Start-up Transfer.NRW
Funding for the market-oriented further development of innovative start-up projects from universities and research institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Grant of up to 90% of eligible expenses (max. €270,000), duration up to 24 months. Submission deadlines are January 31 and July 31 each year (final deadline July 31, 2026).
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The funding program supports universities and non-university research institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia in bringing innovative products, services, and processes to market maturity, further developing business plans, and accompanying founders up to company establishment.
Eligible expenses
- Expenditures for research and development
- Creation and further development of the business plan
- Project-accompanying coaching (5–10 person-days)
- Workplace and infrastructure costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Notary fees and shareholder contributions
- ongoing operating costs of the start-up
- acquisition of real estate
Eligible to apply
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Registered office or establishment in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Eligible applicants are research and educational institutions
- Project must be thematically, temporally, and financially delineable and not yet started
- Proof of necessary financial resources and proper management
- No company may have been founded prior to the start of the establishment
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Documents required for application
- Business plan
- Financing plan
- Letter of Intent from the coach
- Proof of financial resources and management
- Proof of registered office/branch in NRW
Evaluation criteria
- Conceptual approach, quality and plausibility of the implementation strategy
- Appropriateness of resource allocation, model character and transferability
- Contribution to gender equality and sustainability
- Contribution to innovation fields of RIS NRW
- Innovation and economic potential
- Business model and economic implementation
- Potential of the founding team
Description
Start-up Transfer.NRW supports the market-oriented further development of scientifically based start-up projects from universities and research institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia. The goal is to accompany graduates and researchers on the path from the proof-of-concept phase to company formation. As a grant, up to 90% of eligible expenses (maximum €270,000) are financed over a project duration of up to 24 months. The funding covers expenses for research and development, the creation and further development of the business plan, project-accompanying coaching (5–10 person-days), as well as workplace and infrastructure costs. Submission deadlines are January 31 and July 31 of each year (last deadline: 31.07.2026), providing regular opportunities to apply.
Eligible to participate are research and educational institutions based or established in NRW that employ and support founders during the project period. Requirements include a completed academic degree of the founders, a clearly defined, not yet started project, as well as proof of financial resources and proper business management. Applicants submit a convincing business plan, a letter of intent from an industry-experienced coach, and a supervision plan by mentors. In a transparent scoring process, an independent expert panel evaluates the concept, implementation strategy, economic potential, transferability, contribution to equality and sustainability, as well as the potential of the team. Start-up Transfer.NRW thus strengthens innovation capacity and the regional start-up ecosystem in North Rhine-Westphalia.