THE INTERNATIONAL
STARTUP COMPETITION

Welcome to SPARK 3.0, the startup competition that empowers you to change the world with your ideas!

About SPARK

SPARK 3.0

Get ready for a 10 week adventure into the world of innovation! SPARK is a exciting opportunity for you to learn from successful local entrepreneurs and experts, and using their guidance, transform your initial ideas into a full fledged startup. You'll form enriching and longlasting connections with fascinating and motivated people, hailing from diverse disciplines. Interested? Keep scrolling for more!



Our Program

We have composed a robust program of workshops and community events designed to deliver to you the knowledge you need to build your own startup. The entire SPARK program can be found below!



Events

Events

Mandatory

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Our Kickoff and Demo Day are SPARK’s biggest events! It is mandatory to participate in both. For further information regarding the Kickoff and Demo Day take a look at the descriptions below.

Workshops

Workshops

Mandatory

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Workshops always take place on weekends and it is our goal to provide you with startup knowledge. They are always held by a professional speaker and cover important entrepreneurship topics. It is mandatory to participate in at least three workshops, however we highly recommend to participate in all of them since they are the foundation of the program and the milestones. All workshops will be held virtually.

Community Events

Community Events

Voluntary

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Besides the Workshops that will take place during the weekends, we wanted to create a second format that gives our participants the possibility to come together as a community to get to know each other, to exchange ideas, inspirations and discuss questions. Therefore, we host Community Evenings, where you will get to chat with experts, the Foundersclub members and the other teams on topics such as what it takes to work great as a team, online marketing in the age of social media, what legal questions are relevant for you as founders and much more. Community events will alternate between being online and in person.

See our program below.



Kickoff

Kickoff

29.04.23
10:00-14:30

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At the kickoff every person with an idea is invited to pitch in front of the audience. At a next step, other participants can express their interest to join a specific idea.

We iterate the process until we have complementary well-rounded teams. This process is very common and used at most startup hackathons.

Community Event

Community Event:
In-Person

03.05.23
20:00-22:00

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StuSie: Sundgauallee 36, TIK (downstairs)


Idea Development

Idea Development:
Sonja Kriependorf

06.05.23
10:00-12:30

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How do I get from an initial idea to a prototype quickly? How can I develop an idea into a useful solution? How do I involve my target groups meaningfully in the idea development process? The workshop will teach you how service design can be used in the (further) development of an initial idea or problem. After a short theoretical introduction, the focus is on practical application. In the workshop, we run through the entire service design process in fast forward.

How to create products and solutions that really inspire people? As a freelance consultant and service designer, Sonja helps organisations to work more agilely and to always keep the needs of the target groups in mind. Accompanying start-ups and small businesses is especially close to her heart. Sonja moderates workshops and design sprints, does user research and conceptual design. She is a lecturer for service design at the University of Freiburg. Years of work as a consultant at the agency Virtual Identity and as head of public relations at Fraunhofer IAF have sharpened Sonja's holistic view. With a lot of curiosity, openness and a large treasure trove of methods, she makes sure that everyone involved enjoys the process. Sonja has a Master's degree in Politics and Management.

Community Event

Community Event:
Online

10.05.23
20:00-22:00

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Marketing Strategy

Marketing Strategy:
Marcel Rombach, Clemens Salm, & Stefan Blattner

13.05.23
10:00-13:00

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A successful start-up needs a mix of analog and digital communication. The workshop "(Digital) communication strategy” using the example of "socity" shows the development and implementation of communication strategies in a digital and analog field. The workshop will be conducted on the basis of the first city-rating platform by its founder and two companions. The participants will learn how to develop a target group-oriented communication strategy that is tailored to the needs and goals of young entrepreneurs. Both traditional and digital channels will be taken into account. Furthermore, participants will learn how to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of a communication strategy.

