Florian Hillitzer is no newcomer to the start-up scene. He has been working on an idea for a special light source for around three years and has even created several prototypes of his own. A few months ago he registered his own business, but quickly reached his limits: "I simply realised that I needed help, especially in the area of business administration. I hadn't even done my own tax return until then," laughs the electrical engineering student.
He found this help thanks to the Gründergarage, a teaching programme offered by the four StartupSÜD universities (Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Ulm University of Technology, Ulm University and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences). Here Hillitzer met four new comrades-in-arms and brought them into his team. "I thought for a long time about whether I should open up my idea to others, but in the end it was clear to me that I wouldn't get anywhere on my own," he reports. Together they refined his idea and created a suitable business plan - with overwhelming success. A gripping pitch and the well-founded business model now brought the team "Infinity Vicinity" first place in the final pitches.
The other teams were also able to convince the jury of business representatives and university members. Second place was shared by the teams from "WorkWild" with their concept for renting out co-working spaces in rural areas and "BeAware", who developed an app for checking products for sustainability and regionality. The students from "9toFit" came in third place with their app for workplace health management. In addition to book prizes and materials, they all receive an individual consultation at the StarterCenter of the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
For three months, students from a wide range of disciplines went through the start-up garage. The aim of the inter-university programme is to impart the tools and entrepreneurial methodological skills that are necessary for a start-up - regardless of whether or not a company is actually founded afterwards. The teams are accompanied by coaches from the universities and the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The team around Florian Hillitzer wants to continue together for the most part and take off with the "Infinity Mirror". He feels much more confident now. "The most important thing I learned was that you have to run through your ideas with potential customers. We did several big surveys and were able to check, for example, what price we could call for our product. I recommend the Founder's Garage to all students, even if there is no start-up at the end. You simply learn for life."
The next Founders' Garage will take place in the winter semester. Further information is available at https://www.hnu.de/en/transfer/entrepreneurship-start-up-promotion/teaching-entrepreneurship or www.startupsued.de (opens in a new window).
