Funding schemes
Various federal and state funding programmes are available to start-up founders at Worms University of Applied Sciences – from the preparatory phase through to the actual launch and into the growth phase. The Start-up Centre will help you choose the right programme and guide you through the application process. The following sections provide an overview; detailed information is available via the relevant links or during a personal consultation with the start-up advisory service.
Federal funding programme for science-based start-up ideas originating from universities. Students, graduates (up to five years after graduation) and academic staff receive, depending on their qualifications, a grant of €1,000–3,000 per month for twelve months, as well as a budget for equipment and coaching of up to €30,000 (per team). Applications must be submitted via the university – please contact the Start-up Centre in good time.
Start-up grant from the State of Rhineland-Palatinate for the early start-up phase: €1,000 per month for up to twelve months, non-repayable. An initial consultation with an accredited start-up partner is a prerequisite – the Start-up Centre fulfils this role for Worms University of Applied Sciences. Application period: annually from 15 January to 15 March.
Grant scheme run by the State of Rhineland-Palatinate for existing businesses (established no more than three years ago) with an innovative, technology-based business idea. Funding is available for, amongst other things, staff costs, prototype development and market launch, with a one-off grant of €10,000–100,000 (covering up to 75 per cent of the costs).
Link: startup innovativ
For the growth phase following start-up, the state offers an accelerator programme called GROW in RLP: up to six selected start-ups receive intensive one-to-one coaching, workshops and access to a network of mentors from the Rhineland-Palatinate business community over a period of six to nine months. Applications are accepted annually in January/February.
The development and testing of prototypes can be funded both from the equipment budget of the EXIST start-up grant and from the startup innovativ grant. In addition, the ISB supports research and development projects through the InnoTop programme and innovation vouchers, including collaboration with research institutions on prototype development.
Link: isb.rlp.de – Innovation & Digitalisation
Please contact the DesignLab at Worms University of Applied Sciences if you are interested in prototype development. Contact: Christian Hoesl-Christhal (hoesl@hs-worms.de)