Marcel Rombach: Founder and owner of the digital agency sodigital & the city-rating platform "socity". Clemens Salm: Wilhelm Oberle Foundation, Projects / Winner WirtschaftsWoche Entrepreneur Award 2002 for StartUp "doctors call". Stefan Blattner: Start Up Coach Finance / Former Co-Managing Director of three national companies (LU, DE and HU) of a Luxembourg holding company

Community Event

Community Event:
In-Person

17.05.23
20:00-22:00

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StuSie: Sundgauallee 36, TIK (downstairs)


Target Accounts & Value Proposition

Target Accounts & Value Proposition:
Andreas Heft

20.05.23
11:00-14:00

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How can you win customers with a convincing and customer focussed message ? Who are your most valuable accounts ? How to find the low-hanging-fruits ? What tools and methods can be used to achieve more effective products and services, better connect with your customers, and achieve long-term success. In this workshop you'll be actively working on Target Account definition and -selection, use tools like Value Proposition Canvas or Empathy Map.

Andreas Heft has a proven track-record in Business Development and held several positions in Sales and Marketing at HP.

Community Event

Community Event:
Online

24.05.23
20:00-22:00

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Business Model Canvas und Business Plan

Business Model Canvas und Business Plan :
Wolfgang Vogt

27.05.23
10:00-13:00

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How do you use the Business Model Canvas (BMC) to develop your business model. Based on the results of the other workshops, how do you integrate what you learned, e.g. from defining your target audience and from the value Proposition Canvas. Which channels do you use to get to your customers, how do you generate revenues? What efforts do you need to spend to bring your offering(s) to market and who can help you? What will cause costs and how do you plan for those. And finally, how does your BMC lead to your business plan.

Wolfgang Vogt has been teaching, coaching and mentoring Startups for 12 years pro bono with Senioren der Wirtschaft (seniors in economy). He is a jury member in many Startup Cups, and was Director Strategy and Marketing with IBM.

Community Event

Community Event:
In-Person: Barbecue

07.06.23
20:00-22:00

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StuSie - Barbecue and chill: Sundgauallee 36, TIK (downstairs)


Website

Website

10.06.23

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Pitch Deck

Pitch Deck:
Saji Zagha

24.06.23
10:00-12:00

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Learn how to effectively communicate your ideas to partners, clients, and investors with Saji Zagha, a founder and coach. The workshop will help you develop the essential skills needed to deliver clear and persuasive pitches and presentations. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your communication skills and take your ideas to the next level.

Saji Zagha is an award winning social impact entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Noor Medical. He is experienced in the fields of philanthropic fundraising, natural building and medtech. He holds a Bachelor of Business and Economics from Birzeit University and an MSc. in Environmental Governance from the University of Freiburg. In 2018 Saji co-founded Noor Medical to address the surgical safety needs he had witnessed while managing the construction of a surgical clinic in Chad. Saji is driven by his vision of a safer and fairer world, thus he provides mentorship and consultancy for entrepreneurs and development workers to help them focus their efforts on saving and improving lives in underserved communities.

Pitch Training

Pitch Training:
Mona Faisst

01.07.23
10:00-14:00

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A pitch shows you how to move your target audience to action and get the support you need. In this workshop, you can pitch for all you're worth and get the final touches for your presentation. Followed by the final tips to prepare your pitch and you perfectly for the final.


Community Event

Community Event:
In-Person

05.07.23
20:00-22:00

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StuSie: Sundgauallee 36, TIK (downstairs)


Demo Day

Demo Day:
The Demo Day will take place at the Lokhalle (Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 7, 79106 Freiburg) and will be a hybrid event but we encourage everyone to participate in person! The Demo Day is the grand finale. In order to pitch at the Demo Day you need to meet the four milestones as a team. You'll hand in a market analysis, draft a small business plan, create a website landing page, and submit the pitch deck.

08.07.23
13:00

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There will be many people from the startup ecosystem. Among others there will be investors, entrepreneurs, researchers and many more. This event is public, feel free to invite your friends and family.



