The “Junge Innovatoren” funding program aims to support early-stage founders in turning their innovative ideas into marketable products or business models.
The program focuses on the preparatory phase of founding a company and promotes projects that are based on inventions, self-developed software or technological know-how of the founders.
Who is supported?
- Graduates and academic staff from Baden-Württemberg who have been working on their start-up idea for no longer than five years after completing their studies.
- Start-up teams consisting of at least two people, at least one of whom meets the above criteria and is made up of a combination of academic and entrepreneurial skills.
What exactly does the funding look like?
- 12 months of financial support to secure the livelihood (up to half a salary of the TV-L E13 remuneration group) of max. 3 founding members
- 20,000 EUR material resources
- 5,000 EUR coaching costs
- Opportunity to use the university’s resources
Selection criteria:
Funding through the “Junge Innovatoren” program is competition-based. Only the best start-up ideas with the greatest potential are supported.
- Degree of innovation of the business idea
- Economic viability of the start-up project
- Stable and qualified team
- Personal suitability and entrepreneurial qualifications of the founders
- Existence of a sustainable network
The application is submitted via the university or research institution. The application can be submitted at any time.
Additional facts:
The “Young Innovators” program is one of the most successful funding programs for start-ups in Germany.
It has contributed to the founding of numerous innovative companies in Baden-Württemberg.
The program is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.
Click here for the websites of the funding bodies: