Exist-Women 2026

Qualification: intensive further training in entrepreneurship through dedicated events and workshops in Würzburg and other Bavarian cities, as well as online sessions, covering topics such as potential analysis, business modelling, resilience, branding, and pitching.

Coaching over several months: individual consulting and coaching provided by the startup support team at SFT and network partners, as well as peer-to-peer coaching among participants.

Mentoring: personalised support by experienced practitioners from relevant fields, arranged and guided by the SFT startup advisory service.

Optional grant: financial support for up to 3 months for students (1,000 EUR), women with completed vocational training (2,000 EUR), graduates with a university degree (2,500 EUR), and doctoral founders (3,000 EUR). Grants are paid only if no income is earned or if working hours do not exceed 20 hours per week. Additionally, between 1,000 and 3,000 EUR plus a one-time allowance of 2,000 EUR for material costs (e.g. coaching, travel expenses, or validation of the business idea), as well as a childcare allowance.

Network: integration into a nationwide network of female founders.

The EXIST-Women programme is aimed at graduates, researchers, students with a bachelor’s degree, or students who have completed at least half of their studies, as well as women with a vocational qualification who have a connection to the University of Würzburg. Applicants should have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and be willing to actively participate in the qualification programme’s events until the end of the year.

You can apply even if you do not yet have a concrete business idea. If no idea is available, there should at least be a general topic with entrepreneurial potential. In the selection process, motivation, creativity, personality, and innovative drive are particularly important.

Which fields of study are eligible?
EXIST-Women supports ideas from all disciplines and industries – ranging from high-tech and services to social innovation. Both research-based and non-research-based ideas are eligible. However, it is important that no corporation has been founded and no business activity has been started before participation begins. A stipend is possible for a period of three months, during which no more than 20 hours per week of paid employment may be undertaken.

Further eligibility requirements:

• You have an interest in starting a business.
• By 01.03.2026 (or an individually agreed programme start date), no company has been founded or business activity begun.
• You have not previously participated in another startup funding programme (e.g. federal employment agency start-up grant, EXIST-Gründerstipendium or EXIST-Forschungstransfer, or state-level programmes).
• During the stipend period, you do not receive living support from another funding programme.
• If employed during the programme, working hours must not exceed 20 hours per week.
• For students: by 01.03.2026, more than half of the study requirements must be completed or a bachelor’s degree must already be obtained.
• Active participation in regular events and workshops in Würzburg is required.