FAQ

No! This is another huge advantage of running the program virtual. In fact, we encourage you to apply, no matter where you are from. For example last year we have had successful applications from the United States and India. We support diversity and have in KTUR (Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine” a strong partner that specifically supports the Upper Rhine Region.

As we are a university group very naturally most of the participants will have an academic background. However, we are open for appliactions from all.

This competition is designed to teach you entrepreneurship, so no prior experience is required. The only thing you need to bring is excitement and a willingness to work with others.

Yes. Many people applying for SPARK don't have concrete ideas, but are very interested in working on an exciting project. There will be a networking session to allow students to find others they would like to work with.

Yes. The start and end points are not precisely define; the progress made along the way is what is important. That's why we evaluate the status of each idea at the beginning of SPARK.

No. We have no such restrictions, ideas from any fields are welcome!

At the kickoff every person with an idea is invited to pitch in front of the audience. Then, other participants express their interest in joining a specific idea. We iterate the process until we have well-rounded teams for everyone.

Yes this is possible, if you apply as a team make sure to agree on a team name upfront. Just indicate this name during the application process. Every team member still has to submit the application individually, if accepted, you will be confirmed collectively.

Teams can be made up from 3 to 6 members. We reccommend building a well-rounded, interdisciplinary team.

While workshops take place on the weekend, community events take place during the week. Community events are designed to be fun and help you get to know all the participants in SPARK and our FoundersClub members.

The kickoff, demo day and workshops are all mandatory. Community events are not.

The location for each event can be found in it's description.

Slack.

Yes, the mentors we provide are all experts in their field.

We go case by case, so ask your foundersclub contact.

All official communication will be in English, so international students can participate without any problems. Of course within your team you can use any language you like.

If you are present at the kickoff and the Demo Day, and your team completed the milestones we will issue you a certificate.