Start-up Centre Partnership
Cooperation
The Start-up Centre at Worms University of Applied Sciences is the first point of contact for students and staff during the pre-launch phase of setting up their own business. It offers founders a wide range of events designed to raise awareness and provide training.
Events are held at regular intervals in collaboration with the Diversity Office, aimed specifically at interested female students and female founders. These events, featuring successful female start-up entrepreneurs, are designed to inspire and motivate them.
Further information on the Start-up Centre and the term programme is available from the Start-up Centre.
EXIST-Women
The EXIST-Women funding programme supports female students, graduates and staff members interested in starting a business as they take the step towards self-employment. You can find the current status of the application window, details of the funding programme and frequently asked questions on the EXIST-Women funding programme page.
Testimonials from scholarship recipients
Jette
“The EXIST-Women funding programme focuses on developing the personality of female founders and offers you the chance to further develop your start-up idea or to come up with one. As I had no prior academic background in this field, the programme was a valuable opportunity for me to combine my practical experience with knowledge relevant to starting a business and to expand my own network. Working with my mentor, who provided me with strategic guidance and support, was particularly enriching.
Thanks to the scholarship and the lump-sum allowance for materials, I received financial support which was a great help with sourcing materials, developing my MVP and covering travel expenses. The workshops, events and training opportunities sharpened my perspective and strengthened my personal and professional development.
I can only encourage any woman considering taking part in the programme to go for it! The University of Applied Sciences Worms provides fantastic and open support throughout.” – Jette
If you have any questions or would like to connect, you can reach Jette via LinkedIn.
Hina
“EXIST women provided me with clarity and structured guidance for an early-stage idea that initially felt broad and unstructured. It’s been a holistic experience that has helped me slow down, think more deeply, and gain clarity about myself as a founder. Events such as ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling’ and the capacity-building workshop in Munich particularly broadened my perspective beyond the operational aspects of building a start-up. They encouraged me to reflect on leadership, visibility, negotiation and long-term personal positioning. I absolutely treasure this experience and am looking forward to continuing to develop as a founder with a renewed sense of direction.” – Hina
If you have any questions or would like to connect, you can reach Hina via LinkedIn.
Naomi
“EXIST-Women has been a fantastic experience for me, particularly the empowering support from my mentor, which helped me refine and further develop my projects. The seminars offered by EXIST-Women allowed me to connect with other women who share the same mindset and ambitions in entrepreneurship and to think outside the box. I found it very important to be part of a group that shares the same vision, as we encourage one another, exchange ideas, and uplift each other.
Moreover, the programme helped me discover my personal strengths and realise that every journey starts small. I learnt not to give up on my dreams when progress feels slow, but instead to be patient with myself and to keep moving forward.” – Naomi
If you have any questions or would like to connect, you can reach Naomi via LinkedIn.
You can read the press release on the first funding period in 2024. [Please check: add the link to the press release]
Suhaidatu
“The EXIST Women programme has enabled me to take my business idea more seriously. The other women in my group have been very supportive, and their own ideas are also a great source of inspiration.” – Suhaidatu
Sabine
“EXIST Women has given me the opportunity to develop a business idea based on my passion: being a curling coach. The encouraging atmosphere and the ‘spirit of female empowerment’ in the workshops – whether coming from the trainers or the other participants – have constantly motivated me to pursue my vision. I’ve had the chance to meet lots of wonderful and impressive women, and as networking is one of the most important activities when starting a business, I won’t be stopping there in future.” – Sabine
If you have any questions or would like to connect, you can reach Sabine via LinkedIn.
Jorah
“Through EXIST-Women, I’ve found the courage to give my ideas a name and to see starting a business as a realistic prospect for the future. The discussions with the other women and my mentor helped me develop my idea further. Together with my co-founder, whom I met there, we are now planning to apply for an EXIST start-up grant.” – Jorah
If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences of EXIST-Women, you can contact Jorah by email: jorah@posteo.de
Dorinne
“EXIST-Women gave me exactly the confidence I needed to finally get started on my start-up project. Thanks to a wide range of interesting workshops, such as ‘Find yourself – Discover yourself and your strengths and weaknesses as a founder’, and exciting networking opportunities, such as the EXIST Congress in Berlin, I now have the tools I need to successfully launch my business. My life has changed fundamentally within a year, and I’m looking forward to my continued journey as a founder.” – Dorinne
If you have any questions or would like to connect, you can reach Dorinne via LinkedIn.
Past events
You can find the FocusFrauen events, organised in collaboration with GründungsWerkstatt, in the Diversity Office’s events calendar.