Developing ideas and personalities
"I am particularly proud of this very first group of EXIST Women scholarship holders in Bonn. Over the past year, they have not only developed their start-up ideas, but also their personalities. We are celebrating these strong women today and are very pleased that we will also be able to accompany a new group of female founders on their journey in 2025," said Sandra Speer, head of the Transfer Centre enaCom. Özlem Doger-Herter, who is herself the founder of Ask-a-woman.com and accompanied the program, concluded by presenting her ten most important success factors for a start-up. Despite all the obstacles along the way, the most important thing is to "just do it". Among other things, she also organises the regular Female Founders Cozy Meetup at the RHEINHUB at Bonner Bogen.
Wide range of start-up ideas
The participants came from a wide range of disciplines: from bachelor's students in food science to master's graduates in start-up development and PhDs in social sciences. The scholarship holders' projects are just as diverse as their backgrounds, such as a culturally sensitive retirement home, a synthetic alcohol-free wine or a platform to improve everyday medical care. What all participants have in common is their motivation to find creative solutions to the problems of our time through innovation.
Diverse funding opportunities tailored to women
By participating in the funding program, those interested in founding a company were able to come a step closer to this goal. During the one-year period, the participants were able to comprehensively validate their ideas and gain new co-founders and pilot customers for their projects. Further valuable contacts were made at various events. In workshops, they also received useful advice on legal issues and topics such as market analyses and pricing. In addition to the extensive counselling services, the participants also received a financial grant for three months. This support enabled them to lay the foundations for their projects.
The scholarship holders received intensive support from start-up consultant Anna Villwock from the Transfer Centre enaCom and advice on possible follow-up funding. "We had a really great dynamic in this first cohort. Even though the program is now coming to an end, we will of course continue to advise them and the participants should benefit from the EXIST Women funding in the long term," explains Anna Villwock, who coordinates the program.
Apply now!
Would you also like to become a founder? EXIST Women is entering a new round in 2025 and you can be part of it. Applications can be submitted until 5 January 2025. The EXIST Women program supports all female students, graduates, scientists and women with professional qualifications. Further information can be found here
(*subject to approval of the EXIST Women Program at the University of Bonn)