HERizon - Empowering Women for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2026
A program for prospective female founders from all research institutions at Georg August University of Göttingen. We are currently under evaluation for "EXIST Women" by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
What does HERizon offer?
HERizon offers for up to 10 prospective female founders professional support and a wide range of events to develop their start-up ideas and qualifications in a tailored manner. Over the 10-month program period (starting March 1st, 2026), participants have access to the following activities and services:
- Individual consultation with a start-up advisor (mandatory)
- Mentor match: Individual support from an experienced female entrepreneur
- Workshops on entrepreneurial skills and soft skills (4 workshops, 2 of which are elective)
- Numerous networking events (4 of which are elective)
- Access to the StartupKit learning platform, 60 modules on topics relevant to start-ups
- Special workshops for female Postdocs and international scientists
Financial support (subject to funding approval):
Project funding of up to 2000€ for each of the ten participantsScholarship
Option for a three-month scholarship for up to five participants, if you work no more than 20 hours per week:- 2.000€/month for those who have completed vocational training
- 2.500 €/month for university graduates
- 3.000€/month for Postdocs
Bonus
Program participants will have the opportunity to take part in three additional online workshops on the topics “Business Model Canvas" (German and English) “Revenue Model and Business Model” (English) and “Competition and Market Environment” (English) before the official program starts.How to apply?
Step 1: Describe your motivation for participating in the program and your potential start-up idea on one DIN-A4 page. Feel free to use a text form and/or graphics.Step 2: Send your one-pager from step 1 together with your resume (max. 1 page) as a PDF document by email to gruendung@uni-goettingen.de until January 15th, 2026
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria and 10 participants will be selected:
- Clear and understandable presentation of the motivation and start-up idea
- Technical expertise
- Creativity
- Innovation, feasibility, and sustainability of the start-up idea
Who should apply?
All women who can imagine starting a business in the future or already have a business idea and belong to one of the following groups:- Scientists, employed or formerly employed at the University of Göttingen
- Students of the University of Göttingen, who have completed at least 50% of their studies
- Co-founders of a startup with alumni of the University of Göttingen
- Women with completed professional training with connection to the University of Göttingen
Who is not eligible:
- Men will not be able to participate.
- Women who are already doing business with their start-up idea and/or have established a business.
- Women without a connection to the University of Göttingen.
What dates are important?
- 15th January 2026 - Application deadline
- 2nd March 2026 – Kick-off with all participants at the Historic Observatory in Göttingen
Your contact person for EXIST Women
