Strong start for EXIST Women at Hamburg University of Technology

High demand and strong early engagement

The EXIST Women support programme has got off to a flying start at the Hamburg University of Technology. Numerous women from the university interested in starting their own businesses responded to the call for participants—clear evidence of the growing interest in entrepreneurial career paths among female researchers and students.

Effective pre-application support

Startup Port @TUHH had already provided targeted support in the run-up to the launch. At a breakfast event for female founders held shortly before the application deadline, open questions were clarified, uncertainties addressed and concrete next steps discussed. The response was overwhelming: many interested women took part, and the majority of them subsequently submitted an application. The format proved to be an effective pre-application touchpoint, lowering barriers and encouraging participation.

Diverse ideas across disciplines

The programme is now launching with a selected cohort of female founders whose ideas span various disciplines—from technology-driven approaches to socially oriented innovations. What they share is their origin at TU Hamburg and the ambition to transform initial concepts into viable business models.

Kick-off focused on community and personal growth

The official launch was complemented by a multi-day kick-off event designed to foster community building and personal development. In an intensive off-site format, participants worked on topics such as self-reflection, resilience, stress management and personal positioning. At the same time, the setting enabled in-depth exchange, peer learning and initial pitch sessions. The goal is not only to strengthen individual start-up projects but also to build a resilient and supportive network within the cohort.

Ongoing support and long-term impact

Throughout the funding period, participants will receive continuous support from Startup Port @TUHH. In addition to individual mentoring, the programme emphasizes workshops, sparring sessions and access to the broader start-up ecosystem. The objective is clear: to further refine ideas and guide them towards implementation with maximum impact.

With the successful launch of EXIST Women, TU Hamburg once again positions itself as a key driver of female entrepreneurship—sending a strong signal for greater diversity in the start-up landscape of the Hamburg metropolitan region.

If you are interested or have any questions about the programme, please contact: startupport(at)tuhh.de