exist Women 2026
exist Women
exist Women is a nationwide funding program initiated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) to increase the number of female founders and strengthen diversity within the start-up landscape. More than 100 universities and research institutions across Germany participate in the program, including Heidelberg University coordinated by the transfer agency hei_INNOVATION.
Over the coming months, the 10 women in this year's program will develop their business ideas with entrepreneurial training from the transfer agency and receive personal mentoring from experienced experts. They will also be part of the DeepTech Hub Female Founders Network.
DeepTechHub: Female Founders Network
DeepTechHub connects, inspires, and supports women across the region as they explore entrepreneurship, develop ideas, and take bold steps on their founder journey.
exist Women serves as a strategic anchor within the DeepTechHub, enabling us to strengthen regional collaboration, align activities across hubs and make better use of shared resources and expertise. While the program provides structure, funding opportunities and a clear annual rhythm, the overarching goal of the DeepTechHub is broader: To build, expand and empower a strong Female Founders community across the entire region.
exist Women 2026
The projects of this year’s exist Women sreflect a wide field of innovative topics. Their ideas range from AI-supported environmental monitoring and climate tech to biotechnology, digital health, sustainable waste management, education and career guidance, and family-centered digital support. Their diverse approaches to solving today’s challenges all share a common goal: translating research-based ideas into practical solutions that address real-world challenges in health, sustainability, and society.
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