Funding and Applications: Counseling, Support
Support programs
EXIST-Women
The start-up service SQuArE was involved in the first round of the EXIST-Women funding line with the "EmpowerX" project and offered nine participants counseling, coaching, knowledge and skills transfer as well as a mentoring program with various networking formats over 12 months.
Please note: Fachhochschule Dortmund is not currently taking part in the EXIST-Women program and it is not currently possible to apply!
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EXIST Startup Grant
This funding program is aimed at students, graduates, and researchers from universities and non-university research institutions who wish to implement innovative and knowledge-based startup projects. Teams with some professional experience can also further develop their ideas in collaboration with a university or research institution.
In addition to financial support, founders benefit from the expertise of your university or research institution, personalized guidance, and a strong startup network. This is how exist supports you on your journey “From Science to Business.”
EXIST Research Transfer
The exist Research Transfer program is aimed at research-intensive startup projects with a high degree of innovation, significant market potential, and a clearly identifiable potential to solve problems.
The program is particularly relevant for projects that address societal, industrial, or environmental challenges with scientifically sound technological solutions and demonstrate realistic prospects for economic success.
The program supports you in further developing your technology while simultaneously preparing to launch your startup: with funding, expert mentoring, startup coaching, support from startup networks, and access to relevant partners in the startup ecosystem.
In this way, exist supports you in transforming research into scalable businesses.
NRW Start-up Grant
The NRW Startup Grant is an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia designed to provide funding for innovative startups. The initiative is aimed at founders who want to bring their business ideas to life in North Rhine-Westphalia in the fields of future-oriented technologies, innovative services, and business models. The goal is to support founders before and at the start of their business ventures so that they have the freedom during this challenging phase to focus fully on preparing and implementing their business ideas.
start2grow
The start2grow startup competition, organized by the Economic Development Agency, is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and young startups that are developing innovative, scalable B2B products or services and, through their technological solutions, create real added value for companies and accelerate transformation processes. start2grow offers aspiring entrepreneurs and founders the opportunity to be mentored by experienced coaches, allowing them to benefit from in-depth expertise, a strong network, and a variety of events.