LAISF
Lean AI Startup Funding 2026/27
(Applications Open Soon)
The Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF) is a program designed to quickly test and validate your idea in the field of AI and turn it into a business case. An updated version of the program will be launched soon.
5-6 Months of funding
for two persons full-time or up to three persons in total
(if the funding is split accordingly)
5,000€ material expenses
for everything you need to prototype and test your idea
The chance to receive up to 30´000 EUR of additional funding!
After three months, participants must present their interim results. If their presentation is convincing, they have the chance to receive up to 30,000 EUR in additional funding.
The LAISF program
The goal of the Lean AI Startup Funding is to bring ideas from research into practice. Research-driven startup ideas are usually very tech-oriented and have little market readiness. LAISF gives you both the time and the financial freedom to validate your business model, develop your prototype and raise your investment readiness level.
How the Application works
Scholarship
The LAISF is a scholarship with conditions based on your qualification (similar to the EXIST Gründerstipendium).
Downloads
Please note that the legally binding version of the concept paper is the German version.
Application opens soon.
APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON.
You can submit an application for the LAISF if you have
- A research-driven AI business idea.
- Not incorporated your company yet.
- No other parallel funding of this project running.
Unsure if you should apply?
Application process
- To apply, interested startups should first contact the AI Startup Rising team for an initial check.
- After a brief check-in, 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.
Our LAISF-Jury:
David Schäffler
Investment Manager, neosfer
Michael Klesel
Professor of Information Systems
The Lean AI Startup Funding 2026/27 opens soon.
Required documents:
- Detailed project description that demonstrates why and how LAISF benefits you, a scope of the planned activities, value proposition of the solution, technical descriptions, IP status, potential use cases, follow-up finance perspectives and the market potential (max. 3 pages, see concept paper for details)
- Filled in project and finance plan
Submission:
Please submit your application documents as PDF via email to .
Make sure to contact the AISR-Team BEFORE applying. Submissions that haven’t been reviewed by one of our coaches will NOT be accepted!
FAQ
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?
Main focus of the Lean AI Startup Funding is to support research-driven ideas. However, 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.
For further questions please contact the AI Startup Rising project team at – we are happy to help!
Supported Projects
