The University of Oldenburg and the City of Oldenburg have jointly set up a new funding pool. University members who want to set up a company can now apply for grants. For example, founders can receive funding for counselling, start-up-related further education or participation in trade fairs. The production of prototypes is also supported. The funding amounts to up to 800 euros and does not have to be repaid.

"The funding line is an important new component of our start-up funding programme to support spin-offs from the outset. I am very pleased that we can achieve a lot here together with the city," says University President Prof Dr Ralph Bruder. Jürgen Krogmann, Lord Mayor of the City of Oldenburg, adds: "The university is a source of innovative ideas and therefore an important factor for the future viability of our north-west region. With our contribution to the funding pool, we would now like to support the university's founders directly for the first time."

The establishment and support of the new funding pool is part of the EXIST project. The aim of EXIST funding is to strengthen start-up support at universities and create favourable conditions for innovative and fast-growing start-ups from the world of science. In the current funding period, the university is focusing on regional networking and start-ups in the fields of healthcare and digitalisation. The financing of the funding is provided by the university from budget funds, while the city contributes 20 per cent of the budget. Interested parties can apply for support from the funding pool in a two-stage process at the university's Start-up and Innovation Centre (GIZ). uol.de/giz/foerderpool