Kann ich EXIST beantragen, wenn ich nicht mehr studiere?

Ja, als Absolvent können Sie EXIST noch bis zu 5 Jahre nach Ihrem Abschluss beantragen. Voraussetzung ist, dass Sie noch nicht gegründet haben und eine innovative, technologie- oder wissensbasierte Geschäftsidee vorweisen können.

Muss ich das EXIST-Gründerstipendium zurückzahlen?

Nein, das EXIST-Gründerstipendium ist ein nicht rückzahlbarer Zuschuss. Sie müssen das Geld nicht zurückzahlen, selbst wenn Ihre Gründung scheitern sollte. Wichtig ist nur, dass Sie die Förderbedingungen während der Laufzeit einhalten.

Kann ich EXIST und Gründungszuschuss kombinieren?

Nein, eine gleichzeitige Förderung durch EXIST-Gründerstipendium und Gründungszuschuss ist nicht möglich. Sie müssen sich für eine der beiden Förderungen entscheiden.

Wie hoch sind meine Chancen auf eine EXIST-Bewilligung?

Die Bewilligungsquote beim EXIST-Gründerstipendium liegt bei etwa 40-50%. Entscheidend sind der Innovationsgrad Ihrer Idee, ein überzeugendes Team mit komplementären Kompetenzen und ein realistischer Businessplan.

Kann ich als Einzelperson EXIST beantragen?

Ja, Sie können EXIST auch als Einzelperson beantragen. Allerdings bevorzugt das Förderprogramm Teams von 2-3 Personen, da diese bessere Erfolgschancen haben.

EXIST Startup Program: Up to €150,000 Funding for Your Startup

Key facts at a glance

Up to 150.000 Euro in non-repayable funding
12 months of secured living expenses
Coaching and consulting included
Access to university infrastructure

Video: The EXIST startup program explained

A video by Tobias about the EXIST startup program will appear here soon

Funding options

EXIST funding lines at a glance

Funding line	Target group	Funding amount	Duration	Approval rate
EXIST-Gründerstipendium Recommended	Students, graduates, researchers	up to €150,000	12 months	★★★☆☆ 40-50%
EXIST-Forschungstransfer Phase 1	Research teams with technological innovation	up to €250,000	18 months	★★☆☆☆ 25-35%
EXIST-Forschungstransfer Phase 2	Spin-offs from Phase 1	up to €180,000	18 months	★★★★☆ 60-70%

EXIST startup scholarship in detail

What is funded?

Monthly funding for living expenses:

Status	Monthly funding
Students	1.000 Euro
Graduates (up to 5 years after graduation)	2.500 Euro
PhD holders	3.000 Euro
Technical staff	2.000 Euro

Additional funds:

Material expenses: up to €10,000 (up to €30,000 for technical developments)
Coaching: up to €5,000

Requirements

Eligibility and target group

Who can apply?

Students (with at least 50% of their studies completed)
Graduates (no more than 5 years after graduation)
Researchers at universities or research institutions
Teams of 2-3 people (at least one with university affiliation)

What does the idea need to offer?

Innovative product or service idea
Technology- or knowledge-based approach
Realistic market opportunities
No business registration has taken place yet!

Pro tip: The right moment to apply

Don't apply for EXIST too early or too late:

Too early: idea not yet mature enough → rejection
Too late: already founded or more than 5 years after graduation → not eligible

Optimal timing: 6-12 months before the planned company launch, when the concept is solid but no business registration has been filed yet.

Step by step

The path to funding: 5 steps

EXIST-Beratungsgespräch mit Gründungscoach an der Hochschule

1

Contact your university

Reach out to the EXIST startup network or the entrepreneurship service at your university. They have to submit the application on your behalf.
2

Prepare an idea paper

Describe your business idea in no more than 2 pages: degree of innovation, target market, and initial revenue expectations.
3

Submit the complete application

Your university submits on your behalf: a detailed concept outline, work and schedule plan, financial plan, and CVs of the team members.
4

Wait for the evaluation

An external review panel assesses the level of innovation, market potential, team qualification, and feasibility. Duration: 2-3 months.
5

Funding approval and kick-off

Once approved, you can start within 3 months. The funding then runs for 12 months.

Important deadlines and dates

Application: Possible at any time (no fixed cut-off)

Processing time:

Pre-check by the university: 2-4 weeks
EXIST evaluation: 2-3 months
Total: 3-6 months until approval

Comparison

EXIST vs. start-up grant

Criterion	EXIST startup scholarship	Start-up grant
Requirement	University affiliation	Unemployment (ALG I)
Funding amount	up to €150,000	approx. €18,000 (15 months)
Focus	Innovative / technology-based ideas	All business ideas
Repayment	No (grant)	No (grant)
Approval time	3-6 months	4-8 weeks
Combination	Cannot be combined with start-up grant	Cannot be combined with EXIST

Which funding fits me?

EXIST is suited to innovative university spin-offs with a technology- or knowledge-based approach.

The start-up grant is ideal for moving quickly out of unemployment into self-employment, regardless of the industry.

Learn more about the start-up grant →

Caution

Avoiding common rejection reasons

These mistakes lead to rejection:

Lack of innovation: the idea must clearly stand out from the market
Incomplete team: at least commercial AND technical skills are required
No university affiliation: the university must actively support you
Already founded: a business registration before applying = exclusion
Unrealistic business plan: market analysis and financial plan must be convincing

Success story: From university project to startup

"With the EXIST startup scholarship, we were able to focus entirely on product development for 12 months. The funding gave us the freedom to work without financial pressure and to build our MVP."

– Example of a funded founding team

Outcome: After the EXIST funding, successful seed financing of over €500,000

Your roadmap

The path to EXIST funding in 3 phases

Phase 1: Preparation (2-3 months)

Contact the entrepreneurship service at your university
Hold an EXIST consulting meeting
Draft the idea paper
Build the team

Phase 2: Application (1-2 months)

Prepare the complete application package
Business plan with financial plan
Obtain a letter of support from the university
Have the university submit the application

Phase 3: Funding period (12 months)

Prepare the company launch
Develop the product or service
Acquire first customers
Secure follow-on financing

Frequently asked questions

FAQ on the EXIST startup program

Can I apply for EXIST if I am no longer a student?

Yes, as a graduate you can apply for EXIST up to 5 years after graduation. The condition is that you have not yet founded a company and can present an innovative, technology- or knowledge-based business idea.

Do I have to repay the EXIST startup scholarship?

No, the EXIST startup scholarship is a non-repayable grant. You do not have to pay the money back, even if your startup ultimately fails. The only requirement is that you comply with the funding conditions during the program.

Can I combine EXIST and the start-up grant?

No, simultaneous funding through the EXIST startup scholarship and the start-up grant is not possible. You must choose one of the two. EXIST suits innovative university spin-offs, while the start-up grant is for founders coming out of unemployment.

How high are my chances of EXIST approval?

The approval rate for the EXIST startup scholarship is around 40-50%. The decisive factors are the level of innovation of your idea, a convincing team with complementary skills, and a realistic business plan. Good preparation together with your university's entrepreneurship service significantly increases your chances.

Can I apply for EXIST as a single founder?

Yes, you can apply for EXIST as a single founder. However, the program prefers teams of 2-3 people, as they have better chances of success. Ideally, a team should cover both technical and commercial skills.