- Our focus is on funding start-up projects that develop sustainable and innovative technological solutions for key challenges of today’s societies. Topic areas:
- Energy transition, energy efficiency
- Environmental technologies (climate change, sustainability, circular economy, green tech)
- Smart city (construction, transportation/mobility, security, services for more sustainability and well-being)
- Social entrepreneurship
- Women in tech and science
- Digital solutions, internet of things, artificial intelligence, IT security
- The business model and the resulting company are geared towards economic success and the commercial exploitation of the business idea.
- Only teams are funded (2-5 people).
- Founders eligible for funding are the key experts for the start-up project, business model development, and product development, and will have shares in the company.
- Team members cover a range of relevant interdisciplinary, professional, technical and business-related skills.
- If possible, the company should not yet have been founded; if the company already exists, it should not yet be actively participating in the market.
WHAT do we support? | WHO do we support? | HOW do we support? | Your application | FAQ | Downloads
- Founders with a university degree are preferred.
- It is vital that the founders have an officially registered address in Berlin (for the entire duration of the programme).
- We only accept founders who have not yet received funding from another start-up grant, e.g., EXIST.
- Our founders work full-time on their start-up project; other full-time employment during the programme is not accepted.
WHAT do we support? | WHO do we support? | HOW do we support? | Your application | FAQ | Downloads
- Only teams are funded (2-5 people).
- Each founder receives a grant of 2,200 euros per person per month for max. 12 months.
- You receive a free workplace in our coworking space located at Science and Technology Park Adlershof.
- We offer workshops on start-up-related topics (mandatory participation).
- We organise network events fostering an intensive exchange with other start-up teams.
- You receive access to the WISTA network, including stakeholders from the industry, research, policy, and the media.
- You are accompanied, coached and supported by the GWA team, our WISTA mentors as well as external experts.
WHAT do we support? | WHO do we support? | HOW do we support? | Your application | FAQ | Downloads
Your application must include the following documents:
- Business concept (maximum 10 pages):
- Summary
- Product description
- Description of the founding team
- Market analysis
- Marketing Plan
- Financial plan
- Company/organization
- CVs of the founders
- Detailed milestone plan broken down for every month of the 12-month funding period
- Personal information “declaration” – to be filled out by each person
- Information on the start-up “incorporation” – fill out once per team
The application deadline is 26.04.2024 at 11:59 pm.
Please send your complete application to gwa(at)wista.de
WHAT do we support? | WHO do we support? | HOW do we support? | Your application | FAQ | Downloads
What does the GWA programme offer?
The founders participating in the GWA receive financial support. The monthly grant of 2,200 euros is paid out at the middle of the month. The participating founders must take part in the workshops on topics related to business founding; participation is mandatory. Moreover, GWA hosts a range of networking events that foster an exchange with other start-up teams. Participating founders receive a workplace/desk at our coworking space in Berlin Adlershof. You receive access to the WISTA network, including stakeholders from the industry, research, policy, and the media.
WISTA Management GmbH operates Germany’s largest technology and business location – the Science and Technology Park Adlershof in Berlin’s Southeast. It boasts more than 1,200 companies and 17 scientific research institutions. The GWA programme has already supported 33 teams with in total 79 founders.
How mature can and should my business idea be for me to apply?
The Berlin Startup Scholarship provides early-stage funding. The aim is for founders to acquire basic competencies regarding the founding of a business and to enable them to develop their founding ideas and bring them to market maturity.
You should already have a concrete start-up idea, a prototype, or a prototype-like process. And you should be able to describe your start-up idea in a short business concept (see application).
Which start-up topics are funded?
Our focus is on funding start-up projects that develop sustainable and innovative technological solutions for key challenges of today’s societies.
Topic areas:
- Energy transition, energy efficiency
- Environmental technologies (climate change, sustainability, circular economy, green tech)
- Smart city (construction, transportation/mobility, security, services for more sustainability and well-being)
- Social entrepreneurship
- Women in tech and science
- Digital solutions, internet of things, artificial intelligence, IT security
The business model and the resulting company are geared towards economic success and the commercial exploitation of the business idea.
My main registered address is not in Berlin. Can I still apply for funding?
Can founders from non-EU countries receive funding?
Yes. The main thing is that your main registered address is in Berlin. And you need a valid residence permit for the entire duration of the programme, which permits employment and the founding of a company (this means also self-employment must be allowed). If you have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you resolve any issues.
GWA is a full-time programme. What does that mean?
The Berlin Startup Scholarship is a full-time scholarship. This means that the founders work full-time (160 hours per month) on their start-up idea and participate in the programme's workshops and events. Full-time employment or studying full-time parallel to the GWA programme is not permitted. If you are in your last semester or about to complete a degree, it may be possible to receive funding.
Where does the programme take place?
The GWA programme takes place in Berlin Adlershof. The founding teams receive a workplace at our coworking space. Workshops, networking events, support and coaching will also take place face-to-face in Berlin Adlershof.
After founding a company, must I give company shares to GWA/WISTA?
Is the scholarship subject to taxes? Am I insured through the scholarship?
The scholarship you receive is pre-tax. The scholarship contract is not an employment contract. Founders must pay for income tax, social security contributions, health insurance, etc. using the scholarship.
Our recommendation: Contact your local tax office (Finanzamt) at an early stage and talk to them about your income tax situation.
What application documents do I need to send?
Your business concept must be part of your application (max. 10 pages). It should include the following points: summary, product description, description of the founding team, market analysis, marketing plan, financial plan, and description of the company/organization.
In addition, it should include the CVs of the founders, a milestone plan, and personal information (Selbstauskunft).
Find more details under “Your application”
The business concept can be submitted in German or English.
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Business ConceptTemplate for the application to the Adlershof Founder's Lab 2024pdf (113,59 KB) -
Personal informationTemplate for the application to the Adlershof Founder's Lab 2024pdf (64,32 KB) -
Information on the incorporationTemplate for the application to the Adlershof Founder's Lab 2024pdf (72,79 KB)