EXIST
Lighthouse competition
Startup Factories
As part of the German government's start-up strategy, the EXIST lighthouse competition Startup Factories was launched to significantly increase the number and quality of knowledge-based spin-offs.
150.000 €
are provided by the federal government for the concept development of a Startup Factory
15
Projects were selected for funding in the concept phase
The future Startup Factories are characterized by the cooperation of universities with private financing partners. At least 50% of the financing must come from private funds and sustainable business models are to be developed. By bringing together universities, investors and established companies, the German start-up ecosystem is to be significantly scaled.
120
Universities, colleges and non-university research institutions are currently involved in developing the concept
26
Consortia have applied for the concept phase
5 - 10
Concept phase projects will be selected for the project phase by the expert jury in April 2025
The future Startup Factories are characterized by the cooperation of universities with private financing partners. At least 50% of the financing must come from private funds and sustainable business models are to be developed. By bringing together universities, investors and established companies, the German start-up ecosystem is to be significantly scaled.
News
18.12.2024
NEW: Startup Factories funding guideline
The final version of the funding guideline for the project phase of the "Startup Factories" lighthouse competition as part of the "EXIST - Startups from Science" funding program came into force today with its publication in the Federal Gazette.
Startup Factories funding guideline (project phase)
PDF / 449 KB / Status: 11.12.2024
Aim of the competition
The EXIST lighthouse competition Startup Factories is a central element of the BMWK's start-up funding.
In the implementation phase from 2025, the competition will comprise five to ten excellence-oriented projects with a term of five years that aim to establish cross-university regional start-up ecosystems with international appeal and strong integration into supra-regional and national value chains. Since July 2024, 15 projects have been funded in a nine-month concept phase.
Establishment of startup factories
Establishment of up to 10 startup factories as internationally visible lighthouses that cooperate closely with universities, research institutions, startups and the established economy and use private or other public support offers for startups and are thus a central player in the existing regional or supra-regional startup ecosystem.
Spin-offs and talents
Significant increase in the number and quality of innovative, knowledge-based and growth-oriented spin-offs and start-ups through the activities of the Startup Factories.
Mobilization of private funds
Mobilization of private funds for the long-term financing of startup factories and their offerings.
Access to private investors
Improving start-ups' access to private investors and the economy through the Startup Factories.
Select Startup Factory
Startup Factory OWL
Startup Factory OWL establishes an entrepreneurial, internationally visible hotspot for B2B start-ups in the industrial digital transformation in the region of Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL). Paderborn University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Bielefeld University and OWL University of Applied Sciences are joining forces for the Startup Factory OWL.
The Bridge
The Start-up Factory in the Southwest “The Bridge - Incubator for Innovators” is supported by Saarland University, htw saar, DFKI, WHU in Vallendar, Trier University of Applied Sciences and with partners from France and Luxembourg. The aim is to build a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, science and business from which 150 high-growth start-ups will emerge each year. The focus areas are artificial intelligence and green transformation as well as integration into an international region.
Startup Factory Hamburg
The University of Hamburg, TU Hamburg and DESY have joined forces for the Startup Factory Hamburg. The aim is to promote scientific spin-offs and to link them closely with the market and capital. This will make Hamburg attractive for entrepreneurial commitment and innovation. The Michael Otto Foundation and the Joachim Herz Foundation are involved representing the private sector. Hamburg is actively testing formats with talent. This is a strong signal for Hamburg.
boOst Startup Factory
We foster the new generation of scaling tech companies, using engineering experience in central Germany. boOst provides a structured access to the regional startup ecosystem combining forces of universities, accelerators, coworking spaces, investors and industry partners to identify technologies, train and keep top talent and help them scale in Germany.
BRYCK Startup Alliance
With the BRYCK Startup Alliance, business, science and the public sector in the Ruhr region are building Europe's leading innovation center for the development of successful B2B deep-tech startups. Through the close integration of leading industrial companies, universities and investors in the BRYCK Startup Alliance, more promising startups are to emerge from science and new technologies are to be made marketable and implemented in industry more quickly.
ZOHO Factory
For the past seven years, FAU has been consolidating startup activities at ZOLLHOF in Nuremberg, one of Germany's leading tech incubators. Now, FAU, together with its partners, is planning the "ZOHO Factory" — the largest investment in Northern Bavaria's startup ecosystem. The goal is to create one of Europe's top startup hubs by 2030, with a focus on deep tech innovations and a strong international network.
