Great response at Start-up Week Germany (News)

The university’s Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer (ZFIT) organised the event as part of the Lower Rhine Innovation and Start-up Initiative (IGNI) project, in collaboration with research staff and professors. A comprehensive programme of events on the topics of entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity was offered.

The interactive workshops covered a wide range of topics: to gain first-hand information on ‘starting a business from a bank’s perspective’, students from Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences visited Volksbank Kleverland, where management consultants provided insights into the financial aspects of setting up a business. In addition, during a tour and a visit to the boardroom, they were given a glimpse behind the scenes of the bank. At the ‘Start-Up Movie Night in Kleve’, participants had the opportunity to watch a documentary about the start-up scene in the pleasant atmosphere of the Superstudios co-working space. Afterwards, they were able to discuss their business ideas in a panel discussion with this year’s Best Idea Cup winners. Another highlight was ‘Pressure Cooker Day’ – an interactive workshop at the Kleve Technology Centre. Supported by academic staff from the university and a creativity coach, three teams of students spent a day tackling the real-world problems and challenges faced by three regional companies. By the end, they had devised interesting solutions for Grantconsult GmbH, QuantoLux GmbH and Cumulus GmbH, which were presented in a pitch. In addition, events were held on the topics of business etiquette, self-marketing and successful idea pitches.

Both Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – supported by the IGNI project – and its partner organisations have given a positive assessment following the joint action week. The existing partnerships are to be further supported and expanded in future.