Starting a business is not only an attractive career option, but can also open up a real opportunity to change things for the better. However, the path to self-employment requires many individual steps and therefore a lot of staying power. Those interested in founding a company at the THM are not alone on this path, but experience a wide range of support from their university - from the initial idea to the early start-up phase.
Counseling
Having a business idea is the most important prerequisite for founding a company. But that alone is not enough, because founding a company means not only having to deal with your own idea, but also with many other questions that mostly lie outside your own horizon of experience and knowledge.
The Transfer department accompanies those interested in starting a business right from the start, provides information, advice and support, shows ways and options and brings those looking to set up a business together with the right partners via the start-up network. For more information or a request for advice, please use this Initial request form for start-up advice or contact the following email address: This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on!
information
Knowledge transfer is an important component of the support services. With this in mind, the THM organizes, among other things, with its network partners " StartMiUp" and "THINK" In addition to the curricular offers for students, a large number of information and workshop events.
An overview of current extracurricular events at the THM on the subject of founding a company can be found here: start-ups
financial support
financing
There are various ways of applying for state or non-state subsidies or grants for start-up projects. There are also numerous regional and national pitch and competition formats where you can present your business idea and have it evaluated by experts - often combined with the chance of a financial or other award as the best idea. Not every programme or format is equally suitable for every idea, which is why the Transfer section can be a good help in finding the right path through the "startup jungle".
An overview of the most important financing instruments, ideas and start-up competitions can be found here: https://www.thm.de/site/forschung/transfer/existenzgruendungen/gruendungswettbewerbe-und-programmeme.html
Intellectual property
In the case of knowledge- or technology-intensive start-up projects in particular, it is important to think about protecting your own ideas/intellectual property at a very early stage and to develop IP strategies. In this context, the Transfer department advises on the possibilities of protecting intellectual property under intellectual property law. In addition, the THM is committed to its IP Policy to a start-up-friendly exploitation of THM IP to spin-offs from the university.
spaces and prototyping
The THM gives its students, graduates, scientists and alumni who are interested in starting a business access to the infrastructure of the university as part of their start-up. Especially that one This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on! in building A15, where desks and meeting places are provided, the makerspaces in Gießen and Friedberg as well as that 3D printing center can be an interesting support for the development of ideas and/or prototypes for those wanting to found a company.
Networking
Founders depend on building up a good network - be it to find qualified co-founders or employees, to submit their ideas to investors or to acquire customers: the success of a business start-up depends to a large extent on the ability to form a network away. Thanks to its excellent networking with the numerous regional and Hessian players in the start-up sector, the Transfer department offers founders an entry point to find fellow campaigners for their project and to get to know each other.
