Formats that help bring your business idea to life
Every start-up journey begins differently. That’s why Schwarzwälder Gründergeist offers a range of programmes designed to meet you exactly where you are: whether you’re at the initial idea stage, developing your business model, building your network, or preparing for funding, pitching and implementation.
Our programmes are your toolkit for start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. You can find inspiration, try out methods, get feedback, expand your network and drive your project forward in a targeted way. Many programmes are deliberately designed to help you get started whilst enabling you to take concrete next steps.
11 Beiträge
Entrepreneurship Lecture Series | Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
Schwarzwälder Gründergeist Ideas and Business Plan Competition 2026
Bridge the Gap – Spotlight on Female Founders
exist funding
Female Founders Afterwork
Starting a business – the right way! Entrepreneurship lecture series | Uni Freiburg
Online consultation
InnovationNight – Bringing together ideas, people and innovations
Founders' Camp
Open course on “Entrepreneurship” – learn the rules of the business world
Innovation Lab SBH
exist Funding
Do you have a knowledge-based or technology-oriented idea and want to find out whether you’re eligible for exist funding? We can help you assess your project and plan the next steps.
This involves looking at factors such as the level of innovation, your team, links to higher education, your business model, and what preparations might be useful when applying.
You can find further information on the exist funding programmes here.
Would you like some advice straight away on the exist scheme or other funding opportunities? We’d be happy to help.
Bridge the Gap – Spotlight on female founders
Bridge the Gap is aimed at women* interested in starting a business, self-employed women, and women in leadership roles – and anyone who aspires to be one.
The programme creates a space for exchange, personal development, entrepreneurial thinking and mutual support. It’s not just about fully-formed business models, but also about courage, clarity and taking the next step.
Discover our offers for female founders
Female Founders Afterwork
Female Founders Afterwork focuses on connecting with female founders, entrepreneurs and other interested women. Through the personal insights shared by our speakers, you’ll gain an honest perspective on starting a business – including all the challenges, lessons learnt and successes that come with it.
In a relaxed atmosphere, you can make new contacts, share experiences and network with women who have similar interests, ideas or questions. Especially in the early stages, an open conversation, an honest account of someone’s experience or meeting an inspiring role model can help you gain more clarity, courage and motivation for your own journey.
Offers for female founders
You can contact us directly and easily here:
FAQ
What formats can help me get my idea off the ground?
Idea workshops, crash courses, inspiration events, initial consultations, networking evenings, and accessible information sessions and events are particularly well-suited for getting started. They help you to better understand a problem, develop initial solutions, get feedback, and meet potential co-founders or supporters.
What frameworks can help me turn an idea into a business model?
Business model workshops, business plan templates, validation sessions, pitch training, coaching programmes and competitions are ideal for this. They help you to define your target audience, value proposition, market, business model and next steps more clearly.
Are there any team-building activities available?
Yes. Team-building is an important part of many start-up processes. The right formats can help you find co-founders, clarify roles within the team, complement each other’s skills, and continue working on an idea together. A cross-university network is particularly well-suited to bringing together different disciplines and perspectives. Just take a look at our events page to find suitable events.
What do the formats of the Black Forest Start-up Spirit involve?
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist programme offers support to aspiring entrepreneurs in areas such as orientation, idea development, business models, pitching, funding, networking and implementation. The programme includes, among other things, the ‘Bridge the Gap – Focus on Female Entrepreneurs’ event series, the ideas and business plan competition, and support regarding funding opportunities such as exist.