With StartUpLab@FH, the BMBF is funding the establishment of start-up centres at UAS. StartUpLabs serve as a meeting place for members of the respective UAS who are willing to start a business. They create space for experimenting, validating, and testing innovative ideas. The first StartUpLab was founded in March 2020, the most recent one started in January 2023.

The second status meeting of the 35 current StartUpLabs took place at the end of February. The representatives of the labs met on the premises of the host Gateway Köln at TH Köln to exchange ideas and network with each other.

As most StartUpLabs are in the middle of their project phase, this opportunity to exchange ideas was particularly valuable for the teams. The two-day programme offered a wealth of interesting workshops, pitch presentations, discussions, and lectures. Moreover, the participants were able to particularly benefit from the experiences of other UAS.

On the first day, Klaus Becker, Vice President of the TH Köln, and Nils Schröder, Department 416 at the BMBF, welcomed the guests. After a brief introduction to the StartUpLab at the TH Köln, the participants immediately started working together in interactive slots. Further highlights of the status meeting were the pitch presentations of ten StartUpLabs and a workshop.

On the second day of the event focussed on the continuation and networking of the StartUpLabs. Two keynote speeches provided helpful tips for the project teams. Participants were also able to visit the MakerSpace – the StartUpLab at the TH Köln – and to exchange ideas at the World Café, taking home plenty of inspiration for their own start-up support.  

The next status meeting will take place at University of Applied Sciences Jena in winter 2024.