New online business models wanted

Developing new online business models and supporting and promoting the creation of a start-up team: This is the aim of the "IdeaJam Nordwest" ideas competition, which will take place on 11 and 12 May 2012 at the Oldenburg Technology and Start-up Centre.

The organisers are Express Fonds Nordwest GmbH (EFNW), an Institute affiliated with the University of Oldenburg that specialises in promoting start-ups and transferring university knowledge into practice, and the online investment subsidiary of the Nordwest Zeitung, NWZ-Digital.

Those interested in starting a business can still apply for IdeaJam Nordwest until 1 May. The number of participants is limited to 25. "The subject does not matter, the broader the academic disciplines and professional backgrounds of the participants, the better," says Prof Dr Alexander Nicolai from the Chair of Entrepreneurship. The programme is aimed at professionals and students who are about to graduate - regardless of whether they have a Bachelor's, Master's or doctorate. Research assistants are also welcome.

The two-day workshop focuses on team building and idea generation. Guest speaker is Jochen Maaß, Managing Director of Hanse Ventures, a start-up incubator from Hamburg. Experts from NWZ-Digital and the EFNW, staff from the Chair of Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs from the region will be on hand to provide advice and support.

The teams with the best ideas and online business models will take part in a second workshop, which will take place on 1 June at the Columbia Hotel in Wilhelmshaven. Between the two workshops, the teams will continue to work on their ideas independently, but can draw on the advice of the experts and entrepreneurs at any time. The aim is to present the fully developed idea to a panel of experts in Wilhelmshaven.