Two Kassel teams receive Hessen Ideas Scholarship - female funding for the first time

For the first time, Hessen Ideen is awarding grants specifically to female founders in order to increase the proportion of female start-ups and send a visible signal for equal opportunities and diversity in innovation funding. A real milestone - because the 39 percent share of women in this funding round clearly exceeds the national trend. A total of 17 innovative start-up teams from 9 universities in Hessen received a Hessen Ideas Scholarship - more than ever before. Among them are two teams from the University of Kassel: study-well social, a platform to promote mental health and successful learning during studies, and Gradu-App, an AI-supported learning app for STEM students.

Science Minister Timon Gremmels in the front row, center, with the Hessian start-up teams.

Timon Gremmels, Hessian Minister for Science and Research, Art and Culture, is the patron of the Hessen Ideen initiative. He welcomed the new round of scholarships at their kick-off event at the University of Kassel and handed over the scholarship contracts.

Minister Gremmels explained: "Diversity is not a minor matter, but the basis for real innovation. Different perspectives in start-up teams demonstrably lead to more creative solutions, greater innovative strength and often also to economically more successful companies. With the female scholarships, we are creating concrete framework conditions so that more women can help shape the economy, science and society with their ideas. We want to send a signal - to female students, researchers and innovative idea generators: We see you. We support you. And we need you. Female founders bring new perspectives to the innovation landscape - whether technical, societal or social. Our aim with the Female Scholarships is not only to promote ideas, but also to change structures. We want to make starting a business more visible, more feasible and more natural for women."

With the new female scholarships, Hessen Ideen is strengthening start-up teams that consist of at least 50 percent women - in addition to the regular scholarships awarded. In this round, five teams are benefiting from the new "Female Entrepreneurship" funding line, which not only offers financial support, but also targeted qualification formats, mentoring from experienced female founders and access to a supportive network.

The current Female Founder Monitor, a study by the Startup Association and the Bertelsmann Stiftung, confirms the need for action: the proportion of female founders in the German startup ecosystem has recently fallen to below 19 percent. There is also a gender gap in start-up interest at universities. With the expansion of the program to include the "Female Entrepreneurship" component, Hessen Ideen is targeting this issue - and with success: the proportion of women at 39% clearly exceeds the national trend. 13 of the 17 funded teams have at least one woman in the team - a strong sign of more diversity in the start-up scene.

The ideas of the funded female teams are as diverse as they are relevant: They develop solutions in areas such as mental health, physical well-being through plant-based alternatives, digital medicine, green energy, cultural participation via virtual reality and innovative education.

The Hessen Ideas Scholarship

The Hessen Ideas Scholarship offers students and graduates with a passion for entrepreneurship the opportunity to turn their innovative business ideas into reality in a six-month program. The scholarship provides support on the path from the initial idea to a viable business concept - through financial support and tailored workshops.

The scholarship consists of two elements: financial support and an accompanying accelerator program. The monetary support of up to 2,500 euros per month per scholarship holder is intended to give the start-up teams the freedom to focus on developing their idea. At the same time, the scholarship holders receive targeted support in developing their business idea with the Idea Accelerator, a comprehensive coaching and workshop program. The teams also receive intensive on-site support from the universities' start-up advisors.

All 17 ideas from Hessian universities that received a grant can be found here: Participating Ideas/Alumni Hessen Ideas.

The state of Hesse supports the Hessen Ideen initiative

Hessen Ideen is an initiative of the state of Hesse, Hessian universities and Hessian companies. The Hessen Ideen Scholarship, Hessen Ideen Competition, Hessen Ideen Crowdfunding and the Hessen Ideen University Network are designed to discover and promote entrepreneurial ideas at universities.

The initiative is coordinated by UniKasselTransfer at the University of Kassel in cooperation with HIGHEST at the Technical University of Darmstadt. The state of Hesse is supporting the Hessen Ideen initiative with 5.4 million euros until 2025 as part of the Hessian Higher Education Pact. Further information is available at: www.hessen-ideen.de.

Funded start-up teams at the University of Kassel

Gradu-App - The STEM learning app for students!

(Beatrice Frichs)

Gradu-App is an AI-supported STEM learning app that provides students with customized support in their learning process. Students can use Gradu-App to identify any deficits, make up for them individually in self-study and learn new material in a way that is appropriate for their learning style.

Teachers can provide materials and tasks for the participants in their courses and gain a deeper insight into the knowledge levels and learning progress of their students.

study-well social

(Katharina Harter)

study-well social is a platform that combines what belongs together: successful learning and mental health during studies. With study-related services such as psychosocial counseling, learning and writing workshops and specialist information, it is primarily aimed at students of social work/education. Mental health, work strategies and academic writing are methodically linked to encourage and empower students. The goal: to study healthily and successfully.