The new project to promote start-ups at the University of Oldenburg, "Gründung findet Stadt", is intended to stimulate innovative thinking and action in a non-university environment. A "showcase for start-up activities" and the establishment of a "market research laboratory" for sustainability and energy projects will enrich the city centre's portfolio of uses and contribute to strengthening the economic, social and sustainable development of the entire region.

To this end, we are expanding our existing infrastructure consisting of the GIZ and Innovation Campus on the Haarentor campus to include another contact point in Oldenburg city centre, thus creating an innovation corner.

In the new year, we will move into The Smart House Oldenburg and, in addition to the project office for our start-up and innovation advisory services, we will also create workplaces for founders and a market research laboratory as a start-up showcase. Here, our innovation and start-up activities, particularly in the areas of sustainability and energy, will be made visible and accessible to the expert and non-specialist public. The aim is to receive early and low-threshold feedback on innovation and start-up projects in order to meet individual needs and incorporate this into further development. By activating and involving society at an early stage, we enable needs-based innovations that lead to more company foundations and start-ups in the region.

The expansion of the infrastructure is complemented by systematic innovation scouting within the university. By raising awareness of innovation and start-ups in research and teaching, we aim to stimulate the use of the infrastructure and increase innovation and start-up activity among students and academics. In addition, there will be various communication measures to reach and mobilise the general public as well as potential users and testers.

In addition to six project team members, we are also supported by various regional partners: the City of Oldenburg, The Smart House Oldenburg gGmbH, Jade University of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth, EWE AG and the Oldenburg energy cluster OLEC e.V..

This project is funded by the European Social Fund Plus / European Regional Development Fund.