Startup Factory MV
The Startup Factory offers founders in MV a unique platform with short distances and customized contacts. It connects startups efficiently and individually with the right partners and investors so that visions become successful companies. The focus is on knowledge and technology transfer in green & blue economy, information and communication technology (ICT), life sciences and mechanical and plant engineering.
Gateway Factory
The University of Cologne and RWTH Aachen University are founding the Gateway Factory together with the Start2 Group and the other Gateway universities in Cologne. The goal: to develop established startups into internationally successful scaleups.
UNITE Berlin-Brandenburg
The more than 50 partners from science, business, politics and society share one vision for UNITE: to create an internationally leading innovation and startup center in Berlin-Brandenburg. In future, a science-based startup is expected to emerge every day. To achieve this, over 50,000 entrepreneurial talents will be trained every year, digital structures will ensure even better networking and entrepreneurial structures will underpin the commitment to speed and risk-taking.
NXTGN
NXTGN is the innovation platform from Baden-Württemberg. It connects start-ups, science and business with the aim of creating a successful next generation of SMEs.
hoi startup factory
The hoi startup factory is based on an alliance of excellent science, a high density of research institutes, innovative start-up support, an active start-up scene and an open-minded entrepreneurial community. The aim is to establish a holistic startup journey. Over 60 LoIs and 13 financial commitments in the first application phase demonstrate the region's determination to become one of the top 5 German locations for science-based startups with international appeal by 2030.
StartMiUp Factory Sustainable Life
The StartMiUp Factory Sustainable Life is transforming Mittelhessen into an international center for sustainable startups in the focus areas of Biotech & Pharma, MedTech & Digital Health, Materials & Manufacturing Efficiency, Agritech & Food Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure. With its accelerator, the StartMiUp Factory Sustainable Life supports growth-oriented start-ups that have already been founded to get from the idea to market maturity and create sustainable added value for society.
GOe FUTURE
We are developing the GOe FUTURE lighthouse from the Lower Saxony life science ecosystem with academic institutions in Göttingen/Hanover/Braunschweig. We are increasing the quality and number of science-based spin-offs in the field of red and green life sciences - for the benefit and health of people worldwide.
FUTURY - The Future Factory
FUTURY - The Future Factory, where we are shaping the RhineMain region into a unique innovation and startup hotspot, driving sustainable, technology-driven, and knowledge-based entrepreneurship with a global reach.
R-ECOSYSTEM-FACTORY
With the R-FACTORY, we want to create the most innovative cross-border start-up region in Europe. Seven leading universities and numerous partners from the cross-border start-up ecosystem are pooling their strengths and uniting them on a platform that acts as a driving force in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship not only at a national but also at an international level.
Select Startup Factory
Timeline
EXIST
Summer 2024
Creation of guideline
Publication for the concept phase in the Federal Gazette
July/August 2024
Kick-off meetings
Kick-off meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
December 18, 2024
Publication Directive
Publication of the funding guideline for the project phase in the Federal Gazette
April 30, 2025
Application deadline for the project phase
Deadline for the submission of applications
From April 2025
Selection process
Selection process with the involvement of the jury
June 16, 2025
Jury meeting
Selection meeting project phase Startup Factories
Timing dependent on the entry into force of the 2025 budget
Start of funding project phase
Start of funding for the 5 - 10 selected projects
Startup Factories
July 01, 2024
Start 15 projects
Launch of the 15 projects selected for the concept phase
July/August 2024
Kick-off meetings
Kick-off meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
September 17, 2024
Startup Germany Summit
Startup Factory Panel at the Startup Germany Summit of the BMWK
September 23, 2024
Brand Building
Virtual meeting of all projects on the topic of "Brand Building"
September 30, 2024
Bits & Pretzels
Joint presence meeting of all projects at the Bits & Pretzels in Munich
October 22, 2024
Digital Summit 2024
Startup Factory Panel at the Digital Summit 2024, with the participation of Ms. Christmann
November 26/27, 2024
Family Office Dinner
Family Office Dinner and Workshop in Hamburg
December 2024
Status discussions
Status meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
12/02/2025
Moonshots & monies
Presence meeting of the concept phase projects in Paderborn
March 19/20, 2025
Transform
EXIST Startup Factories Panel
Downloads
You can download the most important information here.
EXIST Program
EXIST supports university graduates, scientists and students in preparing their technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups.
To the websiteGlobal Certification and Consultancy Center (GCCC)
The GCCC acts as a central point of contact for German diplomatic missions abroad, interior and immigration authorities on the one hand and universities, research institutions and international start-ups on the other.
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