Roles

Throughout our startup competition you will expand your capabilities and develop new skills. The complementary composition of a team is the cornerstone of its success. You may fall into one or more of the following roles within your team.



Creatives

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Creative minds play an an important role in every project. Your vision and creativity, and aesthetics are invaluable to a growing team. You study media management, design, theater, fashion or something comparable or you're a self taught designer? Then this category is for you!

Techie

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After a while you will see that an idea alone is not enough. What really matters is the execution. Tech students have the required skillset to transform a fantastic idea into our reality.

Business People

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You have the mind for business. You see logistics and economics, as well as understand how a team best functions. You search for sources of money like public grants, impact investors, or traditional VCs. Good businesses strive for self sufficiency, as a startup your goal is to make that happen one way or another!

Green Minds

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Our planet and all of its natural resources are the basis of our survival and wellbeing. You are certain that we need to do more to protect our environment! You have an ecological vision, you study environmental, ecological, biological or related subjects and want to work towards a greener future? Then please, go ahead, and apply in this category!

Socially Active People

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The human condition fascinates you. Behaviorisms, societal norms, and psychology are among your fields of interest. You are keen to innovate socially and change the world!

Wild Cards

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The X factor is hard to describe, you bring something separate and mysterious to your team. Your thinking is out of the box. You command a diverse skillset. You’re keen to bring your ideas to life. This category is for those applicants who are looking for a new challenge. All backgrounds are desired as long as you're enthusiastic about changing the status quo!



Your Mentors

We will connect you and your team with a seasoned, successful and local entrepreneur with special expertise. Your mentor will have exactly the knowledge that you need to start a company from scratch. Throughout the competition they provide you with insights, connect you to their network and help steer you towards success. Team-Mentor matching will take place during the Kick-Off event.



George Randolph Howie

George Randolph Howie

« Founder and CEO of Black Diamond Software »

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George Randolph (Randy )Howie is a CEO and entrepreneur, a Gartner management consultant, and an operating partner for emerging robotics startups. After having founded and run Black Diamond Software for over twenty-five years, his latest robotics venture, Archytas Ascendant, has brought his career full-circle, having earned a degree through the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, then started his career in robotics, AI, and the related digital transformation of jet engine compressor blade manufacturing for Pratt & Whitney.

Sophie Dams

Sophie Dams

« Grünhof / Social Innovatin Lab »

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Tim Weinhold

Tim Weinhold

« Baden Campus »

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Since 2020, Tim has been working at BadenCampus, initially starting in marketing, before transitioning to startup support two years ago. In his role as a consultant, he provides guidance and support to founders during the stage of market entry. Tim's expertise in marketing includes identifying customer needs, creating personas, defining value propositions and optimizing search engine visibility. He is also skilled in agile project management techniques, especially SCRUM.

Jeffrey Himmel

Jeffrey Himmel

« Founder and Founder CEO of The Artco Group (AGI) »

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Jeffrey Himmel spent the better part of four decades in the steel industry and was the founder and CEO of international trading company The Artco Group (AGI), a steel plate rolling mill American Heavy Plates (AHP) and the Hannibal Industrial Park in Clarington, OH. Jeffrey studied Central European History and Economics at Connecticut College in the US and at Freiburg in the mid-to-late seventies. Since 2008 he started and has led Uni-Freiburg’s alumni presence in North America which became Friends of Freiburg, North America. Friends of Freiburg strives to develop a two-way relationship between the University and its alumni as well as engaging in fundraising for the university. More recently Friends of Freiburg has taken steps to be of service to current students and looks forward to developing this effort going forward.

Nikolai Sexauer

Nikolai Sexauer

« Network Manager FWTM »

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Nikolai has general experience in incubating and guiding new projects and startups through their first pitfalls in different sectors (also social sector). He can provide you support in the market research about customers or target groups (i.e. with Design Thinking), challenge and validate your idea, help you innovating in business models with different approaches and tools and help you on your way to find the adequate business model (especially for social impact startups).

