Start-up Support
Start-up Spirit and Founding Service at CBS
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Start-up spirit across our campuses
Entrepreneurship is gaining momentum in Germany, and more and more students are showing interest in launching their own ventures. Whether you want to start your own business or join a start-up, solid business knowledge is key. CBS promotes an entrepreneurial mindset through subjects like Creative Thinking & Innovation and the Digital Start-up Lab embedded in its curriculum.
In addition, we offer dedicated support for aspiring founders through our Start-up Service, numerous events via the Gateway university network, and funding opportunities such as the EXIST start-up grant. If you’re thinking about founding a company, you’re in the right place – at the heart of the CBS community!
Our campus community embraces innovation with a mindset that empowers founders
CBS as a Gateway University Cologne
It all starts with an idea. But when it comes to turning that idea into reality, many questions arise: How does it become a viable business model? What skills are essential for founding a company? And how can business partners, investors, and potential customers be convinced of this idea?
As part of the Gateway Gründungsnetz e.V., CBS provides support for students in the Cologne region who are interested in entrepreneurship. Since 2023, we have been the first private university to officially become a Gateway University in Cologne. Together with the University of Cologne, TH Köln, German Sport University Cologne, and Rheinische Hochschule Köln, we offer students and alumni free support and guidance in building their own start-ups.
Various partners, including the Cologne Chamber of Commerce (IHK), Sparkasse KölnBonn, NRW.Bank, Kreissparkasse, and Köln.Business Economic Development, have joined forces with the start-up services of these five Gateway Universities in Cologne to provide founders with the best possible start for their entrepreneurial journey.
SKILL-meets-STARTUP: Gateway into the World of Entrepreneurship
Have you got an innovative idea and dream of launching your own start-up?
At “SKILL-Meets-STARTUP”, you’ll find the expertise you need to bring your vision to life! This event connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced start-ups from the Cologne region, offering a vibrant platform for networking, learning and growth.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, eager to gain valuable skills, or searching for a strong team – this is the place to take your start-up ambitions to the next level. Experts from various industries, mentors and investors will be on hand to share their knowledge and offer you practical guidance.
Seize this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and take your first steps into the start-up world.
SKILL-Meets-STARTUP – where ideas meet support and know-how!
EXIST Start-up Grant
As one of the five Gateway universities in Cologne, CBS International Business School supports academic entrepreneurs through its start-up service by awarding EXIST start-up grants to innovative business ideas. These grants are specifically aimed at start-up formats with a strong innovation component.
Start-up coach Stefanie Pies provides hands-on support throughout the entire process – from refining the initial idea to shaping and implementing the business model – and guides the founders through the application procedure. Professors at CBS, including President Prof. Dr. Anja Karlshaus, also actively support the initiative, for example by serving as mentors.
In 2024, a pilot project of the EXIST Women programme, launched by PTJ (Project Management Jülich, based in Berlin), took place. Through this initiative, CBS supported 10 women with entrepreneurial ambitions by awarding them a three-month scholarship that included a series of inspirational workshops and networking events.
At the SKILL-Meets-STARTUP event in October 2024, hosted by CBS at the InnoDom as part of the Gateway Gründungsnetz e.V., all scholarship recipients from the participating universities received their certificates for completing the Cologne EXIST Women programme “Gateway EM*Power.”
Throughout the programme year, the 40 participating female founders, together with their network partners, celebrated numerous achievements and milestones for their start-ups.
The EXIST Women programme will be continued next year by the Gateway universities in Cologne – a strong sign of commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship in Cologne’s start-up ecosystem.
Founders Factory @CBS
Are you a CBS student interested in founding a start-up? Then join the Founders Factory and connect with like-minded students!
This student initiative aims to exchange knowledge, support each other in the start-up process, and connect with entrepreneurs and mentors.
Interested in becoming part of the Founders Factory? Get in touch with the team at foundersfactory@cbs.de or join the dedicated LinkedIn group to connect!