garage33, Paderborn University’s start-up centre, is organising the grand final of the “Call for Ideas” competition for the twelfth time on Wednesday 15 July, in collaboration with VerbundVolksbank OWL eG. From more than 50 entries, a committee of experts has selected the eight most promising business ideas, which will be presented to a panel of expert judges at the final from 6 pm. The finalists will be competing for attractive prizes, including prize money totalling 3,000 euros, donated by VerbundVolksbank OWL. The prizes also include a wildcard for garage33’s “Incubator Programme”, which systematically prepares individuals or teams for start-ups and entrepreneurship and securing initial funding. The final will take place at the VolksbankForum of VerbundVolksbank OWL eG on Neuer Platz in Paderborn. Admission is free; free tickets are available at: www.tecup.de/events.
Eight teams present innovative business ideas
The aim of the event is to promote people with innovative business ideas from the East Westphalia-Lippe (OWL) region and to support them in further developing their projects. Those interested in starting-up and engaging in entrepreneurship were able to submit their ideas in advance in the form of a concept paper, provided that the start-up had not yet been formally established at that stage. Among other things, they had to explain the concept, the market potential and the feasibility of their idea, and could earn bonus points for demonstrating societal or social added value. From all the applications, the teams were ultimately selected to present their business ideas in the final and then answer questions from the experts. The competition is supported by the start-up centres at the partner universities/institutions: the “Campus Foundery OWL” at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences and the “Centre for Entrepreneurship” at Bielefeld University.
“For successful start-ups and entrepreneurship, in addition to financial support, what is needed above all is a strong network, professional guidance, and constructive feedback at the right time,” emphasises Prof. Dr Rüdiger Kabst, scientific director of TECUP/garage33. “It is precisely these building blocks that the ‘Call for Ideas’ brings together: Thanks to our partnership with VerbundVolksbank OWL, we are not only able to award attractive prize money, but also offer those interested in starting a business a platform where they can present their ideas, receive valuable input from experienced experts, and establish important contacts within the regional start-up and business community at an early stage. In this way, we are creating the ideal conditions for turning innovative ideas into successful start-up ventures.”
From idea to business
As host of the ‘Call for Ideas’ final and a sponsor of the competition from the very beginning, VerbundVolksbank OWL eG is also looking forward to the presentation of the start-up ideas. “Innovation arises where people have the courage to share ideas and take them further. With the ‘Call for Ideas’, we are fostering precisely this entrepreneurial spirit. It is important to us to give founders in OWL visibility at an early stage and to support them on their journey to self-employment. After all, good ideas can give rise to strong companies that shape the future of our region,” says Ansgar Käter, Chairman of the Board. As well as the pitches, visitors can look forward to a varied evening with plenty of opportunities for networking: in a relaxed atmosphere, they can strike up conversations with founders, jury members, and representatives from business, academia, and the regional network, and forge valuable new contacts.
This text was translated automatically.
