The Founding and Innovation Center of the University of Oldenburg (GIZ) is a central contact point for employees from universities all over north-western Germany, who are interested in starting their own business. It offers professional advice, coaching and further qualification opportunities to help them on their way toward their own start-up. The Founding and Innovation Center strengthens the University of Oldenburg's commitment to develop a culture of entrepreneurial independence that is firmly anchored within the university's organization. The aim is to become a business start-up center for students and scientists throughout Europe and to further assist the economic structural changes in northern Germany.

In 2011, the University of Oldenburg participated in the “EXIST-Gründungskultur - Die Gründerhochschule” competition, which is organized by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). As a result, the University of Oldenburg was honored as one of the three best universities for business start-ups in Germany. This success allows the University of Oldenburg not only to further develop its previous work in supporting and promoting start-ups, but also to exude a vibrant culture of creativity and entrepreneurial independence throughout the university and surrounding region.