The Next Generation of Startup Support in Germany
The exist Startup Factories create strong regional innovation hubs for science-based startups and deep tech ventures. As part of the federal government’s exist startup support program, they build bridges between academia, research, businesses, investors, and (inter)national talent.
Their goal is to foster more successful startups from the fields of research and science and to accelerate their growth. To this end, the Startup Factories pool the strengths of their regions and create high-performance ecosystems in which innovations find their way from laboratories, universities, and research institutions to the market more quickly. As public-private partnerships, the Startup Factories combine entrepreneurial training, startup support, financing, industry partnerships, and international networking. This gives rise to new growth companies that help to sustainably strengthen Germany’s position as a hub for innovation and technology.
Establishment of startup factories
Establishment of up to 10 startup factories as internationally visible lighthouses, which 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 startups' access to private investors and the economy through the Startup Factories.
Discover the 10 Startup Factories
On July 10, 2025, ten existing Startup Factories were awarded prizes in Berlin by Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy. The award winners are spread across the whole of Germany and impressed with their very different concepts. However, they all stand for closely networked cooperation between science and research on the one hand and established players in the private sector, the start-up ecosystem and investors on the other. Through the scaling of innovations and their private-sector management, the factories represent a real boost for the German startup ecosystem and were inspired by role models such as UnternehmerTUM (Munich), which are already developing international appeal.
XSF: Startup Factory
Concept Phase Project
Role Model
Key Areas
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We're laying our cards on the table.
Round
110
million euros
private financing
10
Startup Factories in the project phase
144
Financing and cooperation partners from the business world
126
participating colleges, universities and research institutions as scientific partners
More than
1.500
Startups per year
Startup Factories as Drivers of Innovation
The 10 exist Startup Factories serve as beacons that strengthen the German startup ecosystem. As public-private partnerships between academia and industry, they support science-based deep tech startups and accelerate the journey from idea to scaling.
Downloads
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Startup Factories Platform
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Explore more
exist program
exist supports university graduates, scientists and students in preparing their technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups.
GCCC - Global Certification and Consulting Center
Are you from a non-EU country and looking to start a business in Germany? The GCCC supports international startup teams receiving government funding with visa applications. It reviews documents, certifies government funding, and can thus play a key role in securing the appropriate visa.