Innovation is the driving force behind the most successful startups, and now is the time to put your ingenuity to the test at the HTW Startup Challenge on 16 April 2024! The HTW Startup Challenge is the event for founders who want to take their startup to the next level and pitch for prize money totalling €15,000. We also award the EXIST Women Prize. Sounds exciting?

Application

Then apply from 29 February to 14 March with your pitch deck and a video (max. 1 minute) in which you present your innovative business model. Ideally, you should have a connection to HTW Berlin or want to be part of the HTW community. The HTW Startup Team will then select the best startups from all submissions.

Prizes

The highlight of the HTW Startup Challenge is the pitch event on 16 April 2024, where the three best Female Founder Teams pitch for €10,000 in front of a top-class jury.

All startups can apply for the HTW Startup Prize. The audience will decide who wins the HTW Startup Prize worth €5,000. There will also be a startup rally in which the teams have to convince as many guests as possible of their idea within 45 minutes.

In addition, we would like to support budding female founders, i.e. the innovators of the future, with one-off sponsorships totalling €3,000 per female founder. The EXIST Women programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection provides the framework for this. Please note: You cannot apply for the EXIST Women Award; instead, the participating universities nominate scholarship holders and the sponsors select a female founder. We are currently still looking for sponsors! Become a sponsor and support female founders with € 3,000. CLICK HERE!

Price categories

• Female Founder Prize of the Berliner Sparkasse – € 10,000
• HTW Startup Preis – 5.000 €
• EXIST Women – 3.000 € per scholarship holder

Female Founder Startups apply for the Female Founder Prize worth €10,000.
All others have a chance to win the HTW Startup Prize worth €5,000.
It is not possible to apply for the EXIST Women Prize. The participating universities nominate female scholarship holders and the mentors select a female founder.

The cooperation partner of the competition is the Berliner Sparkasse. Berliner Sparkasse supports founders in all phases of setting up a business. Whether it’s an account, a loan, public subsidies or modern financing instruments – the founding experts at Berliner Sparkasse are on hand to advise you and determine which offers are suitable. You can find more information on the Berliner Sparkasse website.

Award ceremony

Whether you want to pitch for the attractive prizes, get to know innovative startups and their business models or network with exciting minds from the startup scene – the HTW Startup Challenge is the perfect opportunity. Celebrate after the pitches. At the after-pitch party, you will have the opportunity to network and get to know the HTW start-up projects and the start-up community.

Take part in the HTW Startup Challenge on 16 April 2024 from 5 p.m. at the Treskowallee campus and take the first step towards realising your startup vision!

If you want to be part of the Startup Challenge final, please send an email to claudia.duenckmann@htw-berlin.de.

🌟 Calling all aspiring women entrepreneurs! 🌟

Are you ready to turn your innovative ideas into successful startups? The EXIST Women program, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), is your gateway to a vibrant community that empowers and encourages women to embark on the exciting journey of entrepreneurship.

🚀 What is EXIST Women?
As part of the German Federal Government’s startup strategy, EXIST Women focuses on strengthening the presence of female founders in the startup ecosystem. This program is specifically designed for women at universities and research institutions, providing a supportive environment to venture into self-employment and thrive as managing directors and shareholders of groundbreaking startups.

💡 Why Join EXIST Women?
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded female graduates, scientists, students, and professionals associated with universities.
Collaboration: Share ideas and collaborate in a pressure-free environment.
Inspiring Coaches: Envision your business ideas with experienced female coaches who will guide you towards success.

🔍 Application Process:
Your journey starts with a thorough evaluation of your qualifications, ecological relevance, market understanding, and economic prospects. The most promising applicants will be invited to pitch their projects in a three-minute presentation to experts from the Berliner Hochschule für Technik.

