15 innovative ideas from Hessian universities start their start-up journey

Science Minister Angela Dorn: "The variety of ideas supported shows the inventive spirit that prevails at Hessen's universities. As the state government of Hesse, we want to promote such ideas, make them known beyond the region and strengthen the state of Hesse as a center of innovation. That is why we have launched the 'Hessen Ideas Scholarship'. In these times, it is more important than ever: The Corona pandemic also has an impact on research and development. Especially now, we need to support young developers from universities and help them take a step toward entrepreneurship. The scholarship holders are starting an exciting six months that will be characterized by the further development of their entrepreneurial idea into a convincing business concept. I wish them every success in the process."

Program of the Hessen Ideas Scholarship

The Hessen Ideen Stipendium provides financial support for knowledge-based start-up ideas from Hessen's universities. A central component of the program is the so-called Ideas Accelerator. In workshops, experts address topics such as financing, marketing or pitching, and the teams also receive support from coaches from the participating universities. The key element of the Ideen Akzelerator is the interdisciplinary exchange between the teams and networking with the players in the Hessian startup ecosystem.

From the University of Kassel, the startup team bli bla blubis being promoted. "This is an inclusive children's book publisher that represents the real diversity of our society in children's books. Because this is absolutely not yet the case in Germany. We show marginalized groups of people in leading roles just as much as people from the majority society. In this way, all children can feel represented and grow up being critical of racism. This contributes to more tolerance and helps prevent racism in the first place," emphasize the founders Özge Efendi and Britta Lützenkirchen.

Sixth round of funding

The Hessen Ideas Scholarship was announced for the sixth time at the beginning of 2021. There are two funding periods each year. It is aimed at students and members of Hessen's universities with an affinity for start-ups who are still in the early stages of developing their innovative ideas. During the six-month funding period, the scholarship holders receive financial support and are supported in terms of content in an accompanying accelerator program.

The state of Hesse supports the Hessen Ideen initiative

Hessen Ideen is an initiative of the state of Hessen, Hessen's universities and Hessen's companies. In 2016, the program started with the components Hessen Ideas Competition and Hessen Ideas University Network. The Hessen Ideas Scholarship has also been in place since 2018. The aim is to discover and promote entrepreneurial ideas at universities. The initiative is under the patronage of State Minister Angela Dorn and is coordinated by the University of Kassel and the Technical University of Darmstadt. During the term of the Hessian Higher Education Pact 2021-2025, the state of Hesse will continue to support the continuation of the initiative.

For an overview of the ideas funded: https://hessen-ideen.de/stipendium/stipendiaten/

For more information, visit www.hessen-ideen.de

 
Press contact:
Annika Wallbach
wallbach[at]sciencepark-kassel[dot]de
+49 561 95379 605