Counselling and Coaching
Do you want more information about founding your startup?
Then take a look at our knowledge library for founders:
"The advice from the GIZ got the ball rolling for us. Without the impetus to apply to the GründerCampus, we certainly wouldn't have made the attempt - and without the expert advice, we probably wouldn't have won. This has confirmed that we are on the right track."
vekoop
Counselling and Coaching
Students, staff, and alumni who are interested in starting their own business or already have a concrete idea are in the right place at the GIZ.
The GIZ provides advice, coaching, and training for aspiring founders at every stage — from the initial idea and pre-startup phase through market entry and growth. Entrepreneurs also receive dedicated support with funding applications, including programs such as the EXIST Startup Grant and the EXIST Research Transfer Grant. A team of experienced startup advisors is available to provide comprehensive support at every stage.
Counselling Appointments
Appointments for an initial meeting can be arranged at any time. Together with our startup consultants, we will look for the best possible support for your startup process based on the current stage of your idea. Of course, all information is treated with the utmost confidentiality!
Click here to register for a counselling appointment.
An open startup consultation hour is also available every Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for discussing questions or concerns with our startup advisors. No appointment is necessary. You can find more information here.
Specialist Consultation Hours
The GIZ also offers individual consultation appointments with industry experts. These topic-specific sessions take place regularly and cover a range of topics, including taxes, law, marketing, and more. Current dates can be found here.
The Oldenburg Startup Cheques
The “Oldenburg Startup Cheques,” issued by the GIZ in cooperation with the Oldenburg Technology and Startup Centre (TGO), are designed to make the startup process easier and provide founders with valuable support during the pre-startup and startup phases. The cheque booklet includes seven advisory vouchers for young entrepreneurs covering legal, tax, and financial matters, as well as business and marketing strategies.
Workshops
We also offer several workshop formats as part of our startup consultancy, which startup teams can take part in either alone or together with other startup teams.
- Design thinking workshops: User-centered product development, innovation discovery
- LEGO® Serious Play® workshops: strategy and vision workshops, team workshops
- Market workshops: Targeted analysis of market potential and positioning
- Business model development: Development of the business model using various methods
Prototyping
Looking to build an initial prototype of your idea? The Innovation Campus is the perfect place to get started. Our startup advisors, together with the teams from the metal workshop and the Digital Lab, are there to support you throughout the entire prototyping process. You can find more information about the Innovation Campus' offerings here.
Expert Talks for Startup Projects with a Digital Component (OFFIS e.V.)
Does your business model include a technical or digital component that you need support in implementing? If so, we invite you to attend one of our expert talks offered in cooperation with the OFFIS e.V. Institute. To find out more about the counselling services offered by OFFIS e.V., please contact .
Use of the Living Labs from OFFIS e.V.
Would you like to test or further develop your technical or digital product idea in a real-world setting? The OFFIS e.V. Living Labs provide founders with exactly that opportunity. In these labs, various technologies can be tested under realistic conditions, further developed, or combined with other technologies. OFFIS currently operates Living Labs focusing on production, care, aging, energy, Smart City, and VR/AR. You can find an overview of the Living Labs here.
We are happy to provide individual advice on the available options for use.