Start-up qualification/business model development

Establishing a business requires a viable business model. Another key factor when it comes to ensuring the success of a start-up project is the founder or the founding team. The regional pilot services and the start-up services of the universities in the federal state of Brandenburg as well as the BPW (Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition) and deGUT (German Founders' and Entrepreneurs' Days) initiatives organised by ILB and other partners offer general guidance for people wishing to start up their own business, for start-up qualification efforts and for developing business models.

Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW)

BPW is Germany's largest start-up initiative that supports founders on their way from the product idea to a viable business concept. A host of offers is available at no cost, ranging from seminars and consultancy services to all kinds of start-up relevant subjects, expert feedback regarding business concepts as well as various networking formats. Registration is possible at all times. Prize money of more than €50,000 is awarded to the best business concepts.

The BPW competition is organised by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB) and the Unternehmensverbände Berlin-Brandenburg (UVB) and is supported by the universities in Berlin and Brandenburg. The BPW is largely financed by funds from premium partners, partners and the organisers' own funds. In Brandenburg, the project is supported by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy of the State of Brandenburg and funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).

Deutsche Gründer- und Unternehmertage (deGUT) – German Founders' and Entrepreneurs' Days

deGUT is Germany's largest trade show dedicated to starting up in business and entrepreneurship. It is held each year in October in Berlin and over a two-day period offers in-depth expertise and consultancy services regarding self-employed activity as well as intensive contacts with peers, sponsors and mentors.

deGUT is organised by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB). The trade show is sponsored by the Senate Administration for Economics, Technology and Research of the federal state of Berlin as well as the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy of the federal state of Brandenburg through funds from the federal states and the European Social Fund (ESF). The trade show's patron is Mr Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action..