On the 24th and 25th of February 2025, interested members and guests of the nanodiag BW Future Cluster gathered at the Freiburg Innovation Centre (FRIZ) to gain valuable insights into the path towards starting a business. Our first entrepreneurship workshop featured inspiring lectures, hands-on sessions, and lively discussions on spin-off support as a key driver of technology transfer.
A special highlight was the pitch competition, where young scientists presented their groundbreaking start-up ideas. Whether organoid-based solutions, an intelligent literature database, or an innovative therapy for the kidney disease ADPKD – the creativity and potential of all ideas were impressive. The winners were Lukas Westermann and Michael Köttgen with their planned start-up, SynRenal Therapeutics.
With an outstanding presentation of their innovative therapeutic approach for treating a common kidney disease, based on synthetic lethality, they were able to convince the jury – and secure the prize money donated by the Black Forest Business Angels.
Frauke Lorenzen from the University of Freiburg’s start-up office provided all the key facts on what makes a successful pitch and which crucial adjustments are often overlooked. Participants had the chance to apply these insights directly in an interactive exercise.
The most important takeaways? First, a statement must be concise, tailored to the target audience, and clearly focused on a problem and its solution.
Second, having the right team is essential. The conclusion: identify your own strengths and allocate responsibilities accordingly.
I personally believe that many brilliant solutions are lying dormant in the drawers of our scientific community, and we want to be the companions who help bring the right people onto a path to success.
But that was far from all – in additional lectures and Q&A sessions, renowned experts shed light on essential aspects of starting a business:
- From Idea to Funding – What Do Investors Expect? (Dr Christoph Mårtensson)
- IP Strategy – How Can I Protect My Patent Idea? (Wolfgang Heisel)
- Customer Perspective & Market Analysis – What Helps in Product Development? (Vanya Andonova)
- Regional Start-up Ecosystem – Why Is Freiburg a Hotspot for Start-ups? (Nikolai Sexauer)
- Entrepreneurship – Why I Never Give Up! (Kathrin Brenker)
- Venture Capital in the Pre-Seed Phase – What Support Is Available? (Tobias Schwind)
- Equity Capital for Young Companies – What Financing Options Exist After the First Sales? (Rebecca Binninger)
There was also plenty of opportunity for personal exchange: During the “Start-up Ecosystem Marketplace” networking dinner, valuable connections were made, and engaging discussions took place with key players from the start-up scene. Among those present were bwcon, the University of Freiburg’s Start-up Office, BadenCampus, Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe, the Foundersclub Freiburg e.V., Startinsland, arise Accelerator, actome, Phaseform, as well as the Investment Company of Sparkasse Freiburg-Nördlicher Breisgau mbH and the Fraunhofer TT49 Fund.
