Finding the right financing is often a crucial step on the path from idea to startup. Whether it’s a grant program, a scholarship, or initial financing options—FOUND IT! helps you find the right opportunities and better plan your next steps.
Find Suitable Funding Opportunities
Not every financing option is right for every project. Together, we’ll explore which options are best suited to your idea, your current stage of development, and your goals.
We’ll help you with:
- navigating grant programs and funding options
- preparing grant applications
- finding suitable competitions and scholarships
- Questions about crowdfunding, investors, and other forms of financing
- providing information on startup loans and funding opportunities
Here, you'll get support to bring your idea to life
Find Suitable Funding Programs
EXIST Research Transfer (up to 430,000 euros, maximum duration of 42 months)
The EXIST Research Transfer program provides support specifically for research-based and technology-oriented startup projects. The program supports teams through two funding phases, from the further development of scientific results through to the preparation for company formation and market launch.
Who is eligible for funding?
- Research teams at universities and non-university research institutions
- up to 3 researchers, including up to 1 technician or lab assistant and one person with Business Studies expertise
What is funded?
Development work to demonstrate technical feasibility, prototype development, intellectual property rights, drafting of the business plan, and company formation
When can funding be applied for?
Project proposals may be submitted on an ongoing basis, but they are collected in batches by March 31, August 31, and November 30.
ego. Startup Transfer (up to 200,000 euros, flexible term)
The ego. Start-up Grant supports technology- and knowledge-based start-up ideas from universities in Saxony-Anhalt during the pre-launch phase. The goal is to further develop innovative projects at an early stage and lay the foundation for a successful business launch.
Who is eligible?
- Entrepreneurs in the pre-launch phase who hold an academic degree and are planning to launch an innovative, technology- or knowledge-based startup.
What is funded?
Personnel expenses for startup teams (up to 3 people), product development, feasibility studies, and equipment needed to prepare for the startup
EXIST Startup Grant (up to 140,000 euros, duration: 12 months)
The EXIST Startup Grant supports innovative and knowledge-based startup ideas from universities and research institutions in their early stages. The most important prerequisite is that the planned business idea involves an innovative, technology-oriented, or knowledge-based product with significant unique selling points and good prospects for economic success.
Who is eligible?
- Researchers
- College graduates and former research assistants (up to five years after graduation or leaving their position).
- Students who have completed at least half of their degree program at the time of application, provided that the team does not consist primarily of students.
- Startup teams of up to three people.
- One team member may also be eligible for funding as a technical staff member if they have completed a state-recognized vocational training program. Alternatively, one team member’s graduation may have occurred more than five years ago.
What is funded?
Innovative, technology-oriented startup projects.
Innovative, knowledge-based services grounded in scientific findings.
When can funding be applied for?
Applications may be submitted at any time.
ego.-START (up to 100,000 euros, maximum term of 18 months)
ego.-START supports innovative startup projects and business succession plans in Saxony-Anhalt by providing assistance for individual training measures and to cover living expenses for highly innovative projects.
Who is eligible for funding?
- Entrepreneurs
- Business successors
What is funded?
Startup grant (2,000 euros per month for up to 18 months), coaching services, feasibility studies, market entry and marketing measures
GO-Bio Initial (up to 100,000 euros during the exploratory phase, duration of up to 12 months; in the feasibility phase, up to 500,000 euros for individual projects and up to 1,000,000 euros for collaborative projects, with a duration of up to 24 months)
GO-Bio initial supports the development of early-stage life sciences research ideas with high innovation potential. The program’s goal is to flesh out promising commercialization ideas stemming from research, demonstrate their feasibility, and prepare them for a future spin-off or follow-up funding.
Who is eligible for funding?
- Researchers at universities and non-university research institutions
- Individuals or teams, particularly researchers in the early stages of their careers (e.g., master’s students, doctoral students, postdocs) as well as experienced scientists with a commercialization idea
What is funded?
- Early-stage commercialization ideas from the life sciences with high innovation potential, e.g., in the areas of therapeutics, diagnostics, platform technologies, and research tools
- Fleshing out such ideas
- the examination of potential application pathways
- Development of initial business models
When can funding be applied for?
Project outlines must be submitted annually by the deadline of February 15. Following a successful exploratory phase, an application for the feasibility phase may then be submitted.
In addition to regional funding programs, there are numerous other support options available at the federal level.
Testing Ideas & Bringing Them to Life
FOUND IT! Ideencup (up to 1,000 euros for your idea)
The Ideencup is Anhalt University of Applied Sciences’ idea competition for students with early-stage startup ideas. Here, you can present your idea, receive valuable feedback from experts, and take your first steps toward entrepreneurship—all without a finished business plan.
Who is eligible?
- Students with innovative business ideas who are enrolled at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
- You can participate as an individual or as a team.
What’s up for grabs?
The good ideas will be awarded prize money. In addition, participants will benefit from feedback from a jury of business experts, new contacts, and valuable insights for further developing their idea.
Application Period
The Ideencup takes place once a year. The application period typically runs from March 1 to April 15.
Startup Grant (up to 2,400 euros for your startup project)
The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Startup Grant supports students and graduates in further developing innovative business ideas during the pre-launch phase. This financial support provides the flexibility needed to take targeted steps toward launching a business.
Who is eligible?
- Students at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences graduates whose most recent college degree was earned no more than three years ago
- Funding is intended for innovative projects in the pre-startup phase
What is funded?
Development of prototypes, search for co-founders, creation of business plans or grant applications, as well as initial marketing and validation efforts.
Application Period
The startup grant is announced once a year. The application period typically runs from September 1 to October 15.
Networks & Partners
Depending on your project, we can also connect you with regional partners, business angels, and specialized support services.
Depending on the stage of development of your project, various forms of support may be relevant—ranging from initial financing discussions with banks to contacts with private investors and business angels, all the way to venture capital or industry-specific networks and partners.
HIER. we go! – Saxony-Anhalt’s Startup Network
The HIER. we go! platform offers you an overview of the startup ecosystem in Saxony-Anhalt. There you’ll find more information on funding opportunities, infrastructure, and helpful tips and insights for day-to-day startup operations.
