
A 90-minute live walkthrough of a real submitted EXIST-Forschungstransfer application—designed for research founders to understand reviewer logic.

Many EXIST-Forschungstransfer applications don’t fail because of weak technology or poor research. They fail because of how the idea is written, framed, and justified. Reviewers do not read applications like scientific papers. They evaluate risk, plausibility, and transfer logic.
Common issues:
The application is scientifically sound, but weak as a transfer project
The value for market, industry, or society remains vague
Individual sections are good, but the overall logic is inconsistent
Assumptions are stated, but not framed as a clear, fundable bet
Team, environment, and implementation lack convincing justification
This is exactly what the webinar addresses.
For more than 10 years, I’ve been working at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and funding as a startup consultant at TU Darmstadt and University of Heidelberg.
I help scientists structure and communicate their ideas so that decision-makers — juries, reviewers, funding bodies — understand and take them seriously.
> 15 granted EXIST-Forschungstransfer
> 26 granted EXIST-Gründerstipendien
> 16,2 Million EURO acquired
Specialized in science-to-business & funding logic
Creator of the APP Framework (Analyze · Produce · Perform)
Experience from numerous trainings, pitches, and proposal reviews
Deep understanding of EXIST evaluation criteria and reviewer perspective
This webinar is not a general overview.
It is a practical walkthrough from a reviewer’s point of view.


In this live session, we walk step by step through a real, anonymized EXIST Research Transfer application and analyze how reviewers assess each core chapter — and what strong applications do between the lines.
The focus is not only what to write, but also how to move forward strategically after each section.
How the executive summary is read and how reviewers quickly judge whether an application is worth funding.
How roles, competencies, and gaps are evaluated beyond CVs and academic titles.
What reviewers really look for in development history, novelty, IP strategy, and the R&D plan
How market logic, customer benefits, competition, and sustainability strengthen—or weaken—the funding case.
How Letters of Intent can meaningfully support your application and when they actually help from a reviewer’s perspective.
How to identify what is still missing, what is already good enough, and where to focus next to improve your chances.
Walkthrough of the example application + explanation of reviewer logic
You can ask questions — I answer them using general criteria and examples
You leave with a clear framework for writing and revising your own application
I run this masterclass no more than three times per year, live.

🟡 Waitlist open — next date in planning
Regular price: €249
Waitlist early-bird: €149
Bootstrap Insider Growth Reader: €free
Waitlist members and Bootstrap Insider Growth reader receive early access to the booking link once the date is confirmed.
understand how reviewers think,
avoid common structural and logical mistakes,
and write your application more clearly and convincingly.
The final decision always lies with the reviewers.