Following the EXIST-Women programme: Student Mariana continues to develop ‘Mama Queen’

Through “Mama Queen”, Mariana Seeboth aims to provide personalised support to mothers and families in Dresden, offer guidance and connect them with suitable local services. The student, who is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Social Pedagogy and Management at Dresden University of Applied Sciences, has further developed and refined her idea as part of the EXIST-Women programme. What began as an initial idea for family support has now evolved into a clear concept. “It feels very special to me that an idea which has been with me since the start of my degree is slowly becoming a reality,” says the student.

From Idea to Start-up Project with EXIST-Women

Over the past few years, the Fachhochschule Dresden (FHD) has established itself as a strong partner for entrepreneurship, innovation and start-up development in Saxony. With its practice-oriented approach, the university combines academic education with targeted support for entrepreneurial ideas. This commitment is particularly evident in its successful participation in the EXIST-Women funding programme.

Since 2024, 24 female founders have already been supported at FHD through the programme. A further 7 women are currently receiving support and developing their business ideas into viable start-up projects.

Mariana Seeboth has also used EXIST-Women to further develop her idea for “Mama Queen.” The programme focuses, among other things, on entrepreneurial qualification, the personal development of female founders and the further development of their ideas. This includes market analysis and validation, developing a viable business model and building networks. Exchanging ideas with female mentors and role models provides additional guidance within the start-up ecosystem and helps participants prepare for possible next steps towards founding a business.

‘Mama Queen’ is currently still in its start-up phase. By launching her own website, Mariana has already taken an important first step towards raising the profile of her service and reaching interested mothers in Dresden. Another milestone followed in early August: the Sächsische Zeitung reported on her story and her start-up idea. In the article, she says: “Thanks to my many years’ work in the social sector, I know a great many people in key positions. I want to use this to help other women.” Her view on equality is also clear: “For women in our society, equality has not only a political dimension, but also an economic and a very personal one.”

Mariana’s approach thrives on personal encounters, trust, recommendations and her network in Dresden. This is precisely where she also wants to connect with her clients. Her next step: getting to know families and finding out just how helpful personalised support can actually be for them. She is also receiving further support from Dresden University of Applied Sciences. Following her discussion with Dr.-Ing. Dr. Chóngliàng Zhòng, Mariana intends to decide on the specific next steps to take.

Topic for her Bachelor’s thesis

At the same time, Mariana Seeboth is already considering exploring the topic academically in her Bachelor’s thesis. In doing so, she aims to take a closer look at the potential needs of women and families in Dresden, as well as gaps in existing services.

Mariana’s journey shows how an initial idea can develop into a concrete project through professional dialogue and personalised support. This is precisely what the personalised support at the Dresden University of Applied Sciences is all about. We are proud to be able to support her on this journey and look forward to seeing how ‘Mama Queen’ continues to grow.

Find out more about “Mama Queen”

Study Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Are you interested in innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership? Then find out more about the Master’s degree programme in Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at FHD.