Efficient strategies for more start-ups EXIST: 150 universities inform themselves about Good Practices supporting start-ups

On 31 May and 1 June 2023, over 250 representatives of EXIST-funded start-up support projects from around 150 universities throughout Germany will meet at TU Braunschweig. The aim is to increase the number and success of technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups by networking the players and exchanging successful start-up support measures in teaching, research and administration. The two-day EXIST workshop, which is organised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, will be hosted by the Entrepreneurship Hub of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences in 2023.

Strengthening women start-up founders and diversity

For the participants of the event, there is a diverse selection of workshop topics such as the internationalisation of start-ups, qualification for start-up consulting, business models for universities, Social Entrepreneurship or the continuation of funding projects. The topic of Female Entrepreneurship is also an important part of the programme. The future funding programme EXIST-Women is to be introduced as a new part of the EXIST funding family and will be explained at the workshop.

A workshop on the challenges of AI for start-up networks will provide information on this. AI-based business models offer innovative start-ups enormous potential for growth. A wide range of opportunities are opening up both in the development of new methods and in the application of existing AI technologies. Since 2021, various measures have been tested in Berlin, Bavaria, Hesse and Hamburg as part of AI model projects to enable targeted support for start-up projects in the field of artificial intelligence. During the workshop, participants will address various questions on this topic, such as how to increase the number of AI start-ups funded in the EXIST programme or how other universities can benefit from the prototype funding at the four locations.

Promoting global start-ups

The programme will be followed by a workshop of the start-up networks funded in “International überzeugen” (Convincing Internationally). With its focus on “International überzeugen”, the EXIST Potentials funding line aims to position Germany as a leading player in the global market for science-based start-ups. To this end, start-up teams are to be sensitised to an international team composition and prepared for an international market entry.

In addition to the professional and interactive workshop sessions, participants can take part in joint discussion and networking events and exchange ideas and good practice approaches in start-up counselling.

About EXIST

EXIST is a funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and supports start-up networks, universities and non-university research institutions. The aim of the programme is to increase the number of innovative spin-offs with the help of start-up support services in teaching, research and administration in order to improve the start-up climate at universities and non-university research institutions. In addition, EXIST promotes in competitions a lively and sustainable start-up culture at public and private universities.