EXIST: Sustainable support for startups

The EXIST funding program remains a key driver, especially for technology-oriented Munich-based and supra-regional startups. The current Monitoring report This shows how strong the effect actually is: 63 percent of the teams surveyed stated that they would not have been able to implement their business venture without the funding.

The data comes from the monitoring of the project management agency Jülich and is based on funding data as well as surveys of funded teams. It clearly shows that funding programs like EXIST are not just support for many projects, but a prerequisite.

Bavaria as a central EXIST location

Since 2007, approximately 6,051 applications have been submitted, and 3,331 projects have received funding. This corresponds to a success rate of about 55 percent. A total of nearly €368 million has been invested in science-based startups.

Bavaria is one of the most influential German states in the EXIST program. Together with North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Berlin, the Free State leads in applications, approvals, and funding. Universities, in particular, form the backbone of this development. Institutions like Technische Universität München have been among the most active participants for many years.

A look at the supported technology fields reveals clear priorities: Software is by far the most important, both overall and in 2025. This is followed by internet-based business models and communication technologies. Other relevant areas include medical technology, biotechnology, and energy.

The structure of the funding thus reflects the focus of technology-oriented startups. Digital business models dominate, while other technology fields represent smaller but consistent shares.

The success indicators remain high. Around 87 percent of the supported teams actually start a company. Five years after the funding ends, almost 80 percent are still active in the market. By the end of 2025, this had resulted in approximately 32,700 jobs subject to social security contributions.

More women start businesses with EXIST

In addition to the economic effects, the report also reveals structural changes in the startup ecosystem. The proportion of women in EXIST-funded teams has been rising for years and will reach a peak of over 30 percent in 2025. EXIST-Women This is supported by a dedicated program for female founders.

This is changing a field that has long been dominated by men. Funding programs associated with EXIST aim to attract more women to entrepreneurial careers in science and technology. Developments in recent years indicate that these approaches are working.

The preparation of the teams is also receiving greater attention. The so-called Stage of Business Planning measures the maturity of the business plan in areas such as the business model, market analysis, and financing. The report shows a clear correlation: Teams with a higher level of planning maturity are more likely to launch a company and have a better chance of raising capital.

Overall, the monitoring report confirms EXIST's role as an interface between research and the market. Particularly in innovation-driven regions like Bavaria, the program contributes to developing viable startups from scientific projects.