IDEATION

Initial situation

Startups formed at HEIs often lack entrepreneurial expertise, funding opportunities, and access to technical infrastructure to produce the services developed. As a result, innovative approaches do not make it beyond the status of an idea and potential is lost.

Solution approach

In order to increase the innovation capacity as well as entrepreneurial skills of students, the utilization of physical infrastructure (high-tech equipment and devices, software, etc.) will be increased through sharing in order to provide access to infrastructure for those with needs. Alongside this, the development of innovative business innovation and enterprise in HEIs will be encouraged through various 'open innovation' and crowdfunding campaigns.

Expected result

The aim of the project is to increase the innovative capacity and scale of start-ups by creating suitable structures and facilitating access to funding. In addition, the quality of innovations is to be increased by setting up a 'Pre Incubation Program', which is linked to a training concept and covers the process of product development in international, interdisciplinary teams.

Benefits for the target group

Students and startups are given the opportunity to learn about topics ranging from innovation to crowdfunding in a targeted manner and gain access to collaborations and knowledge exchange through the project's strong network with partners from Poland, Italy, Spain and Israel. This paves the way for the ever-growing start-up scene in Aachen to gain an international foothold and develop further.