EXIST
VC Fund
Berlin, Germany
EXIST is a support programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). This programme aims at improving the entrepreneurial environment at universities and research institutes. It also aims at increasing the number and success of technology and knowledge based business start-ups. The BMWi supports university graduates,scientists as well as students to this end in preparing their technology and knowledge based start-ups. EXIST also promotes a lively and lasting entrepreneurial culture at public and private universities.The EXIST programme comprises three schemes: EXIST Culture of Entrepreneurship supports universities in formulating and implementing a comprehensive and sustained university-wide strategy for increasing entrepreneurial culture and spirit.EXIST Business Start-up Grant supports students, graduates and scientists in preparing innovative technology and knowledge based start-up projects.EXIST Transfer of Research funds both the resource development necessary to prove the technical feasibility of start-up ideas based on research and the preparation necessary to launch a business.
- Total investments:
- 67
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 30%
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries EXIST invests in
Stages EXIST invests in
Countries EXIST invests in
Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Investment Focus
Industry
- Artificial Intelligence 19 (28%)
- Software 13 (19%)
- Machine Learning 8 (12%)
- Information Technology 7 (10%)
- Health Care 6 (9%)
Stage
- Grant 28 (42%)
- Pre-Seed 24 (36%)
- Seed 7 (10%)
- Non-equity Assistance 4 (6%)
- Funding Round 2 (3%)
Country
- Germany 55 (82%)
- France 1 (1%)
- United Kingdom 1 (1%)
Team
| Name | Title | Investments | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sophia Scherer
Entrepreneurial mentor for EXIST-Woman
|
Entrepreneurial mentor for EXIST-Woman | Total investments: 0 | Find email | |
Willi Mannheims
Member of the Jury EXIST to lift Potentials
|
Member of the Jury EXIST to lift Potentials | Total investments: 6 | Find email |
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tentris is a deep tech startup and university spinout developing high performance graph database software. Their core product, Tentris DB, utilizes a proprietary compressed data structure called a hypertrie. | $1.1M / Grant / Jul 07, 2026 | ||
| Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD) is a deep-tech spin-off from the University of Stuttgart developing a novel germanium-based single-photon detection platform. GeQD’s technology overcomes a key limitation in photon detection by combining: 1) High sensitivity in the 600–1550 nm (VIS–SWIR) range 2) Room-temperature operation 3) Compatibility withstandard CMOS semiconductor manufacturing This enables compact, scalable, and cost-efficient photon detectors, outperforming silicon-based solutions in SWIR while reducing costs by up to 10-50x compared to InGaAs and superconducting technologies. GeQD develops and produced sensors for Quantum technology research (detector modules), followed by LiDAR systems (automotive & robotics) as well as imaging and sensing applications, for instance, in the medical sector. Thus, GeQD delivers precision on the Quantum Edge. | $1.3M / Pre-Seed / Mar 10, 2026 | ||
| Aron Surgical develops AI tools and platforms for surgical procedures. | $209.6K / Grant / Oct 20, 2025 | ||
| Minerva Carbon is pioneering next-generation carbon materials designed to significantly enhance the performance of batteries and fuel cells. Our innovative, scalable materials directly address key industry challenges by improving energy density, power output, durability, and electrochemical stability.As a spin-off from the Max-Planck-Institut fürKohlenforschung, Minerva Carbon combines leading research with industrial scalability. Our project is supported by the EXIST-Forschungstransfer initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). | $2.1M / Grant / Jun 20, 2025 | ||
| AI-Driven SaaS for CSRD and ESG Reporting | $186.5K / Grant / Feb 01, 2025 | ||
| Gemesys creates a chip that functions similarly to the human brain in order to overcome processing constraints and empower AI with the hardware it needs to complete its destiny | $9.1M / Pre-Seed / Nov 19, 2024 | ||
| Aron Surgical develops AI tools and platforms for surgical procedures. | $130.4K / Grant / Nov 01, 2024 | ||
| Nero provides highly controllable, performance-optimized, and durable carbon support materials for hydrogen fuel cell applications and electrolyzer. Our porous carbon materials add value at every stage of the hydrogen supply chain by significantly cutting platinum content, enhancing catalyst durability, and improving material processibility. Withour unique material platform, we will reach beyond the hydrogen sector into other fields of application such as battery technology, filtration, direct air capture, and more. Nero is a spin-off from the Inorganic Functional Materials and Nanomaterials Lab at the University of Freiburg and funded by the EXIST transfer of research program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. | $1.2M / Grant / Jun 01, 2024 | ||
| AI-Driven SaaS for CSRD and ESG Reporting | $158.4K / Grant / Apr 01, 2024 | ||
| COBY – The Coping Buddy is a screen-free, privacy-first AI companion designed to help children (ages 4–12) build emotional resilience and master daily routines. The plush chameleon uses child-tailored voice AI, playful missions, adaptive storytelling, and expert-informed coping models to support kids with stress, ADHD, two-home transitions, orchronic conditions.Built in Munich, COBY combines play, psychology, and safe AI to turn chaotic moments—especially bedtime, homework, and everyday struggles—into calm, predictable, and joyful routines.The system includes a soft interactive buddy (plush + embedded voice AI) and a parent app controlling routines, permissions, data, and emotional insights. COBY runs on a secure architecture (on-device capable, GDPR/DSA aligned) and uses clinician-reviewed content.COBY operates in the fast-growing intersection of Edutainment, Child Wellbeing and Voice AI. Germany is the launch market (DACH-first), addressing 5M+ families with high daily stress. The company holds patents filed in Germany for its interactive AI-plush technology, multimodal sensing, and adaptive light-based communication system.Early traction includes 14K+ TikTok followers (4.9M views), 60+ preorders, 30+ user tests, 10+ co-creation sessions with pediatric clinics, and €170K secured in non-dilutive funding (EXIST, awards).COBY is building a new category in “Emotional AI for Children” — offering the first clinically-informed, fully screen-free AI companion that parents trust, kids love, and experts recommend. | $184.4K / Grant / Mar 01, 2024 | ||
| See all 67 investments → | |||
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FAQ
What does EXIST invest in?
EXIST invests primarily in Artificial Intelligence, Software and Machine Learning startups, most often at Grant and Pre-Seed stage. Most of the 67 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in Germany. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
How do I contact EXIST?
Public channels for EXIST include LinkedIn, the website linked on this profile and Facebook. For a verified work email and phone number, create a free Shizune account — contact data is searched across 20+ sources and validated before delivery, so your outreach lands in the right inbox.
Who are the partners at EXIST?
The team at EXIST includes Sophia Scherer (Entrepreneurial mentor for EXIST-Woman) and Willi Mannheims (Member of the Jury EXIST to lift Potentials). The Team section lists each member with their title, investment count and links.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Oct 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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