In order to better support student start-up teams and to make Cologne one of the most successful start-up regions in Germany, four Cologne universities have joined forces in the joint project "Fit for Invest by hgnc". The Cologne Technical University, the University of Cologne, the German Sport University Cologne and the Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln (RFH) are already working together in the university start-up network cologne (hgnc). The project is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy with around four million euros over four years as part of the EXIST-Potential funding programme.
"Cologne is one of the strongest economic and most attractive locations in Germany and already has a flourishing start-up and investor scene. In addition, more than 11,000 scientists work and research in the local university landscape. There is a student creative potential of more than 100,000 students", explains Prof. Dr. Klaus Becker, Vice President for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the TH Köln. "Our goal: We want to make a significant contribution to the Cologne region establishing itself in the top three of the most attractive and successful start-up regions in Germany, alongside Berlin and Munich," Becker continued.
Developing start-up potential
The basis of an attractive start-up region are its start-ups. For this reason, the network partners will take measures to generate more, stronger-growth and more successful spin-off projects based on their research results and student creative potential.
"The University of Cologne is pleased to strengthen the international aspect of the project within the university network. The sub-project "GATEWAY goes International" focuses on the creation of a qualification and network offer that is accessible beyond the borders of the university and that makes students, graduates and scientists interested in founding a company fit for international business. To this end, the University of Cologne and its Excellence Start-up Center GATEWAY will expand the cooperation with its broad international network to include the entrepreneurship aspect," says Prof. Dr. Heinz-Peter Mansel, Vice Rector for International Affairs at the University of Cologne.
The four partners in the network are founding members and members of the executive board of the university start-up network cologne (hgnc) e.V. This supports those interested in setting up their own business with seminars and workshops on the subject of self-employment. In individual consultations, the hgnc develops the business idea with the founders, coaches them in the preparation of the business plan and discusses possible financing options for the implementation of the business model. In mid-November, the German Startup Monitor had already confirmed the University of Cologne's ranking as one of the 10 best start-up universities in Germany.
• Exzellenz Start-up Center GATEWAY (ESC Gateway)