funding and support program for women scientists and researchers founding technology- or science-based startups from universities and research institutions.
- EXIST Modellprojekte Project funding for universities and research institutions to develop and test innovative model concepts for supporting science-based startups and improving startup culture at higher-education institutions.
- EXIST Startup Factories Program funding regional consortium-based startup factories that bundle support services for science-based founders by linking universities, research institutions, and ecosystem partners.
- EXIST Coaching and Mentoring Services Structured coaching and mentoring support available to founders and startups participating in EXIST funding programs, delivered through partner networks and funded through program grants.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86%+ founding rate among funded teams
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use EXIST
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
EXIST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
EXIST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SMILE (Leipzig University)coreLeipzig University's startup initiative that supports science-based founding ventures. Provided support to TalentNet.AI before they received the EXIST startup grant.
- The Migrant AcceleratorcoreA model project within the EXIST ecosystem supporting founders with migration backgrounds who want to start companies in Germany. Provides community building, mentoring, workshops, and an accelerator program for knowledge and technology-based startups. Contributes to attracting international talent to Germany's innovation landscape.
- StArfrica (Startup Germany-Africa)coreConnects founding teams from Germany and Africa and facilitates access to respective startup ecosystems, networks, and markets. Supports science-based startup ideas on their path to EXIST founding grants and fosters exchange, market access, and cooperation between both regions.
- WES+ (Women Entrepreneurship in Science)coreSupports women from science, studies, and founding through mentoring, qualification, and strong networks on their path to entrepreneurial independence. The model project connects with universities, companies, investors, and experienced female founders to encourage more women to take entrepreneurial action.
- ChemstarscoreSupports startups in the chemistry and chemistry-related deep tech sector by connecting European founding teams with industry-specific mentoring, industrial partners, investors, and a strong ecosystem. Aims to accelerate the sustainable transformation of the chemical industry.
- Startup Labor SchwedtminorBrings together startups, universities, and industry to develop innovative solutions for industrial transformation in Schwedt/Oder and test future technologies under real conditions. Startups with sustainable technologies gain access to regional industrial partners, technical infrastructure, expertise, and financing.
- K.I.E.Z. BerlincoreAI model project in Berlin supporting particularly innovative AI startups beyond regular EXIST funding. Part of EXIST's effort to strengthen AI innovation in key German AI regions.
- AI Startup Rising (Darmstadt)coreAI model project in Darmstadt supporting particularly innovative AI startups beyond regular EXIST funding. Connects with Hessian.ai for entrepreneurship support.
- AI + MunichcoreAI model project in Munich supporting particularly innovative AI startups beyond regular EXIST funding. Part of the Munich startup ecosystem initiative.
- boOst Startup-FactorycoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures. Part of the flagship competition to significantly increase the number and quality of knowledge-based spin-offs.
- BRYCK Startup AlliancecoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures. Focus on building high-performing ecosystems for innovation transfer.
- FUTURY - The Future FactorycoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures. Focus on industrial transformation and future technologies.
- Gateway FactorycoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- GOe FUTUREcoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- Impossible FounderscoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- JUINcoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- NXTGNcoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- SouthwestXcoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures in Southwest Germany.
- ZOHO FactorycoreOne of ten Startup Factories creating strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and DeepTech ventures.
- Jülich Research Centre (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)coreProject carrier and administrator for EXIST program. Responsible for project management, coordination with universities and research institutions, and overall program implementation on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EXIST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UnternehmerTUM: Europe's largest center for business creation at TU Munich, founded and led by EXIST advisory board member Prof. Helmut Schönenberger. Operates university-to-startup programs functionally similar to EXIST's university startup networks at scale.
- High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF): Germany's leading early-stage deep tech investor, co-investing where EXIST-funded companies raise. Frequently referenced in EXIST ecosystem (HTGF's investment manager Dr Marie Asano serves on EXIST advisory board). Most direct deep tech funding peer in Germany.
- Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG): Austria's national funding agency for applied research and startup spin-offs, structurally analogous to EXIST and explicitly benchmarked in EXIST's advisory board (Silvia Laimgruber). Offers spin-off fellowships and incubators (AplusB) comparable to EXIST Gründungsstipendium.
- Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND): German federal innovation agency sponsored by BMWE focused on breakthrough technologies. Operates alongside EXIST as a complementary public funding vehicle for higher-TRL, more disruptive ventures emerging from Germany's research base.
- Helmholtz Association: Germany's largest research organization, with dedicated spin-off support and proof-of-concept programs for Helmholtz researchers. Operates a parallel, but smaller, technology transfer pathway that overlaps with EXIST's research transfer (Forschungstransfer) mandate.
- Max Planck Innovation: Technology transfer office of the Max Planck Society, supporting spin-offs from Max Planck research. Comparable to EXIST's mission of commercializing basic research through licensing and startup creation, with a more research-institute-specific focus.
Broad incumbents
- Bpifrance: France's national public investment bank with deep tech and startup funding programs structurally comparable to EXIST's federal mandate. Functions as the French national equivalent, with much larger AUM and broader product set.
- Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and innovative ventures. Direct international analogue to EXIST with a similar mission to convert research into commercial ventures through non-dilutive grant funding.
- Israel Innovation Authority: Israel's national agency funding applied R&D and deep tech ventures. Provides comparable grant-based support to research-based startups, with stronger emphasis on technology transfer from defense and academia.
Regional players
- Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen (NBank): One of Germany's state-level development banks that co-funds EXIST-qualified startups through regional programs. Comparable mechanism (public funding + private match) but operates at a single state rather than federal level.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EXIST social profiles
Digital presenceEXIST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EXIST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
EXIST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EXIST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments64 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EXIST
What does EXIST do?
EXIST is a German federal startup funding program that provides non-dilutive grants, stipends, coaching, and mentoring to science-based and research-driven founders from universities and non-university research institutions. It is operated on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and implemented by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, with co-financing from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its portfolio spans multiple sub-programs covering early-stage founder scholarships, research-transfer projects, women founders, model projects, and regional startup factories.
Is EXIST a public or private company?
EXIST is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was EXIST founded?
EXIST was founded in 1998. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is EXIST based?
EXIST is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does EXIST make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding Distribution.
Who are EXIST's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UnternehmerTUM, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND), Helmholtz Association and Max Planck Innovation. Broad incumbents are Bpifrance, Innovate UK and Israel Innovation Authority. Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen (NBank) is listed as a regional player.
Does EXIST have an API?
No public API is recorded for EXIST.
What industry is EXIST in?
EXIST's product category is Government Startup Funding Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.