KickStart of the Start-Up Centre - Challenge your idea!
You can find out how the KickStart works in the FAQs...
To apply, submit your idea sketches by the application deadline (19.10.25 - 23:59) by e-mail to gruendungszentrum@hnee.de at the start-up centre.
In mid-November, all eligible applicants will be officially welcomed to KickStart 2026 with their ideas.
In the following weeks, workshops will be held exclusively for participants to develop their ideas. Together with experts from various fields of practice, we will support you in creating a professional pitch deck.
Support from the start-up centre is planned until 15.04.2026.
Important: The KickStart programme is an intensive start-up challenge with exclusive events and consulting services for participants. In return, we expect the willingness to participate regularly in the events. This will also be included in the final evaluation, which will determine the winning teams at the end of the programme. At least one person per team must be present at the events.
We can already announce the following dates for better planning:
05.11. - 14:00 - 17:00 KickOff of the KickStart
17.11. or 18.11. - 14:00 - 18:00 (free choice): Lego Serious Play
25.11. - 14:00 - 18:00: Pitch Training
09.12. - 15:00 - 17:00: Writing a business plan part 1 (online)
10.12. - 15:00 - 18:00: Business plan writing part 2 (presence)
The idea sketch should not exceed 1 to 3 pages (A4). The sketch conveys the "first impression" and should arouse the reader's interest. It should contain initial information about
the product or service
the unique selling proposition
the customer benefits
the target group
the competences of the individual/team members and their areas of responsibility
This also includes a concise statement on the topic of "sustainability" (one or two sentences per question):
Which social or environmental sustainability challenges (education, health, climate protection, resource efficiency, etc.) do your products or services contribute to and how?
What sustainability goals are you aiming for with your start-up idea?
How would you use the prize money in a meaningful way so that your start-up idea benefits from it?
By presenting your start-up idea clearly and coherently, you are also demonstrating your expertise. Have you really filtered out the essentials of your business idea and formulated them concisely and precisely?
- Exclusive access to workshops and expert knowledge
- Expand your own methodical expertise
- Become part of the KickStart community
- Exchange with other start-up ideas from the KickStart community
- Visibility with potential stakeholders
- Participation in the public online voting
- 360° feedback from the region
- Expert feedback from the KickStart jury
- Individual counselling and coaching
- Exclusive access to the HNEE StartupLab
- Students, alumni or employees of the HNEE
- Individuals or teams
- Applicants must not have previously been self-employed
Product & service description
- What is your product/service (software, device, service)?
- What competing products/services are there?
- What unique selling proposition sets your offer apart from the competition?
- What is sustainable about your product/service and/or its development?
Customer benefits & target groups
- What problem or need do your future customers have?
- What particular benefit does your offer have from the customer's perspective?
- Which potential customers can you address with your product or service?
- How do your potential customers feel about sustainability (willingness to pay, status awareness, etc.)?
Founding team
- What characterises the founder or the individual members of the team? (training, practical experience, previous knowledge, successes, professional qualifications, entrepreneurial experience)
- What commercial, professional, technical and personal skills and experience are relevant to the success of the company?
The KickStart is an exclusive challenge of the Start-Up Centre for start-up ideas at HNEE. Participation, including all services and offers, is free of charge!
Participation does not result in any obligation to found a company. There is no entitlement to any rewards in kind that may be offered.
Every idea is welcome at KickStart, regardless of the sector in which the business idea is based and whether it is a start-up or a business succession.
Requirements for participation:
- Participants are students, alumni or employees of HNEE
- The idea has not yet been founded in the form of a company
- Participants are not yet self-employed
- The idea sketch was created by the submitting persons or teams themselves
- The idea outline was submitted on time by the respective submission deadline and any additional deadlines granted
- The business is planned to be located in Germany, ideally in Brandenburg
Start-up ideas that also submit a pitch deck in the further course of Kickstart agree that this will be published online for evaluation in order to obtain 360° feedback.
In the event of a company takeover or succession, participation is also possible under the above-mentioned conditions.
If an idea has already participated in one of HNEE's previous KickStart Challenges, this idea unfortunately cannot participate in KickStart 2025. Unless it is a business expansion or the product or service has changed significantly.
The team of the Start-Up Centre reserves the right to refuse participation in KickStart in justified individual cases.
Do you still have questions about the KickStart Challenge?
Then write us an e-mail or book an appointment. You can find us near the Stadtcampus and on the Waldcampus.
Public funding bodies