🌐 How to Apply:
Ready to take the plunge? Visit the BHT Startup Hub and complete the online application form. Answer key questions about your startup project, and let us help you turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

👉 Apply Now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1u3Xx6IWtDQTBh6slole0QjT-BZSIp2ygVCeFxowRPIk/edit#responses
Got questions? We’re here to help! Feel free to reach out at any time. Let’s break barriers and build a future where women entrepreneurs thrive! 💪🚀 #EXISTWomen #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupJourney #EmpowerHerEntrepreneurship

🚀 Exciting news from the BHT Startup Hub: To kick off the year, we welcome the newest cohort of the Berlin Startup Scholarship!

🌐 We’re excited to introduce four dynamic teams, all with a unique vision! From holistic health platforms to cutting-edge digital marketing automation and content creation to innovative sustainability certification classification tools for online stores, our new cohort promises a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures.

🤹 Inclusivity at its best: We are proud to host 4 brilliant female founders and 5 dynamic male founders, who together represent 5 different nationalities. At BHT Startup Hub, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives and shared innovation.

🚀 Get to know the new members: We welcome the newest members of the BHT Startup Hub family:

dialetics.de: the first holistic platform for type 1 diabetes patients
GreenDB: groundbreaking classification of sustainability certificates and seals for online stores through innovative data analysis
Wavess: revolutionizes digital marketing automation and predicts the outcome of marketing campaigns before they go live
Scripe: redefines content creation in the digital age

🎉 Here’s to a year of innovation and growth: we look forward to the potential, creativity and impact these teams will have on our vibrant community as we embark on this journey together. Let’s make 2024 a year full of breakthroughs and shared successes for the existing and new teams!

🙌 Welcome on board: Dialetics, Green DB, Wavess and Scripe! 🚀

🚀 SeedCamp “Life Sciences” on December 18, 2023 in the Ludwig-Erhard-Haus at Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH

🌱 Dear students and scientists of the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) and dear network:

Are you a student or scientist in the life sciences and thinking of starting your own company? Would you like to find out about the essential challenges, opportunities and pitfalls of founding a company? At the 10th #SeedCamp “Life Sciences” on December 18, 2023 you will have the opportunity to do so!

SeedCamp concept:
In cooperation with Technische Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, University of Potsdam, Zukunftsorte Berlin, colleagues from HealthCapital Berlin-Brandenburg are presenting this unique SeedCamp at Ludwig-Erhard-Haus in Berlin . The focus is on practical knowledge transfer for scientists interested in founding a company in the field of #LifeSciences, from #Biotech to #DigitalHealth.

The event covers key topics such as financing and marketing and offers insights from experienced serial founders such as Till Erdmann in the biotech sector and the multiple award-winning TOP entrepreneur Farina Schurzfeld in the digital health sector. This will be complemented by an inspiring session from yuii Business-Training on successful presentations.
The sessions will be rounded off with a round of questions, the “Golden Hour”, in which experienced experts will support you in sharpening your start-up ideas.

🔎 Objectives:
Participants can reflect on their own start-up project, analyze its commercial potential and identify pitfalls and opportunities in the exploitation of innovations at an early stage. The speakers’ practical experience provides valuable insights.

👨‍🔬 👩‍🔬 Target group and conditions of participation:
Scientists and advanced students from the life sciences who are interested in commercialization and start-up topics are invited. Regardless of whether you are already at the beginning of the start-up process or are looking for additional inspiration for your start-up – you are very welcome.

The SeedCamp starts on December 18, 2023 at 9:30 am with a short welcome and ends at 4 pm.
Participation is free of charge. Take this opportunity to strengthen your start-up ideas! 🌐🔬

Registration and Information here.

#SeedCamp #LifeSciences #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Startups #BHTStartupHub

🚀 Ready to unlock your company’s impact potential?

