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Trying out ideas

"Without a well-developed business plan, you don't even need to start with your idea". Not true - and definitely not with us!

There are many ways to test your idea on different criteria. We help you with our start-up expertise and proven methods such as Design Thinking, Prototyping or Lean Canvas to further develop your idea.

If you don't have a specific idea yet, we connect you with other people interested in founding a start-up or help you learn how to generate ideas that are fit for the future.

See our study programme at the University of Cologne

Are you a student and would you like to learn more about entrepreneurship, start-ups, etc.? Click here then.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click here to find all events

Type of event
Online / on-site / hybrid
For whom

Finale C3 - Campus Competition Cologne 2025

CONNECT. COMPETE. CONVINCE. The path to the Gateway Accelerator and investment offers of €300,000.

  • Wettbewerb
  • Pitch
Wolters Kluwer

GovTech Prompt-a-thon 2025

how can artificial intelligence be used in public administration to help tackle current challenges such as digitalization, demographic change, and data protection?

  • Workshops
  • Students
  • Young Professionals
  • Intressierte
young Entrepreneurs in Science, Falling Walls Foundation

Unlocking Research Potential Workshop in Cologne EN

Young Entrepreneurs in Science is an interactive workshop programme for PhDs and postdocs to help you ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

  • Workshop
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Postdocs
  • PhDs
Powered by KölnBusiness, Web de Cologne e.V. und Gateway Hochschulen Köln

Cologne Startup Summer Night 2025

Die Cologne Startup Summer Night ist das ultimative Networking-Event der Startup-Szene. Mit dabei sind Startups und Unternehmen genauso wie Vertreter*innen aus Presse, Politik, Verbänden, NGOs und Wirtschaftsförderungen, die sich aktiv mit der Entwicklung der digitalen und innovativen Wirtschaft im Rheinland beschäftigen.

  • Networking
  • Start-up Ökosystem
  • Students

Gateway Start-up Summer School 2025

Do you have an idea but lack the knowledge necessary to put it into action?

  • Workshop
  • Students
  • Scientists

Legal Hackathon Cologne

Save the Date: Der Legal Hackathon geht in die nächste Runde!

  • Workshop
  • Wettbewerb
  • Students
  • Scientists
  • Ökosystem

Female Founders Event

Save the Date: Female Founders Networking Event im InnoDom!

  • Netzwerkveranstaltung
  • Gründerinnen
  • Gründungsinteressierte
  • Founders
  • Start-up Ökosystem
  • Investor

protoTYPES Cologne

Save the Date – prototypes.cologne 2025!

    Good to know

    Did you know that each faculty at the University of Cologne has a Gateway contact person? Our transfer scouts are happy to hear from you if you have an idea that you would like to share or put into practice. Just say hello!

    Meet the Gateway Transferscouts at your faculty