Are you interested in starting your own business? Do you already have an idea? The “Gründungsheldinnen” (Founding Heroines) program, part of the EXIST-Women funding initiative, is here to support you in 2026 (subject to funding approval). Participants of the program recieve personalized coaching and attend workshops on topics such as business models, financing, market analysis, and target audiences. Together with a cohort of up to 10 aspiring women founders, and alongside other startups from the Oldenburg region, you’ll regularly exchange ideas and insights on key entrepreneurial challenges. The program also offers opportunities to connect with women founders from across Germany through nationwide workshops. Each participant is paired with a personal female mentor, providing guidance and sharing valuable experience at critical moments.

Applications open on November 1, 2026.

You will receive a one-time grant of €2,000, which can be used for travel expenses and materials.

In addition, you may be eligible for one of the following scholarships for up to 3 months (subject to certain conditions*):

€1,000 per month for students, over €2,500 per month for graduates (Bachelor's or Master's), or up to €3,000 per month for doctoral candidates

*Eligibility conditions: You are either unemployed or working no more than 20 hours per week, and you have not previously received another startup grant.

Summary of Info:

• Qualification program in 2026
• One-time lump sum of €2000
• Up to 3 months scholarship (€1000 - €3000/month, subject to social security contributions)
• Mentoring

Requirements:

• Women only
• Female students, employees, researchers, alumni
• Certain requirements apply for the scholarship (see above)
• A startup idea is not required at this stage, but ongoing work on an existing idea is, of course, welcome

Application:

• The application period runs from November 1 to January 9, 2026.
• What you need to do for your application: 1. Make an appointment with us for a consultation and 2. submit a creative contribution. This contribution should reflect you and your idea. The format is entirely up to you: whether it's a prototype, an Instagram post (please tag @gruendungsuni_ol), a mind map, a pinboard, take a photo of it, send it by email to ; subject line: Application EXIST-Women “Gründungsheldinnen”.
• The selection will be made by a five-member jury in January 2026, subject to the allocation of funds.

For any questions please contact Dr Annika Summ Tel. 0441 798 4941) or Janneke Mertens-Fabian ; Tel. 0441 798 4946).

You can find more information about Exist Women here: exist.de/programm/exist-women/