EXIST Transfer of Research I programme
Lützowstrasse 109, Berlin, 10785, Germany
Overview
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
- 2
- Lead investments
- 1
- Investments · 12mo
- 2
- Active investors
- 2
Sector focus
- Business Information Systems
Investment portfolio
- QuantiLight
Participated · Seed · Jul 2026
QuantiLight is a spin-off from the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research developing diagnostics that aim to bring testing into patients' homes. The company is based in Heidelberg and marked its first anniversary at the time of the announced Pre-Seed round. It participated in the Life Science Accelerator Baden-Württemberg and successfully applied to the Start-up BW Pre-Seed Program with guidance from Angelika Habecker. Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH supported the team with infrastructure, network and mentorship. The startup secured €1.1M in Pre-Seed funding composed of public grants and program-backed support to advance its work on home diagnostics and patient care.
- Minerva Carbon
Led · Equity · Aug 2025
Minerva Carbon develops mesoporous high-performance carbon materials intended for advanced battery and fuel cell applications. The company says it has a faster, more efficient, scalable synthesis process developed during founder Abdu Bilican's doctoral research at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. Initial tests reportedly show the materials significantly improve fast-charging performance in batteries and enhance the long-term stability of PEM fuel cells. A pilot plant is under construction at the Max Planck Institute to support scale-up and commercialisation. Minerva secured €1.8 million in funding through the EXIST Transfer of Research programme to commercialise its materials. The founding team — including Bilican and co-founder Jonas Gram (formerly of the Fraunhofer Institute) — brings expertise in strategy, automation, finance and lab-scale quality control and aims to strengthen Germany's role in battery and fuel cell innovation and contribute to a European battery value chain.