Team University Freiburg
You can find the contact persons for start-up advice, entrepreneurship education, technology transfer, events and networking at the Freiburg site here.
Contact the local Freiburg teamAbout the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist brings together universities, people and ideas in south-west Baden-Württemberg. As a joint hub for the University of Freiburg, Furtwangen University and Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, we promote entrepreneurial thinking, a start-up culture and innovation in the region.
We bridge the gap between different universities and the real world. So that ‘That could be done in theory’ becomes ‘Look, it really works!’
Our Mission
We want to encourage people not just to come up with ideas, but to develop them further and put them into practice. To this end, we provide guidance, share knowledge, open up networks and support those interested in starting a business on their individual journey.
Our aim is to make start-ups emerging from study, research and practice more visible, accessible and effective.
We help people to realise their full potential and use entrepreneurial thinking as a tool – whether this leads to a start-up, a technology transfer project, self-employment or a new perspective on innovation.
Three universities, one shared goal
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist brings together the strengths of three universities:
- University of Freiburg
- Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
- Furtwangen University
Together, we are creating a cross-university network that supports those interested in starting a business across different locations and disciplines. This fosters new connections between academia, business, society and the start-up ecosystem.
This collaboration makes it possible to make services more widely accessible, pool expertise and bring together people with different perspectives.
Why the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist is needed
The region is brimming with ideas, talent and research potential. For these to develop into concrete initiatives, start-ups or technology transfer projects, they need the right support, visibility and networking opportunities.
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist creates a common focal point for this: for people with ideas, for universities with innovative drive, and for partners who wish to strengthen start-up activity in the region.
Anyone who believes that starting a business is only for economic experts or experienced entrepreneurs is mistaken. We bring the start-up spirit straight into the laboratory and the lecture theatres. We see diversity as a strength: diversity, different perspectives and experiences form the basis for innovative solutions. After all, the best research is of little use if it gathers dust in an ivory tower instead of creating real solutions in practice.
What we do
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist supports aspiring entrepreneurs through:
- Start-up advice,
- Workshops and events,
- Programmes for idea development and business models,
- Support with identifying funding opportunities,
- Programmes for female founders,
- Networking and mentoring schemes,
- Entrepreneurship education,
- Promoting the visibility of start-up stories from the region.
In doing so, we work across universities, with low barriers to entry and a practical focus.
The team behind the hub
The Black Forest start-up scene is driven by people from three universities.
Team Hochschule Furtwangen
Points of contact for those interested in starting a business, start-up teams, events and regional networking in Furtwangen.
Contact the local Furtwangen teamTeam Hochschule Offenburg
Points of contact for those interested in starting a business, start-up teams, events and regional networking in Offenburg.
Contact the local Offenburg teamWant to know exactly what’s going on?
We’re the operational team – and as such, we’re the driving force, the creative spark and the bedrock of the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, ideas or simply want to share something with us.
Support for every stage of setting up a business
Every business starts from a different point. That’s why we support you exactly where you are right now – from the initial planning stage right through to implementation.
Getting started
Want to find out if starting a business is right for you? Initial consultations, inspirational events and an introduction to the basics of starting a business will help you get started.
Developing your idea
Do you have an initial idea? Workshops, feedback sessions and advice will help you clarify your problem, target audience and solution.
Practical focus
Our services are designed to provide you with practical support – through advice, workshops, feedback, methods and contacts.
Visibility
We raise the profile of start-up potential, teams and ideas from the Black Forest.
Diversity
We encourage different perspectives and create opportunities for everyone who wants to think and act entrepreneurially.
Good to know:
Der Schwarzwälder Gründergeist ist einer von sechs INSPIRE BW Hubs in Baden-Württemberg. Gemeinsam mit insgesamt 28 Hochschulen arbeiten wir daran, Gründungen aus der Wissenschaft zu fördern und Gründungsinteressierte auf ihrem Weg zu unterstützen. So entstehen hochschulübergreifende Angebote, neue Kooperationen und ein starkes Netzwerk für Gründung und Innovation.
Du möchtest über die Angebote des Schwarzwälder Gründergeists hinaus weitere Workshops, Events oder Unterstützungsangebote entdecken? Auf der gemeinsamen Plattform der INSPIRE BW Hubs findest du die Angebote aller sechs Hubs gebündelt – hochschulübergreifend und aus ganz Baden-Württemberg.
Would you like to get in touch with us?
Whether you have an idea, are looking for a format, would like to get involved as a partner, or simply want to find out more about the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist – we look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ
What exactly means Schwarzwälder Gründergeist?
The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist is a cross-university hub involving the University of Freiburg, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and Furtwangen University. The initiative promotes a start-up culture, entrepreneurship education, technology transfer and start-up activities in south-west Baden-Württemberg.
Who is behind the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist?
Behind the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist stand the University of Freiburg, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and Furtwangen University. Together, they are pooling their start-up support services, networks and expertise to strengthen the region in the field of start-up and innovation support.
What makes the collaboration between the three universities so special?
The three universities bring together different perspectives, disciplines, locations and networks. This results in a broader range of support for those interested in starting a business than would be available at a single location. The collaboration is intended to create synergies and facilitate access to the services offered by the partner universities and local start-up ecosystems.
Is the Schwarzwälder Gründergeist part of a wider initiative?
Yes. The Schwarzwälder Gründergeist, as a cross-university hub, is embedded within the wider context of start-up support in Baden-Württemberg. The aim is to strengthen the start-up culture at universities, expand entrepreneurship education and improve the networking of start-up activities.