EXIST
Lighthouse competition
Startup Factories
As part of the German government's start-up strategy, the existing Startup Factories lighthouse competition was launched to significantly increase the number and quality of knowledge-based spin-offs.
exist
Startup Factories
The existing Startup Factories lighthouse competition was launched by the German government to take the German startup ecosystem to a new level in the next decade and significantly increase the number and quality of knowledge-based spin-offs.
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.
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around € 110 million
private financing
10
Startup Factories in the project phase
The 10 existing Startup Factories start as beacons of the German startup ecosystem. The excellence-oriented Startup Factories are created as public-private partnerships between scientific institutions and cooperation and financing partners from industry. The aim is to increase the number and quality of science-based deep tech start-ups and to accelerate the start-up journey („from the start-up idea in the lab to scaling“). In this way, we want to raise the science-based start-up system in Germany to a new level.
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
The 10 existing Startup Factories start as beacons of the German startup ecosystem. The excellence-oriented Startup Factories are created as public-private partnerships between scientific institutions and cooperation and financing partners from industry. The aim is to increase the number and quality of science-based deep tech start-ups and to accelerate the start-up journey („from the start-up idea in the lab to scaling“). In this way, we want to raise the science-based start-up system in Germany to a new level.
Aim of the competition
The existing Startup Factories lighthouse competition is a central element of the BMWE's startup funding and the High-Tech Agenda Germany.
After an intensive selection process, they have been chosen: the 10 existing Startup Factories that will act as beacons of the German start-up ecosystem. These excellence-oriented hubs are being created as public-private partnerships between 126 universities and research institutions as well as 144 cooperation and financing partners from the business world, who together are providing around 110 million euros in private funding.
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.
Select Startup Factory
FUTURY - The Future Factory
Futury is Europe's leading industry-driven startup ecosystem based in Frankfurt am Main. In close cooperation with universities, companies, investors and politicians, Futury promotes entrepreneurial thinking, sustainable start-ups and the structured transfer of scientific excellence to the market. Our goal is to establish a dynamic and professionally networked innovation ecosystem that will give rise to around 1,000 new start-ups by 2030.
JUNI
JUNI (formerly UNITE) is a startup factory for technology-driven startups in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region. It combines scientific excellence with entrepreneurial implementation and supports startups with programs, mentoring, capital and networks. JUNI accompanies start-up teams from the early idea phase through to market launch and scaling.
boOst Startup Factory
boOst is the Startup Factory for technology and research-based start-ups in Central Germany. It supports start-ups in systematically transforming innovative ideas from science and research into marketable and scalable companies. With programs, mentoring, networks and capital, boOst accompanies start-up teams throughout the entire start-up and growth phase.
Playground - For internal use only
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NXTGN
As the central innovation platform in Baden-Württemberg, the NXTGN Startup Factory connects science, business and the startup ecosystem, thereby laying the foundation for the next generation of SMEs. NXTGN accompanies technology-intensive start-ups from the early phase through to sustainable growth and thus supports the systematic transfer of innovative ideas from science and research into marketable and scalable solutions. At the same time, established companies receive targeted support in innovation and transformation processes.
Gateway Factory
The Gateway Factory is the growth partner for Europe's deep-tech start-ups in the decisive pre-scaling phase. The Startup Factory from the Rhineland connects cutting-edge research with SMEs and corporates, opens up access to capital, customers, mentors and markets and provides a real infrastructure advantage: production and laboratory infrastructure that turns ideas into resilient companies more quickly. With programs such as „Ready to Scale“ and a clear focus on the four verticals Future Health & Life Sciences, Future Computing & Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructures and Future Regulatory Demands, the Gateway Factory accelerates traction and growth.
GOe FUTURE
GOᵉ FUTURE is a startup factory with an exclusive focus on knowledge-based startups in the life sciences. Together with experienced partners, the Startup Factory supports the targeted expansion of the Lower Saxony ecosystem in order to further accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into practical, marketable solutions. With tailored programs, access to capital, experts and a strong network, GOᵉ FUTURE creates excellent framework conditions for life science spin-offs.
