From idea to business case
The participants worked in five teams to develop innovative ideas in the fields of mobility, digital tools, fashion, intercultural support, and continuing education. Start-up consultants Dr. Alexander Küsshauer and Dr. Elina Hafer guided them step by step through the start-up process. In addition to working on their projects, participants gained practical insights into key start-up topics: project management methods for better time planning and prioritization, customer analysis and interviews, cold calling, developing a business case, considering alternative revenue streams, and techniques for market analysis and pitch training.
Lots of practical inspiration
The program included many opportunities to get in touch with experienced founders. For example, two start-up teams from the University of Bonn, “huntin” and “einfach recht,” presented their business models and showed how founders can present their ideas convincingly with their professional pitches. Another highlight was the interview with Jakob Vanhoefer, founder of “LightningPose” and himself a participant in the 2021 Summer School. At the mid-term celebration, he spoke openly about the ups and downs of everyday life as a founder and about the differences between working at a university, in a start-up, and in industry. The event also gave participants the opportunity to exchange ideas with other founders and people interested in founding a company from the region.
Winning team wants to introduce electronic rickshaws
At the grand finale on the last day, the five teams presented their business ideas in a pitch to the jury. The most convincing idea was an innovative lease-to-own concept for e-rickshaws in Cuba. “Even though the competition was very strong and the jury had a difficult decision to make, this team completely won us over with its clearly structured business case and rousing pitch,” summarized Sandra Speer, Head of the Transfer Center enaCom. As a prize, they received tickets to the Startup Open Air 2025, which will take place on August 27 in Bonn.
Regular start-up schools in Bonn
The start-up schools are offered twice a year by the University of Bonn and the University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg . Anyone interested in diving into the world of entrepreneurship will have the opportunity to develop their idea into a business model with professional support over five days at the next start-up school in spring 2026.
