EXIST Women 2026 launched: Nine aspiring female founders receive support on the way to their own startup

Nine different ideas, one common goal: to develop viable innovations from scientifically sound approaches that can have a real impact.

The EXIST Women program started its new round with a kick-off event at TUD|excite Space on 24 April 2026. The program at TU Dresden is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The aim is to systematically promote scientific ideas in the direction of start-ups and to build an active, supportive community of female founders at TU Dresden.

© TUD|excite, Frauke Posselt

At the kick-off event, the main focus was on getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and onboarding together. The atmosphere was full of energy and characterized by openness and great enthusiasm for their own projects.

The participants' projects cover a wide range of topics - from an AI-based self-help platform, a training tool for microsurgery and wearable biosensors to approaches to cell replacement therapy, an AI platform for the chip industry and screen-free tools. By the end of the year, the budding founders will have developed their ideas further in the direction of founding a company.

© TUD|excite, Frauke Posselt

In the coming weeks, the EXIST Women can expect intensive workshops on prototyping, business model development and founder personality, a joint offsite retreat, intensive work phases on the projects and in a targeted manner networking formats. In addition, the female founders are supported with material resources amounting to 2,000 euros as well as the possibility of a three-month grant to further strengthen the development of their projects.

The start has been made - now it is a matter of further honing and validating the ideas and taking them step by step towards implementation.

Contact person for the exist Women program:

Julia Lüpfert
TUD|excite, Startup Manager