Women in Entrepreneurship Academy 2026

Applications are open until 100 slots are filled:

Join this English-language program to advance female entrepreneurship in health and life sciences and take action together with a community of diverse women entrepreneurs. Participants will validate their ideas and gain a crash course in all things entrepreneurship to launch and fund their ventures. Over the first 8 weeks of the program, participants will refine their project concepts and explore pathways to commercialization. At the end of the program, they may submit their proposal for the opportunity to be selected as one of 10 participants invited to the sponsored one-week program in the Bay Area to present to investors and startup leaders and deepen their understanding of opportunities in the health and life sciences innovation ecosystem.

This visit catalyzes the exchange of ideas and knowledge between the participants and successful women entrepreneurs who transitioned from scientific backgrounds to lead innovative tech companies and startups and build their transatlantic network. Participants will have lifelong access to the GUILD network.

Program Objectives:

• Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among women in scientific research roles.
• Equip participants with the skills and resources to effectively commercialize their scientific ideas.
• Facilitate an exchange of ideas and knowledge between the German and US innovation ecosystems.
• Provide exposure to successful female entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Program Components:

Online Learning (8 weeks): May 12 – June 30, 2026

• Asynchronous modules featuring video content, a resource library, and exercises.
• Weekly 2-hour video sessions for interaction, speaker Q&A, and guidance. Weekly sessions are held Wednesdays 9:00-10:30 am PST / 18:00-19:30 CET
• Continuous support during the program for questions and mentoring.
• Submission process management and review at the end of the program for sponsorships for the 1-week visit
• Open for up to 100 participants

Bay Area Visit (only for ten finalists): September 7-11, 2026

• 1-week visit to Silicon Valley.
• Programming for each day incl. workshops, challenges, guest speakers, company visits and dinners, and logistical coordination.
• Networking opportunities with successful female entrepreneurs.
• Engaging with tech companies and startups led by women with scientific backgrounds.
• Time to work on challenges and network with contacts identified before the visit.
• Open for up to 10 participants.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must have an affiliation with a German university or research institution (Universität, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften – HAW or staatliche Forschungseinrichtung).
• German citizenship is not required.

Budget and Cost:

There is a non-refundable EUR 50 application fee. DWIH is covering the full tuition of the GUILD Program (a $2000 value) and we want to encourage participants to take full advantage of this opportunity. If selected for the in-person experience, participants or their universities should plan to pay for:

• Travel Expenses: Participants will be responsible for their own flight costs ($1000-$1500) and visas (if necessary).
• Ground transportation to and from the airport.
• Miscellaneous food expenses

Hotels and most meals will be fully covered by DWIH. Some supporter universities provide financial support for flight costs. Don’t let the costs discourage you from applying!

Expected Outcomes:

The anticipated outcomes of this program include a cohort of women empowered with an entrepreneurial mindset and equipped with the knowledge to navigate commercialization strategies in Germany. Participants will establish a network, having cultivated connections with successful entrepreneurs and gaining exposure to cutting-edge innovations in Silicon Valley.

The goal is for participants to have a much better understanding of their career opportunities as a founder and what resources to secure to build new businesses to realize the potential of their innovation and create female-led businesses with the capacity to employ talent and add positively to the GDP.