Florian Schneider

Florian Schneider

« Lawyer »

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Florian is a lawyer and privacy officer within an international Healthcare organization. He has deep knowledge in IT- and data protection law. A couple years ago he founded his own Startup in Freiburg. Ever since he has been very active in the field of Entrepreneurship, for example by having a mentor role at an accelerator in Hamburg.

Dr. Eleftheria Egel

Dr. Eleftheria Egel

« Business Mentor for aspiring Female Entrepreneurs »

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I assist women who want to start their business with professional advice, mentoring & business tools. My work is informed by my scholarly research, my very own experience(s), trials and successes. You can dig deeper into the details about me here: www.eleftheria-egel.com/.

Peter Neske

Peter Neske

« Pfizer Hub »

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Peter has been involved in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 3 decades in various roles. In 2018, he founded the innovation platform of Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg (https://healthcarehub.pfizer.de/) and since then he has been working around digital solutions in the life science sector and sustainable pharma production. He is also a passionate networker and actively participates in various local, regional and national innovation ecosystems.

Markus

Markus

« Futurice »

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Markus is a kind of Swiss Army Knife for innovation: with his background in physics, business, strategy and culture, he knows how to put tech heavy ideas into simple words and useful products and services. His approach is both: methodological and pragmatic. As local ambassador of the Finnish digital innovation agency Futurice, he has a local and international cross domain network, he is happy to connect you with.



Awards

What would a startup competition be without awards! We award prizes in three categories: Sustainability, Scalability and Social Impact. Every winning team receives a cash prize of 1000€ with the exception of the overall best startup which will receive a prize of 3000€ + expert coaching from Smart Green Startup Accelerator!

Sustainability

Sustainability

Sponsored by Friends of Freiburg North America


Freiburg is the Green City and of course there is a Green Award! For ventures that show that a good business model is compatible with nature and the responsible use of resources.

Scalability

Scalability

Sponsored by Black Forest Business Angels


For those who believe that the sky is the only limit! We award one team that proves that their product can disrupt a whole industry in a short period of time. Other people play, you scale.

Social Impact

Social Impact

Sponsored by FWTM Freiburg, Social Innovation Lab


Your mission is not to maximise profits, your mission is to create value for your target group. You have an unstoppable thirst to better the world we live in. We think this is awesome! + Scholarship from our Partner Social Innovation Lab.

Overall Best Startup + Expert Coaching by our Partner Startup Smart Green Accelerator

Overall Best Startup + Expert Coaching by our Partner Startup Smart Green Accelerator

Sponsored by Startup Smart Green Accelerator, Friends of Freiburg North America, Black Forest Business Angels, FWTM Freiburg





Testimonials



Hannah Böhme

Hannah Böhme

CEO of FWTM + Jury Member SPARK 2020
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I was very impressed by SPARK 2020! The Kickoff, all the workshops, the Demo-Day, briefly, the entire program was very professional and well organized. The Demo Day really showed great results and it was impressive to see what progress the participating teams made during the 12 weeks. We are very happy to be part of SPARK again and encourage all students to sign up for this years competition!
CEO of FWTM + Jury Member SPARK 2020
Thomas Völk

Thomas Völk

Contestant: neobon
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We have received many softskills, a huge network, a great mentor, who did a great job supporting us at all time and we have learned to work in a structured way on our idea.

Team: 'Nice step by step advance, great network with many mentors, Sprints were good (we did not expect this!), structure and continuous help were pretty important for us.
Contestant: neobon
Jonas Auras

Jonas Auras

Contestant: BesenKammer
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Our idea did not exist before SPARK, so we started from scratch and had the opportunity to learn a lot in many different fields like Business Model Canvas, finance and building your own website. In addition it was a great experience to combine different skills from all our teammates.

