Start-up Bootcamp – Level 1
Start-up Bootcamp – Level 1
The bootcamp provides structured support as you prepare your funding application or set up your start-up – from the initial refinement of your idea right through to the final concept paper. In a series of sessions that build on one another, you’ll work alongside experienced coaches and your fellow cohort members to develop all the key components: from problem-solution fit and market and competitive analysis right through to business model, financial planning and legal foundations.
It all kicks off with an introductory meeting where you’ll get to know each other and network with the team – after which the ‘workshop phase’ begins, featuring specific workshops and personalised support.
Would you like to take part? Great, we look forward to receiving your application! Participation in the bootcamp is subject to a selection procedure – we work with a select group of teams per cohort to offer everyone intensive and personalised support.
The process is straightforward: following a brief preliminary discussion with one of our advisers, you’ll fill in an application form describing your team, your idea and the current status of your project.
When conducting the selection, we look primarily at:
Team – Do you have the key skills on board, and can you commit enough time to preparing your start-up?
Innovation – What makes your idea special – and how does it differ from what already exists?
Customer value & market – Do you know whose problem you’re solving, and have you already gathered initial feedback from the market?
Stage of development – Has your idea matured to the point where you can produce a full concept paper during the bootcamp?
In addition, a few formal requirements must be met (e.g. no limited company may yet exist for the idea) – but we’ll discuss these in a relaxed, face-to-face conversation with you.
Curious to find out more? Simply get in touch via the contact form to arrange a preliminary discussion. Already had a chat? Then click here to go straight to the application form.
Startup Bootcamp #1 Schedule
Date | Topic | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 September 2026, 4.00–6.00 pm | Kick-off and getting to know each other | Kick-off for the bootcamp: We’ll get to know each other, you’ll meet your cohort and the support team, and we’ll give an overview of the upcoming sessions. |
| 2 | 23 September 2026, 9.30 am–1.00 pm | Ideation: Problem – solution matching | Together, we’ll refine your customer’s problem and assess how effectively your solution actually addresses it – the basis for a compelling concept paper. |
| 3 | 7 October 2026, | How to write a proposal – rights and obligations | You’ll learn how to structure a compelling concept paper and what legal and formal obligations are involved in working with us, submitting a proposal and receiving funding. |
| 4 | 21 October 2026, | Competition and Market Analysis | You will learn how to systematically analyse your target market, your target groups and relevant competitors, and how to use this analysis to identify your unique selling points and estimate the potential size of your target market. |
| 5 | 4 November 2026, | Business Model Development | Together, we’ll further develop your business model – from pricing strategy and sales right through to a clear value proposition for your customers. |
| 6 | 18 November 2026, | Prototypingworkshop with a campus tour | During a tour of the campus, you’ll get to know the workshops and resources on offer and present your prototypes to one another. |
| 7 | 2 December 2026, | Financial and Work Planning | You’ll draw up a realistic financial plan and a detailed work plan for the duration of the funding period – key components of your concept paper. |
| 8 | Online, flexible | Basics: Tax and Law (click-through module) | A compact self-study module that teaches you the tax and legal basics relevant to your proposal – at your own pace. |
| 9 | As required, online | Partners and LOIs | We’ll clarify whether there are any cooperation partners or letters of intent (LOIs) of Intent) are relevant to your project and how you can obtain them. |
| 10 | As required | IP & Technology Transfer | Where necessary, we will clarify which intellectual property and IP issues are relevant to your specific project. |