Many new ventures in Bavaria emerge from university teams. Exist funding is tailored to this and therefore plays an essential role for many Munich startups. However, most founders are familiar with and fear the effort associated with government funding: research, forms, documentation. The list is long, and the time commitment is high.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy wants to significantly simplify this process for Exist funding. With a comprehensive reform of the program and the introduction of a new IP deal database, the ministry is responding to the needs of the startup scene. The goal is to accelerate application procedures, digitalize processes, and reduce administrative burden.
Gitta Connemann, Parliamentary State Secretary and SME Representative, explains:
“Founders need no complicated forms and application procedures, but clear processes and fast decisions. With leaner procedures for Exist, we want to set standards for modern, digital funding policy. Our goal is to create an environment in which innovative teams can bring their business ideas to market maturity even faster.”
Digital procedures and transparent structures
The most important innovations in the Exist program primarily concern digitalization and simplification of application processes: From now on, applications can be submitted entirely digitally. Approvals and notices are also transmitted electronically to accelerate processes.
Furthermore, the number of application documents for the Exist founder grant has been halved, the scope of the idea paper reduced, and project implementation simplified. Universities and founding teams will in future have less documentation burden since milestones and requirements have been streamlined.
Also new is the option to request and settle material expenses as a lump sum. Applicants no longer need to submit receipts individually. A revised website also provides more clarity and clearer communication of funding requirements.
IP deal database for greater efficiency in research spinouts
The Technical University of Berlin also developed an IP deal database on behalf of the BMWE. This creates transparency in the evaluation and transfer of intellectual property rights from academia. Many founding teams need access to patents or know-how held by universities. The new database makes this faster and more efficient.
Thanks to the platform, founders can also better assess the value of intellectual property early on and thus better structure negotiations with investors and follow-on financing for research-based ventures.
The Exist program has been supporting knowledge-based ventures from universities and research institutions for years. It aims to support the transfer of scientific findings into market-ready products and assist researchers in an entrepreneurial career.
Further information and application: www.exist.de
