en
21. August 2024

Ideas with impact at the Social Start-up Summer School 2024 Ideas with impact at the Social Start-up Summer School 2024

At the Social Start-up Summer School 2024, aspiring entrepreneurs spent five days developing business models with a focus on social impact. What made this year’s program special was that every start-up idea had to be linked to a social cause. Participants took part in workshops covering the different phases of start-up development and presented their results in pitches to a jury of experienced start-up coaches, who provided valuable feedback. The Summer School was jointly organized by the Transfer Center enaCom at the University of Bonn and the Start-up Factory at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences.

Participants at the Social Start-up Summer School at the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
Participants at the Social Start-up Summer School at the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences © ena.Com
Download all images in original size The impression in connection with the service is free, while the image specified author is mentioned.
Please fill out this field using the example format provided in the placeholder.
The phone number will be handled in accordance with GDPR.

Creative ideas and innovative methods

"We had a total of four teams working on very different projects and innovative ideas. It was great to see the different areas from which the inspiration for the ideas came: whether from their studies, their jobs, or even their private lives," explains Marcus Wille, start-up advisor at the Transfer Center enaCom. 

For example, one participant working in local government identified the need for a digital platform to consolidate information on nutrition. A doctoral student in astronomy aimed to promote integration by teaching scientific skills. Other ideas included an app to reduce packaging waste and a network designed to improve coordination between tradespeople and their customers.

The teams further developed these ideas into business models in interactive group sessions led by experienced coaches. They conducted interviews with potential customers, learned how to structure their product ideas, and practiced presenting them in professional pitch formats.

Focus on sustainability

In addition to economic benefits, all ideas were intended to have a social impact: “Sustainability has become an increasingly relevant issue. Not only ecological but also social problems require long-term solutions. That's why the participants in this year's Social Start-up Summer School explicitly addressed problems in our society,” explains start-up scout Christoph Krieger from the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences.

Support from the Transfer Center enaCom

Even after the five-day Start-up Summer School, those interested in founding a company can receive support in implementing their ideas. Marcus Wille adds: "The team at the Transfer Center enaCom also provides long-term assistance in turning ideas into reality. To this end, we offer workshops on topics such as financing, legal aspects, and pricing. In addition, there is the option of one-to-one counseling, as well as rooms for networking and implementation."

The Start-up Schools are offered twice a year. The next Start-up Spring School will take place in spring 2025. Further information will then be available in the event calendar.

Development of concepts in small groups
Development of concepts in small groups © enaCom
Final pitch in front of the jury
Final pitch in front of the jury © enaCom
Networking at the start-up round table
Networking at the start-up round table © enaCom
Pitch by start-up consultant Marcus Wille from the Transfer Center enaCom
Pitch by start-up consultant Marcus Wille from the Transfer Center enaCom © enaCom
Pitch by start-up scout Christoph Krieger from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
Pitch by start-up scout Christoph Krieger from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences © enaCom