The funding program 'EXIST – Start-ups from science' is intended to become even more attractive for female founders in the future. Over the past 25 years, the BMKW has gradually adapted the program's funding guidelines and support to increase the proportion of female founders in startup teams.
More female founders than in 2007
According to the Federal Ministry of Energy, Water, Power and Water Management (BMKW), since the launch of the EXIST Start-up Scholarship in 2007, the annual proportion of women among scholarship recipients has ranged between nine and 15 percent. In 2015, a one-time share of 18 percent was reached, which subsequently fell back to its previous level. The ministry cites one of the reasons for the lower proportion of women as being that at that time the proportion of women among students in the so-called STEM subjects was also low. Since 2018, however, there has been an annual increase in the proportion of women, from 13 to 16 percent in 2019, from 19 percent in 2020, and now to 21 percent last year. According to the BMWK, the proportion of women in STEM subjects has also now risen to around 30 percent.
Better support for women with family responsibilities
As an external evaluator, Ramboll Management Consulting The EXIST funding program in spring 2021 attested to an above-average proportion of women. However, the consulting firm recommends further adjustments to the funding program to maintain this positive trend. In particular, the EXIST funding program should be made more family-friendly in order to particularly support women with family responsibilities. For example, it should be possible in the future to extend spin-off projects if female team members have children. The child allowance for the care costs of parents in the funded projects should also be increased. In addition, female role models and more gender-sensitive language should also be used to improve the appeal to women who want to start a business.
EXIST is a funding program of the BMWK and supports university graduates, scientists, and students in preparing to start their own businesses. Munich startups such as Kewazo or Fazua have already benefited from the funding.
