Starting a Business during University

1. Your early Start is allowed!

University offers the perfect framework:

• Access to networks through universities, professors, start-up centres
• Time flexibility, as projects during studies can be planned individually
• Lower risk, because often there is no full financial responsibility yet (family, house etc.)
• You can build a customer base and security before you graduate

The difference to starting after graduation: You probably start with less capital, but with strong access to knowledge and support.

2. Funding for you as a Student

There are dedicated funding programmes specifically for students:

• EXIST-Gründerstipendium: Up to €3,000 monthly + material resources for innovative ideas (EXIST-Programm).
• Deutschlandstipendium: Funding of €300 monthly for particularly committed students, often combinable with start-up projects (Deutschlandstipendium).
• Microloans and state start-up scholarships: e.g. Gründerstipendium NRW.
• Check with your university whether there is a start-up or entrepreneurship initiative!

3. Use Networks and University Offers

Many universities have their own start-up centres, but there are also nationwide initiatives:

• Incubators & accelerator programmes: Support with financing, marketing and pitch training.
• Career centres & entrepreneurship departments: Knowledge, workshops, mentors.
• Start-up competitions: Prize money, visibility and coaching, at your university or e.g. from the Gesellschaft für Innovation.
• Hochschulgründernetzwerke Deutschland: a list of initiatives in various cities and federal states.

Contact Points – Overview

4. How you can proceed

1. Check starting position

• Check how self-employment affects your BAföG (BAföG Digital).
• Clarify your health insurance status with the GKV.
• Calculate whether you remain below the basic tax allowance (Bundesfinanzministerium).

2. Check funding programmes

• Find out about the EXIST-Gründerstipendium.
• Check scholarship programmes of your university or your federal state, e.g. Gründerstipendium NRW.
• Additionally: Deutschlandstipendium.

3. Create business plan

• Develop a plan with idea, market analysis and financial plan.
• Support: IHK Businessplan-Leitfaden.
• University incubators often offer free coaching.

4. Secure expert Statement

• Get a statement from:
  • your university start-up centre,
  • the IHK or HWK.

5. Submit applications & start

• Submit your application for funding (e.g. EXIST).
• Register your trade (Gewerbeanmeldung) with the trade office.
• Use networks like the Hochschulgründernetzwerk Deutschland or the German Accelerator.