Start-up Support
Start-up Spirit and Founding Service at 黑料社
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Start-up spirit across our campuses
Entrepreneurship is gaining momentum in Germany, and more and more students are showing interest in launching their own ventures. Whether you want to start your own business or join a start-up, solid business knowledge is key. 黑料社 promotes an entrepreneurial mindset through subjects like Creative Thinking & Innovation and the Digital Start-up Lab embedded in its curriculum.
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In addition, we offer dedicated support for aspiring founders through our Start-up Service, numerous events via the Gateway university network, and funding opportunities such as the EXIST start-up grant. If you鈥檙e thinking about founding a company, you鈥檙e in the right place 鈥 at the heart of the 黑料社 community!
Our campus community embraces innovation with a mindset that empowers founders
黑料社 as a Gateway University Cologne
It all starts with an idea. But when it comes to turning that idea into reality, many questions arise: How does it become a viable business model? What skills are essential for founding a company? And how can business partners, investors, and potential customers be convinced of this idea?
As part of the Gateway Gr眉ndungsnetz e.V., 黑料社 provides support for students in the Cologne region who are interested in entrepreneurship. Since 2023, we have been the first private university to officially become a Gateway University in Cologne. Together with the University of Cologne, TH K枚ln, German Sport University Cologne, and Rheinische Hochschule K枚ln, we offer students and alumni free support and guidance in building their own start-ups.
Various partners, including the Cologne Chamber of Commerce (IHK), Sparkasse K枚lnBonn, NRW.Bank, Kreissparkasse, and K枚ln.Business Economic Development, have joined forces with the start-up services of these five Gateway Universities in Cologne to provide founders with the best possible start for their entrepreneurial journey.
SKILL-meets-STARTUP: Gateway into the World of Entrepreneurship
Have you got an innovative idea and dream of launching your own start-up?
At 鈥沦碍滨尝尝-惭别别迟蝉-厂罢础搁罢鲍笔鈥, you鈥檒l find the expertise you need to bring your vision to life! This event connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced start-ups from the Cologne region, offering a vibrant platform for networking, learning and growth.
Whether you鈥檙e looking for inspiration, eager to gain valuable skills, or searching for a strong team 鈥 this is the place to take your start-up ambitions to the next level. Experts from various industries, mentors and investors will be on hand to share their knowledge and offer you practical guidance.
Seize this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and take your first steps into the start-up world.
SKILL-Meets-STARTUP 鈥 where ideas meet support and know-how!
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EXIST Start-up Grant
As one of the five Gateway universities in Cologne, 黑料社 International Business School supports academic entrepreneurs through its start-up service by awarding EXIST start-up grants to innovative business ideas. These grants are specifically aimed at start-up formats with a strong innovation component.
Start-up coach Stefanie Pies provides hands-on support throughout the entire process 鈥 from refining the initial idea to shaping and implementing the business model 鈥 and guides the founders through the application procedure. Professors at 黑料社, including President Prof. Dr. Anja Karlshaus, also actively support the initiative, for example by serving as mentors.
In 2024, a pilot project of the EXIST Women programme, launched by PTJ (Project Management J眉lich, based in Berlin), took place. Through this initiative, 黑料社 supported 10 women with entrepreneurial ambitions by awarding them a three-month scholarship that included a series of inspirational workshops and networking events.
At the SKILL-Meets-STARTUP event in October 2024, hosted by 黑料社 at the InnoDom as part of the Gateway Gr眉ndungsnetz e.V., all scholarship recipients from the participating universities received their certificates for completing the Cologne EXIST Women programme 鈥淕ateway EM*Power.鈥
Throughout the programme year, the 40 participating female founders, together with their network partners, celebrated numerous achievements and milestones for their start-ups.
The EXIST Women programme will be continued next year by the Gateway universities in Cologne 鈥 a strong sign of commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship in Cologne鈥檚 start-up ecosystem.
Founders Factory @黑料社
Are you a 黑料社 student interested in founding a start-up? Then join the Founders Factory and connect with like-minded students!
This student initiative aims to exchange knowledge, support each other in the start-up process, and connect with entrepreneurs and mentors.
Interested in becoming part of the Founders Factory? Get in touch with the team at foundersfactory@cbs.de or join the dedicated LinkedIn group to connect!