Join us on November 9, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM (Online via Webex) for an exciting event by IHK Berlin:

🌱 “Making Impact Visible: The Basics of Impact Measurement” 🌱

In today’s world, measuring your sustainable /social company’s impact is essential. We’ll break it down with an amazing lineup of speakers from the Berliner Hochschule für Technik:

🔹 Introduction to hashtag#SocialEconomyBerlin with Afra Gloria Müller and Heike Birkhölzer
🔹 Data for Impact with Katharina Bruns
🔹 Social Audit with Heike Birkhölzer

It’s free to attend! Reserve your spot now through the registration form and see you there! 💥

https://events.ihk-berlin.de/20231109socialeconomy-sp

#ImpactMeasurement #BusinessImpact #cityofimpact

Innovations that are created in Berlin should also be implemented in Berlin. That is the idea behind the network of the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin), the  Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT), the Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin), the Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (EHB) und the Katholische Hochschule für Sozialwesen Berlin (KHSB). Around eight million euros from the “Innovative Hochschule” funding programme are available for this. The project was launched on 17 October with a high-profile kick-off event.

“Berlin has a lot of potential. There is an incredible amount of knowledge and research here and many young people with creative ideas. The city is predestined to bring both together,” explained the project leader and Vice President of HTW Berlin, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Molthagen-Schnöring, in welcoming and introducing the project “Zukunft findet Stadt – Hochschulnetzwerk für ein resilientes Berlin”. The importance and charisma of this collaborative project was underlined by the contributions of Britta Behrendt, State Secretary for Climate Protection, Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economics and Dr. Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research, with impulses and wishes from the political sphere.

The university network is to initiate projects, network people with each other, and the first prototypes are to be created. “We want to open our laboratories and make them usable for actors from civil society or for companies that have concrete questions and want to work with students on site. With a roadshow through Berlin companies, we also want to explore points of contact between science and business. After all, as Berlin’s universities of applied sciences, we are there for the city. And we want innovations that are created in Berlin to be implemented here – and to stay here,” says Molthagen-Schnöring.

The project focuses on the topics of health and climate protection. Together with partners from business and urban society, the five universities are working on urban challenges to prepare the capital region for the future. To this end, the partner universities develop and test new transfer formats and activities. The close interaction with practice strengthens the areas of third mission and transfer in the universities and consolidates the regional anchoring of the universities of applied sciences (HAW). For example, two real labs are being created as part of the project at the Berlin partners Johannesstift Diakonie Pflege und Wohnen and Impact Hub Berlin.

“The Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) is also starting the Berlin-wide project ‘Zukunft findet Stadt’ with great pleasure. The great challenges of our time require an interplay of many specialist disciplines. With the physical location in the GlasBox, the BHT is creating a contact point for students and departments of the university, urban society as well as for companies and science in order to jointly identify needs and create solutions through concrete innovations,” says Dr Julia Neuhaus, President of the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT).

About the funding:

The funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research runs for five years until 2027 with eight million euros. Around 1.2 million euros will go to project partners in industry and society. In addition, about 850,000 euros will flow into Berlin’s economy through contract awards. The universities are thus promoting Berlin’s urban society. This was preceded by a nationwide competition. 165 universities applied for the second funding round of the federal-state initiative. The selection committee chose 16 individual and 13 joint projects for funding, including “Zukunft findet Stadt”.

Website: www.zukunftstadt.berlin

We are excited to announce the launch of our latest call for future Startup Founders for the Berliner Startup Stipendium in 2024 right here at BHT Startup Hub! 🌟

Who Are We Looking For?
We are on the lookout for visionary entrepreneurs and pioneering founding teams with innovative solutions geared towards creating a sustainable city of the future.
If your startup is rooted in technology and knowledge, your journey begins with us.
At BHT Startup Hub, we place a premium on diversity and a forward-thinking approach from our applicants.

With students representing an impressive 130+ countries and a curriculum spanning applied engineering, natural sciences, and economics, our environment is uniquely equipped to foster passionate Startup Founders who share our mission of shaping a better and impactful future. 🌍

Why BHT Startup Hub?
We’re not just seeking any startup; we are searching for founders committed to crafting ethically sound strategies and technical solutions for the challenges of today in energy sector, construction & housing, food production, industry & supply chain, healthcare or climate protection.
Our mission is to nurture these innovative ideas with the support of our university of applied sciences and our network.

