Your idea, your impact: Female Founders!
Are you interested in innovation, impact, and entrepreneurial thinking – even if not everything is fully defined yet?
Perhaps during your internship, master’s thesis, or doctoral research, an idea has emerged that you can’t let go of. Perhaps you are wondering whether it could develop into something bigger.
Then become part of EXIST Women and further develop your ideas together with us.
The application deadline for 2026 has passed. The next round is expected to launch again in 2027.
Become part of EXIST Women and discover the founder in you!
Facts about EXIST Women
females@HIGHEST meets EXIST women
EXIST Women is a funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), designed to inspire and empower women to embrace entrepreneurial thinking and innovative solutions.
At the Technical University of Darmstadt, the program is implemented and coordinated by HIGHEST – the Innovation and Startup Center of TU Darmstadt. Each year, up to ten participants are admitted to the TU Darmstadt cohort.
Simultaneously, EXIST Women is organized across universities in the Rhine-Main region: together with Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Goethe University Frankfurt, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, and Mainz University of Applied Sciences, a regional cohort of up to 50 participants is formed (up to ten per university). Workshops and program activities are conducted collaboratively across locations, fostering a strong network in the Rhine-Main area.
The application deadline for 2026 has passed. The next round is expected to launch again in 2027.
For more information on the nationwide program:
EXIST WomanServices
Services & Schedule
- Coaching, Networking & Qualification
Practical workshops and exchange formats in Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Mainz, and online – organized across locations together with partner universities (see schedule above). - Mentoring
Individual guidance by experienced industry experts, coordinated and supported by HIGHEST. - Material Resources
Up to €2,000 for project-related expenses (available even without a scholarship). - Optional Three-Month Scholarship
Financial support for up to 3 months:- Students: €1,000 / month
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Vocational trainees: €2,000 / month
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University graduates: €2,500 / month
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Doctoral researchers: €3,000 / month
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Child allowance: €150 per child / month
- Requirements: No or a maximum of 20 hours of employment per week and no concurrent support from another living expenses program. Participants are responsible for their own social security contributions.
Termine
- Teilnahme am zentral organisierten Seminar „Gründerin“ (1,5 Tage Präsenz in München oder Berlin inkl. Online-Follow-up)
- 23.04.2026 (12:00–13:30 Uhr) – Onboarding HIGHEST Stipendiatinnen (HIGHEST TU Darmstadt)
- 28.04.2026 (14:00–17:00 Uhr) – Kick-off „Getting Started“ (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt / Unibator, Frankfurt)
- 28.–29.05.2026 (jeweils 09:00–17:00 Uhr) – Futury Lab2Market | EXIST Women Edition (HIGHEST Futury, Bertramshof Frankfurt)
- 02.07.2026 (10:00–12:00 Uhr) – YES „Navigating Power Structures – women* only“ (HIGHEST & Young Entrepreneurs in Science, online)
- 27.08.2026 (15:00–17:00 Uhr) – Fördermittel & Finanzierung (Hochschule Darmstadt, online)
- 03.09.2026 (13:00–16:30 Uhr) – Pitchtraining (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Rote Infobox Mainz)
- 29.10.2026 (ganztägig) – InnoDay Female Founders Stand (Technische Universität Darmstadt / HIGHEST, darmstadtium Darmstadt)
- 10.12.2026 (15:00–18:00 Uhr) – Abschlussevent (Hochschule Mainz, Mainz)
Who can apply?
Women affiliated with TU Darmstadt, including:
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Graduates
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Researchers
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Students who have completed at least 50% of their coursework or hold a bachelor’s degree
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Women with completed vocational training
Requirements:
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Active participation in workshops and events
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A concrete business idea is not mandatory
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Motivation, creativity, and innovation potential are essential
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No established company or ongoing business activity
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No prior use of state startup funding programs
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During the optional scholarship, no concurrent financial support for living expenses
Deadlines and information
Deadlines
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Application period: 01.03.–31.03.2026
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EXIST Women program: 23.04.–31.12.2026
Application
To submit your application, please complete the application form provided below.
Within the form, you will be asked to provide:
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Your motivation
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If applicable, a brief description of your idea
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Your Founder’s Dream
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Your highest educational qualification (to be uploaded as a PDF)
All further information can be found directly within the form.
Your application will be considered complete once the form has been fully submitted.
Simone Lühl
Start-up Coach HIGHEST; simone.luehl@tu-darmstadt.de
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