Founding consultation - ideas get structure ...
The founders' service is a free contact point for students, alumni and employees of the University of Erfurt who are thinking about realizing their own business idea. Whether as a team or individually - register with us by mail for an initial consultation!
Initial check of the founding idea
Initial feedback desired?
Do you have an initial start-up idea and need a professional assessment of how promising your project is? You are convinced that you want to found a company, but you are not sure what the next step should be? You want to know more about the possibilities of already being entrepreneurial while studying (as a sideline)? You have already developed a business model and are looking for suitable financing options?
After an initial consultation with our start-up service, we will jointly consider which steps to take next, which network partners and other institutions can optimally help with specific questions and problems.
StarTH start-up grant for students and academic staff
In 2025, students and academics at the University of Erfurt will receive up to 2,000 euros per month to develop concrete business models in preparation for their own start-up or to apply for other start-up-specific funding measures (e.g. EXIST start-up grant or Thuringian start-up bonus). The scholarship can be applied for for a maximum duration of 3 months. Please address your inquiries directly to the University of Erfurt's founders service.
Creation of the business plan
Business model support for ideas with impact?
With structure and competence in constructive dialog, we support you in the creation of a viable business concept and also work hand in hand with equally competent network partners. In doing so, we present various methods and work together with you to develop your individual business concept to "investment readiness".
Funding
Looking for financial support?
![[Translate to English:] Taschenrechner Kalkulation](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/a/csm_pixabay_accountant-1238598_b247ad7063.webp)
We support you in exploring suitable forms of financing for your start-up project. Below you will find an initial overview of funding opportunities in Thuringia.
EXIST Business Start-Up Grant
The EXIST Business Start-Up Grant supports students, graduates and scientists from universities and non-university research institutes who want to realize their start-up idea and turn it into a business plan. The start-up projects should be innovative technology-oriented or knowledge-based projects with significant unique selling points and good economic prospects and good economic prospects of success. We will be happy to assist you with the application process.
Microloans of the ThEx Microfinance Agency
On behalf of the Free State of Thuringia, the Thüringer Aufbaubank grants low-interest microloans for start-up projects, company investments and successions and young companies. The ThEx Microfinance Agency is the advisory office for microfinance. The microloan supports start-ups, young companies and freelancers that have been on the market for no longer than 8 years as well as persons who want to actively participate in existing companies with at least 10% of the company (e.g. as managing partner(s)), in particular for the purpose of especially for the purpose of business succession.
The Thuringian microloan serves to finance business-related expenses in the amount of € 2,000 to € 25,000. We are happy to help you explore this financing option and prepare necessary documentation.
TAB START-UP PASS/TAB-Existenzgründungspass
The funding instrument GFAW-Existenzgründerpass supports measures aimed at self-employment, entrepreneurship and business start-ups. In connection with the establishment of one's own business and the securing of a business in the case of a handover in the context of a succession, consultations and qualifications can be supported by awarding business start-up passes up to 90 percent and a maximum of 1,500 euros. We will be happy to assist you with the application process.
Mentors
Start-up mentors wanted?
The exchange of experience between founders and seasoned entrepreneurs at eye level offers numerous advantages as well as synergy effects. We will be happy to help you find a suitable mentor from our network.
ThEx Mentoring
![[Translate to English:] Logo ThEx Mentoring](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/0/csm_ThEx-Mentoring-01_162fe747e1.webp)
Our regional partner ThEx Mentoring brings together founders and mentors. The mentors at ThEx Mentoring are between 25 and 75 years old. Some of them are still active in the company, others are free to spend their time on exciting projects. Depending on your needs, ThEx Mentoring can put you in touch with mentors with the right experience. We will be happy to support you in your search within this network. More Information
Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Deutschland - SEND e.V.
![[Translate to English:] Logo SEND e.V.](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/6/csm_SENDeV_Logo_d2204ac5a9.webp){kind=logo}
Our partner SEND e.V. is the Social Entrepreneurship Network Germany and already has over 450 members in the field of social entrepreneurship as well as sponsors from business and society. Here, industry-related mentors can be found if needed. We will gladly support you in your search in this network.
Mentor pool of Social Impact Campus
![[Translate to English:] Logo Gründungsservice](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/2/csm_Logo_Gruendungsservice_Uni_Erfurt_9e917a02a4.webp){kind=logo}
Our mentor pool is currently still under construction. However, we are already working with the partners listed below, who can provide mentors as needed. We support you with the arrangement.
StarTH start-up grant for students and academic staff
In 2025, students and academics at the University of Erfurt will receive up to 2,000 Euros per month to develop concrete business models in preparation for their own start-up or to apply for other start-up-specific funding measures (e.g. EXIST start-up grant or Thuringian start-up bonus). The scholarship can be applied for for a maximum duration of 3 months. Please address your inquiries directly to the University of Erfurt's start-up service.
Contact
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Mag. Jana Theuerkauf
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Dipl. Oec. Martin Hellmann
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