SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig
SMILE - Gründungsinitiative der Universität Leipzig
Free start-up coaching, training and funding-application support (EXIST, Technologiegründungsstipendium etc.); no cash itself. Provided by Universität Leipzig (SMILE / SEPT Competence Center).
Key facts
- Amount
- Free start-up coaching, training and funding-application support (EXIST, Technologiegründungsstipendium etc.); no cash itself
- Duration
- ongoing
- Type
- Coaching
- Who receives it
- Founder or team
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Idea, Prototype, Pre-revenue
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- No
- Company required
- No
- University link required
- Yes
- Application languages
- DE, EN
- Location
- Leipzig academic institutions (students, graduates, researchers)
Who can apply
- Students, graduates and researchers of Leipzig academic institutions
- Focus on research-based, knowledge-intensive ventures; also creative, sustainability and social ideas
- Incubation space in Halle 7 (Baumwollspinnerei) since Oct 2026 for funded Uni Leipzig teams
What usually blocks applicants
- No university affiliation (use SpinLab, Social Impact Lab instead)
Deadline and timing
Ongoing; contact any time. Events and workshops listed on the SMILE site.
Frequently asked
How much does SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig pay?
Free start-up coaching, training and funding-application support (EXIST, Technologiegründungsstipendium etc.); no cash itself
Who can apply for SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig?
Students, graduates and researchers of Leipzig academic institutions Focus on research-based, knowledge-intensive ventures; also creative, sustainability and social ideas Incubation space in Halle 7 (Baumwollspinnerei) since Oct 2026 for funded Uni Leipzig teams
When is the SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig deadline?
Ongoing; contact any time. Events and workshops listed on the SMILE site.
Where do I apply for SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig?
On the official page: https://smile.uni-leipzig.de. Applications are accepted in DE, EN.
Do I have to pay back SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for SMILE Startup Initiative Leipzig?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 8 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Leipzig
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- Social Impact Lab Leipzig - Founding SupportFree mentoring, coaching and workshops (online and offline); coworking for early-stage founders; no cash
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- Leipzig Artistic-Cultural StipendsEUR 8,000-10,000 per multi-month stipend (2026 call; programme volume up to EUR 250,000)