Services, trade & crafts in the spotlight: starting signal for the STAR*PARADE pitches 2025

The STAR*PARADE pitches in the Service & Trade and Craft categories took place on 12 September in the SKAN Park on Lake Bärwald. The mayor of the municipality of Boxberg/O.L. Hendryk Balko first welcomed all those present and then the stage was set for the future LAUSITZ*STARS 2025.

A total of 21 exciting ideas were pitched that afternoon - from innovative garages, guided tour training and special language courses to maternity care, craft beer and special seat covers to processes designed to make living and building more affordable.

The pitches themselves were as varied as the topics: from Calau to Zittau, from company successors to international teams, from 20-year-old young entrepreneurs to 70-year-old founders.

Grand finale on 5 November

The ideas that convinced the juries the most will be announced at the grand finale on 5 November. The winners can look forward to prize money, consultancy services and important network contacts.

The kick-off pitches on 12 September and the subsequent barbecue, chilling and networking during a boat trip were organised by the Cottbus Chamber of Crafts, Dresden Chamber of Crafts, Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce together with other players from the Startup Lausitz start-up ecosystem. In the juries of the categories and HWKs as well as from Gebäudewirtschaft Cottbus GWC, MBG Sachsen, Berufsakademie Bautzen, Lucas Group, Kekila, Rotec Bürotechnik, Startup Lausitz, Chairlines, Sparkasse Oberlausitz and the Innovationsakademie.

Pitches in other categories will take place until the end of October:

• Cultural and creative industries pitch: 24 September, 5-8 p.m., Kunsthalle Lausitz, Güterzufuhrstraße 7, 03046 Cottbus
• Pitch Social Entrepreneurship: 25 September, 5-7.30 pm, IKMZ-BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Platz der Deutschen Einheit 2, 03046 Cottbus
• Pitch Pupils: 26 September, 4-7 p.m., ENERGY Business & Event Space, Lutherstraße 51, 02826 Görlitz
• Pitch Health & Social Affairs: 7 October, 4-7 p.m., MUL-CT, Thiemstraße 111, 03048 Cottbus
• Pitch Technology & Digital (Part 1): 21 October, 5-8 p.m., DOCK3, Südstraße 3, 02979 Spreetal
• Mix Pitch: 22 October, 6-8 p.m., Startblock B2, Siemens-Halske-Ring 2, 03046 Cottbus
• Pitch Technology & Digital (Part 2): 23 October, 5-8 p.m., EDIH pro digital, Siemens-Halske-Ring 14, 03046 Cottbus

The events are open to the public. Registration is requested at: www.starparade.info