EXIST-Women at Universität HamburgTen Scholarships for Start-Ups by Women

17 January 2024, by Anna Priebe

Photo: UHH/Wohlfahrt

All women at Universität Hamburg interested in founding a company now have an opportunity to apply for an EXIST-Women scholarship, designed to support women as they look for and implement ideas for new enterprises. Applications for the first round can be submitted until 15 February 2024.

The program targets female scientists and scholars who wish to found an enterprise as well as female students who have already completed a bachelor’s and/or earned more than half of their academic credits. “Furthermore, female graduates and women with vocational training and links to Universität Hamburg can also apply—for example, technical assistants or administrative staff,” says Imme Godthardt, advisor for entrepreneurs at the University’s Knowledge Exchange Agency.

She oversaw the EXIST-Women grant program development jointly with Frauke Nesemann (innovation and technology management) and Prof. Dr. Michel Clement from the Faculty of Business Administration. Nesemann adds: “You can also take part in this grant program while studying or working—as long as the part-time activity does not exceed 20 hours per week.”

All ideas welcome

For Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence, knowledge exchange is a core duty and integral to research and teaching. For its support measures in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship, Universität Hamburg was recognized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as an “EXIST-Women university.” Capital provided within this context now goes to the new support measures.

You can already have a concrete idea for your application to the program but it is not a requirement. We also consider ideas that are not science or research-based (in contrast to the EXIST founders’ scholarship). The only criterion is that the idea be commercial in nature.

The qualifications program and individual coaching allow participants to develop, change, or execute their plans. Among other things, you can learn how to develop a successful business model and you will focus on important skill-building and the basics (and risks) of founding a business.

Women in all subject areas welcome

“The program does not limit applications to a single area; the call targets women in all subjects,” says Prof. Dr. Michel Clement. The focus is to develop your entrepreneurial personality. In addition to the grant and the comprehensive support program, participants can also rely on entrepreneurial support from at least one mentor and access to a national network of women entrepreneurs for the purpose of exchange and sharing experiences.

The grant supplements the current EXIST founders’ grant activities Potential heben (tapping potential) and the EXIST collaborative project Startup Port. There are 2 rounds for the application call: The first phase ends on 15 February 2024. The second ends of 15 March. See the Knowledge Exchange Agency website for more information about the grant and the application procedure. You can also apply online there.