Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF)

Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF) is sponsored by hessian. AI. LAISF is a six-month scholarship for teams with an innovative, AI-driven idea.

The program supports innovative AI startup ideas – from research-driven spin-offs to market-oriented innovations with strong growth potential.

Lean AI Startup Funding | hessian. AI Lean AI Startup Funding 2026/27 1 September 2026 – 28 February 2027 LAISF is a six-month scholarship for teams with an innovative, AI-driven idea. Quickly test and validate your idea in AI and turn it into a prototype and business case — APPLY NOW!

1 September 2026 – 28 February 2027 for up to either two persons full-time or up to three persons in part-time (if the funding is split accordingly) Up to 30,000 € to win at the mid-term presentation for everything you need to prototype and test your idea splittable across up to 3 people · ≤ 200% total The LAISF is a scholarship with conditions based on your qualification (similar to the EXIST Gründerstipendium).

10 August 2026, 12:00 noon (CEST) The goal of the Lean AI Startup Funding is to turn innovative AI ideas into successful ventures. The program supports innovative AI startup ideas – from research-driven spin-offs to market-oriented innovations with strong growth potential.

While research-driven ventures are often highly technology-focused and still require market validation, LAISF gives founders the time, funding, and guidance to validate their business model, develop a prototype, and increase their investment readiness. Voluntary Workshop on the LAISF application on 8 July and 5 August live FAQ sessions on 20 July and 29 July The application must be submitted by 10 August, 12:00 .

The selected teams for the final round will be announced on 12 August . The final round will take place between 14 and 20 August , with a 3-minute pitch and 3-minute Q&A with the jury, depending on the final jury schedule. The scholarship period starts on 1 September 2026 and ends on 28 February 2027 .

You can submit an application for the LAISF if you have A a research-driven and/or innovative AI business idea Not incorporated your company yet. No other parallel funding of this project running Unsure if you should apply? Register for the Workshop on the LAISF application When you fill out the hessian.

AI application form, you will be asked to provide a detailed project description that demonstrates: your AI Core and its innovation level the value proposition of the solution technical descriptions & potential use cases your market entry strategy shows how you plan to realize the project See the online application form for details: Fill out the registrationform to apply Workshop on the LAISF application!

Do you have a research-driven and/or innovative AI business idea and want to apply for the Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF)? In this virtual preparation workshop, we’ll help you sharpen your concept and put together a compelling application. What makes an AI innovation, and how innovative is yours?

How do you describe your AI technology? How do you demonstrate value creation and market fit? How do you plan your project?

What do evaluators look for in a strong application?

Choose between two dates: Workshop — LAISF Funding-Ready Shape Your AI Startup Concept – by Philip Travers Workshop — LAISF Funding-Ready Shape Your AI Startup Concept – by Philip Travers Register for the workshop Register for the workshop Investment Manager, neosfer Professor of Information Systems Senior Manager, Accenture Technology Please fill out and submit your application here: My startup is already incorporated. Am I eligible?

+ No. This is an early-stage support and incorporation within the funding period should be avoided, too, in order to not endanger your follow-up financing through other grants. My idea does not stem from research. Can I still apply?

+ Yes, if your idea is good and you can argue why your business idea needs this kind of support, we are happy to hear from you. Please note that ideas for AI consultancy are not accepted. What is expected from me once I get the funding?

+ After three months you will have to give a presentation about the progress of your project. If you can convincingly explain how your project could benefit from additional funding over the next three months, you will have the opportunity to win up to 30,000 EUR in additional funding. A written project documentation has to be handed in 6 weeks after the funding period has ended.

Can I keep working in my regular job besides the funding? + Working besides the funding is allowed for up to 5h per week. However, it is possible to split the funding.

In that case working part-time is allowed. Are there any other limitations? + For receiving the Scholarship the funded team member needs to have a permanent residency within the Federal Republic of Germany.

What are the amounts of the monthly scholarship?

+ The amount of the scholarship is based on the graduation of the applicants with the rates corresponding to a full-time equivalent: • Students who have completed at least half of their studies: • Graduates with at least a university degree: • Founders with a doctorate: • (For dependent children of the founders, 150 euros per child per month are granted as Does my startup have to be located in Hesse?

+ Every funded team member has to be registered at a German residency address for the duration of the scholarship. A residency in Hesse is not needed. What stage does my project have to be in?

+ The LAISF is an early-stage validation fund. You can apply for the program without any proof of prior work. However, any validation work and the status of the prototype should be mentioned in the application.

The overall goal of the scholarship is to have a validated working prototype and a clear business perspective at the end of the funding. Can I apply as a solo founder, and what criteria exist for the team? + Yes, you can apply as a solo founder.

You should be able to execute the technical prototyping, validation activities and the business development of your project. What are the technical requirements and what counts as an innovative AI idea? + Any idea that incorporates state-of-the-art or novel AI/ML-frameworks as a core of the business model to solve an existing problem.

You should give details on the used algorithms, models and datasets in the application. Information about your team’s background help as well. For further questions please contact the AI Startup Rising project team at – we are happy to help!