Founder stipends in Leipzig
6 stipends founders in Leipzig can apply for: 3 from Leipzig and Saxony, 3 nationwide and EU-wide. Each one with the amount, who qualifies and the next deadline, checked against the official source.
Check which of them fit you
Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot starts with Leipzig selected and shows which programs fit, what blocks you and what to do next.
- Concrete reasons, not a score
- Nearest deadlines first
- Next step for each program
From Leipzig and Saxony
- InnoStartBonus SaxonyEUR 1,050/month per founder + EUR 150/month per dependent child; up to 12 monthsStipend · Saxony · Next round not announced yet
- ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend SaxonyPer founder per month: EUR 1,000 (students), EUR 2,500 (graduates), EUR 3,000 (PhD); up to 12 monthsStipend · Saxony · Apply any time
- Leipzig Artistic-Cultural StipendsEUR 8,000-10,000 per multi-month stipend (2026 call; programme volume up to EUR 250,000)Stipend · Leipzig · Next round not announced yet
Nationwide and EU
- EXIST Business Start-up GrantPer person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coachingStipend · Germany · Apply any time
- DBU Green Start-upUp to €125,000 per start-up over 24 months, up to 100% (de minimis). Mainly living costs up to €2,000/month per person, plus some material/external services.Stipend · Germany · Apply any time
- Erasmus for Young EntrepreneursMonthly lump sum for travel and living costs, set by host country: EUR 600–1,200 (e.g. Netherlands 950, Spain 900, Germany 900, Denmark 1,200, USA 1,200); 1–6 months abroadStipend · EU · Apply any time
Questions founders ask
Which stipends can I get as a solo founder in Leipzig?
4 of the 6 programs accept solo founders under their official rules: InnoStartBonus Saxony, Leipzig Artistic-Cultural Stipends, EXIST Business Start-up Grant and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs. For the others, the team rule is on each program page.
Which of them do I not have to pay back?
None of the 6 has to be paid back: InnoStartBonus Saxony, ESF Plus Technology Founder Stipend Saxony, Leipzig Artistic-Cultural Stipends, EXIST Business Start-up Grant, DBU Green Start-up and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs.
When is the next deadline?
None of these programs has an announced fixed deadline right now. 4 of the 6 accept applications all year round.
Facts are checked against official sources; each program page shows the verification date and sources. Orientation, not an eligibility decision.