Start-up academy

Are you toying with the idea of becoming self-employed or becoming a business successor? Or would you simply like to find out more about how to start your own business? Then you've come to the right place. We support you on your way from the idea to the finished business plan - even if you don't have a concrete idea yet, but the will to start up is there.

supported by

The Start-up Academy is funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus). This means that our advisory services, information events and workshops on all aspects of start-ups, entrepreneurship and business succession are free of charge for you.

Our target group

Start-up advice is aimed at the following groups of people:

  • Students of all disciplines,
  • Graduates (up to 10 years after graduation),
  • Doctoral candidates (up to 10 years after completing their doctorate),
  • academic staff (including former employees up to 10 years after the end of their employment)

with a main or secondary residence in the Free State of Saxony.

Current events

Start-up advice and then?

The Gründungsakademie primarily aims to raise awareness and provide information. That is why we organize various events for you, which you are welcome to attend at any time.

The consultation process itself is completely open-ended and founding a company at the end is not compulsory. That means

  • it's great if you set up a company at the end of the start-up consultation
  • it's great if you decide to start a business on the side
  • it's okay if you realize that your business idea needs more time and you don't start up for a few years
  • it's okay if you realize that your idea is not viable
  • it's okay if you break off the consulting process because you change your mind

Our aim is to show you your options. The knowledge you learn about entrepreneurship and yourself will also help you in your later professional life.

So take your chance to work on your business idea risk-free during your studies.

What actually happens in start-up consulting?

A start-up consultation is a very individual process, as it depends very much on how far you have already come with your idea. Nevertheless, the process can be broken down into the following topics:

  • Initial overview of the business model
  • Biography work, motivation, skills
  • Values & principles, finding your purpose
  • Target group analysis
  • Market & competition analysis
  • Problem-solution fit
  • Product development & prototyping
  • Customer journey map & customer promise
  • Pricing
  • Branding, marketing strategy & communication
  • Financial planning
  • Organization and scheduling

To ensure that you receive support exactly where you need it, the process is put together individually for you after an initial meeting. You will also receive supporting methods, templates and checklists tailored to your needs to help you get through the pre-foundation phase in good shape. With these tools, you will also be able to further develop your company later on.

At the end of the process, you will have your finished business plan in your hands.

Gründungsberaterin
B.Sc.
Claudia Döring
Center for Knowledge Transfer and Education
02763 Zittau
Schwenninger Weg 1
Building Z VII, Room 411
4th upper floor
+49 3583 612-4901