ZOHO Factory
ZOLLHOF, which will be further developed as ZOHO Factory in the future, is a start-up factory for technology-driven start-ups in Nuremberg and the metropolitan region. It supports start-ups all the way from the idea to market maturity. With programs, mentoring, infrastructure and access to capital, ZOLLHOF accelerates innovative start-ups and strengthens the region as a leading deep-tech location in Germany.
SouthwestX
SouthwestX - The Bridge to Innovation is a startup factory for technology and research-based startups in the southwest region. As a bridge between science, business and entrepreneurship, SouthwestX creates the conditions for innovative ideas to become marketable and scalable companies. The focus is on supporting founders along the entire startup journey - from the initial idea through validation and market entry to scaling. To this end, SouthwestX offers access to programs, mentoring, networks, capital and infrastructure.
BRYCK Startup Alliance
The BRYCK Startup Alliance is a startup factory for technology-driven deep-tech startups in the Ruhr region. It supports spin-offs from science and research in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready and scalable companies. By providing access to capital, experts, laboratory infrastructure and industry partners, BRYCK accompanies start-up teams from the initial idea to sustainable scaling and positions the Ruhr region as a relevant innovation location throughout Europe.
Impossible Founders
Impossible Founders is a start-up factory with a focus on deep-tech start-ups. The aim is to systematically translate scientific findings into innovative and high-growth companies. As a bridge between science and business, Impossible Founders connects researchers, students, founding teams, industry partners and investors and supports start-ups from the early idea phase through to international scaling.
Select Startup Factory
Timeline
EXIST
December 2, 2025
32. exist Foundation Forum
exist Startup Forum in the Palais & Kesselhaus of the Kulturbrauerei. Presentation of the offers of the Startup Factories
Beginning of November 2025
1st CEO Meeting
Kick-off meeting of the 10 selected Startup Factories
01.10.2025
Start of the project phase
Start of funding for the 10 selected Startup Factory projects
June 16, 2025
Jury meeting
Selection meeting project phase Startup Factories
From April 2025
Selection process
Selection process with the involvement of the jury
April 30, 2025
Application deadline for the project phase
Deadline for the submission of applications
December 18, 2024
Publication Directive
Publication of the funding guideline for the project phase in the Federal Gazette
July/August 2024
Kick-off meetings
Kick-off meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
Summer 2024
Creation of guideline
Publication for the concept phase in the Federal Gazette
Startup Factories
September 28/29, 2025
Bits & Pretzels 2025
Startup Factory Panelwith the participation of Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche on the Future Stage of Bits & Pretzels
September 22/23, 2025
7th Family Office Roundtable Workshop
Family Office Roundtable Workshop organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and UnternehmerTUM at the ZOLLHOF in Nuremberg
March 19/20, 2025
Transform
exist Startup Factories Panel
12/02/2025
Moonshots & monies
Presence meeting of the concept phase projects in Paderborn
December 2024
Status discussions
Status meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
November 26/27, 2024
Family Office Dinner
Family Office Dinner and Workshop in Hamburg
October 22, 2024
Digital Summit 2024
Startup Factory Panel at the Digital Summit 2024, with the participation of Ms. Christmann
September 30, 2024
Bits & Pretzels
Joint presence meeting of all projects at the Bits & Pretzels in Munich
September 23, 2024
Brand Building
Virtual meeting of all projects on the topic of "Brand Building"
September 17, 2024
Startup Germany Summit
Startup Factory Panel at the Startup Germany Summit of the BMWE
July/August 2024
Kick-off meetings
Kick-off meetings with the PtJ and one or two jurors
July 01, 2024
Start 15 projects
Launch of the 15 projects selected for the concept phase
Downloads
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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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