...you can expand your network and receive a lot of business knowledge.
Contestant: BesenKammer
Manav Madan

Manav Madan

Contestant: PapSamurAI
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I could’t believe that was organized by students, you guys were so professional and everything was so well organized.

SPARK is a great initiative for students who want to do more rather than just study. And it is also so culturally important that you get to meet so many people from so many backgrounds, you work with them, you figure out solutions on the way. I definitely recommend to all my fellow mates, go for this. You learn more than what you can learn in a boring classroom.'
Contestant: PapSamurAI


Organisers

FoundersClub Freiburg


We here at the Foundersclub Freiburg, a local student initiative for green and social entrepreneurship, seek to inspire students to innovate, create, and foster the green & social entrepreneurial spirit. We offer workshops and talks by experts and founders on topics important in the startup ecosystem, as well as host networking events and competitions.

Most recently we organized and ran the biggest startup talent matching in our region, Unternehmenslust. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and each wants to create value for the local startup ecosystem and learn how to become impactful entrepreneurs themselves.

FoundersClub Freiburg Team



Learn more about us on our website: foundersclub-freiburg.de



Patrons

Standing on the shoulder of giants. We are humbled by the support of these two outstanding personalities in the making of this venture. We will benefit greatly from their network, their expertise and their passion for innovation.

Martin Horn

Martin Horn

« Politics »


Lord Mayor of the student town Freiburg im Breisgau
Town Freiburg

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein

« Science »


Principal of Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
University of Freiburg



Partners and supporters

A huge thank you to our partners and supporters:

Interreg

FWTM
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As a management and marketing company of the city of Freiburg, Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM) sees itself as a service provider, lobbyist, mediator and organizer for the city and the region. It organizes trade fairs, congresses and events in various event locations in Freiburg and is represented as an organizer of international trade fairs all over the world. FWTM cooperates with numerous partners with the aim of further developing Freiburg as a business location in order to ensure the city's attractiveness for citizens and guests. In this context, the synergy effects resulting from the bundling of the individual business areas are of great advantage. On behalf of the city, it brings the economy and tourism sustainably forward, brings people and interests together, creates experiences for citizens and guests, makes Freiburg known nationally and internationally, finds trends for the future and sets impulses.
Black Forest Business Angels e.V.
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The Black Forest Business Angels e.V. is a community of successful companies and managers from the extended Region of Freiburg whose goal it is to extend their know-how and networks to Startups with the clear goal of ultimately investing in companies. The Black Forest Business Angels regularly organize pitch-events where promising Startups can introduce themselves and network with interested investors. This has led to many successful deals in the past.
Friends of Freiburg North America
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Our mission and purpose as Friends of Freiburg University is to support international exchange of students and scholars, and to promote joint educational and research programs between the University of Freiburg (formally known in Germany as Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg) and American universities. We build and foster relationships between the University of Freiburg and its alumni living in North America and establish partnerships with private donors and foundations.
Smart Green Startup Accelerator
Grünhof
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The >SMART> GREEN ACCELERATOR and the Social Innovation Lab are part of Grünhof GmbH respectively Grünhof e.V.

The >SMART> GREEN ACCELERATOR is one of the leading Startup Accelerators for the Green Economy in Germany. With innovative funding programs it accelerates startups in the fields of Green Energy and Green Industry and innovates organisations by implementing purposeful startup cooperation.

The Social Innovation Lab brings together people, organisations and skills. It provides Social Startups with a space to work, workshops, innovation programs, coachings and a network to develop innovative solutions for social challenges.
Social Innovation Lab
Stadt Freiburg im Breisgau
University Freiburg
digital.freiburg
PionierGarage
gründen freiburg
Gründermagnet
Leistungszentrum Nachhaltigkeit Freiburg
innoWerft
Techniker Krankenkasse
CyberLab
fairfood Freiburg