In 2026, we will once again be able to offer an independent programme for female founders as part of the EXIST Women funding initiative by the BMWI.

Who is eligible for funding?

Female founders who are either sole founders or part of a team with a shared start-up idea. The programme is intended to be used to further develop this idea and, for example, prepare an application for an EXIST start-up grant. It is important that you have not yet founded a company and/or participated in any start-up support programme. Details on the legal conditions can be found in the guidelines here.

What does the programme include?

• A grant of € 1,000 to a maximum of € 3,000 per month for up to 3 months (see guidelines for details)
• Participation in the newly launched Crew Reykjavik, including a qualification programme, networking opportunities, etc. (see above for more information)
• € 2,000 in material resources
• Additional workshops on specific topics related to supporting female founders
• Mentoring by experienced female founders
• Option of free office space during the programme
• Networking with EXIST Women female founders from other universities in the metropolitan region

How can I apply?

Written documents must be submitted and pitched to a jury. The following schedule applies:

• Submission of documents by 22 February 2026
• Application pitches between 16 March 2026 and 20 March 2026
• Kick-off of Crew Reykjavik on 15 April 2026 (approx. 3 hours in the morning)
• Programme start with a joint workshop weekend from 24 April 2026 to 26 April 2026 (all three days full-time) in Steinberghaff (mandatory)
• Reflection workshops tbd (mandatory)
• Participation in the ‘Seminar Gründerin’ (Founder Seminar) in Munich or Berlin is also mandatory.

What is expected of you?

We expect high motivation and full commitment to advancing your own start-up idea. We want the TUHH scholarship holders to become a group in which each individual benefits as much as possible from the close exchange and time spent together in a similar situation. To this end, we expect participation in the kick-off event, the workshop weekend and the reflection workshops held every three to four months. Participation in other workshops at the TUHH or other universities in the ecosystem is voluntary and should serve exclusively to further your progress.

What documents must be submitted?

• Information about yourself
• Information about your motivation for starting a business
• Pitch deck (read deck) with questions about your idea
• You can find the template here.

If you have any questions, please contact: startupport(at)tuhh.de