Over the course of five days, participants worked intensively on ideas—either those they had brought with them or new ones developed during the program. They created financial plans, analyzed potential competitors, and even held initial conversations with potential customers in downtown Bonn. This was a crucial element, as start-up coach Dr. Alexander Küsshauer from enaCom emphasized:
“The key to success lies in direct customer contact: We help founders define their target group and immediately engage in discussions to validate real problems. Fast feedback, iteration, and practical methods are the focus—because only those who truly understand their customers can build a successful company.”
Insight into the start-up world
A highlight of the week was the mid-week networking event, which offered participants direct insight into the regional start-up scene. Guest speaker Nils Stausberg, co-founder of the Bonn-based start-up Kiresult, shared his journey from university student to successful entrepreneur. His company has developed a platform for data analysis and cost optimization for small and medium-sized enterprises. After his talk, there was plenty of time for questions, discussions, and networking.
From idea to pitch
The week concluded with final pitches, where participants presented their business ideas to the plenary and received constructive feedback. Thanks to a crash course in presentation skills and body language, they were well prepared. The pitches demonstrated impressive creativity and innovative power: from new approaches to burnout prevention and soil pollution measurement to board and role-playing games, as well as a tool for data usage and improved sustainability reporting.
One participant summarized the experience:
“In these five days, I developed a whole new mindset and learned a lot that I didn't learn in my studies. For example, the motto ‘fail fast,’ which can be applied not only to starting a business, but also to studying, project work, and research.”
Regular Start-up Schools at the University of Bonn
The Start-up School is offered twice a year by the Transfer Center enaCom and the Start-up Manufaktur at H-BRS. The next Start-up School will take place in summer 2025.