When Can You Apply?
Aspiring founders can take the first step towards the Berliner Startup Stipendium by requesting a free startup consultation online, available throughout the year. Join us at our open consultation hour held every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on campus. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to transform your startup dreams into reality!

Mark Your Calendars!
Our application deadline for the next batch is set for the 31st of October. All the essential details can be found on our website at www.bht-startup-hub.de/berliner-startup-stipendium .
Be part of something extraordinary and embark on your entrepreneurial journey with us.

Let’s come together to build a brighter, more sustainable future. Join BHT Startup Hub and let your startup ideas shine!
💡🚀 #StartupOpportunity #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #BHTStartupHub

The Berlin Startup Stipendium scholarships are granted by the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT). These scholarships are financially supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the State of Berlin (Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises / operated by Investitionsbank Berlin).

With the “GründerinnenBONUS” funding program, the state of Berlin grants companies a one-time, additional bonus to increase the proportion of women founding companies and to bring about equal opportunities between female and male entrepreneurs. Funding will be provided to companies that have received or will receive a GründerBONUS in calendar year 2023 and that are predominantly made up of female founders or in which the female shareholders hold the majority of the company shares.

Applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 25, 2023.
Further information on the funding program can be found on the ServicePortal Berlin.

Applications must be submitted to:
Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Operations
Department IV D
Martin-Luther-Str. 105, 10825 Berlin, Germany

More Information in German Language:
https://www.berlin.de/sen/web/presse/pressemitteilungen/2023/pressemitteilung.1366622.php

Today’s science is tomorrow’s innovation, and our future hinges on the dialogue between curious young minds and seasoned experts. To foster this vital connection between innovation and knowledge transfer, we’re thrilled to announce the “AI and Sustainability” competition in collaboration with Berlin Science Week and te.ma, a renowned media platform. Apply till September 15th.

🚀 What’s the competition about?
We’re delving into the realm of “Hidden AI.” AI is more than a futuristic concept; it’s silently transforming our daily lives. From smartphone autocorrect to social media suggestions and personalized insurance quotes, AI is everywhere, often concealed beneath the surface. These applications bring undeniable advantages, yet they also carry significant risks. AI algorithms are often enigmatic “black boxes,” with opaque decision-making processes.

🧐 What’s the impact of “Hidden AI” on society?
Our competition invites you to explore the concealed aspects of AI. We seek insights into where AI operates unnoticed in our daily routines and when algorithmic functionalities remain elusive. What potential dangers do these concealed AI applications pose to users and affected individuals? And what social, economic, or ecological consequences can be substantiated or predicted due to Hidden AI?

📣 Who can participate?
✅ Bachelor’s and Master’s students across various disciplines
✅ Young scientists with a thirst for exploration
✅ Individuals or teams with a passion for unraveling AI’s mysteries

💡 Why participate?
All authors will receive professional feedback on their submissions.
The top three works will be published on te.ma, complete with a personalized DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
The authors of the best three papers will gain exclusive access to a networking event on November 3rd at the Berlin Science Week Campus.
The best contribution will secure a coveted slot at the Speaker’s Corner at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.

Through the project’s extensive communication channels, the top three works will receive widespread visibility.

📝 What can you submit?
> Original contributions that haven’t been published elsewhere.
> Scientific papers grounded in facts and empirical data, exploring a relevant aspect of the competition’s theme.
> Don’t miss the opportunity to shed light on the hidden facets of AI and its impact on our world. Join us in this exciting journey of discovery and innovation!

For more details and to submit your entry, visit: Hidden AI Competition Details.
Let’s unveil the hidden AI and shape a more sustainable future together! 🌟