BTU once again recognised as Brandenburg’s ‘think tank’ – Founders’ Service confirms its long-standing leading position

The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg has once again been awarded the “Ideenschmiede Brandenburg” university prize by the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW). This marks the fourth time the BTU has received this prestigious award – following its successes in 2013, 2020 and 2021.

The University Award recognises those universities whose start-up teams have made a particularly strong impression in the Business Plan Competition, both in terms of quantity and quality. This latest award underlines the BTU’s role as one of Brandenburg’s leading universities for start-ups.

A start-up culture that makes an impact

A key factor in this success is the BTU’s Startup Service, which, for many years now, has been working alongside the Chair of Business Administration, in particular the Planning, Innovation and Start-up section, to foster a vibrant start-up culture at the university. Through personalised advice, workshops, coaching sessions and support with funding programmes and competitions, the Founders’ Service supports aspiring entrepreneurs at every stage of their venture – from the initial idea through the development of a viable business model right through to the successful launch of their business.

Today, the range of support on offer extends far beyond traditional start-up advice. It includes, amongst other things, training programmes, personalised coaching, support with funding schemes such as EXIST, networking with mentors and partners from industry and research, and support for technology-driven spin-offs. 

Repeating this award demonstrates that start-up support at the BTU is not a short-term success, but the result of a long-term strategy by the Founders’ Service. Since it first received the award in 2013, the start-up ecosystem has been continuously developed and adapted to new challenges. The fact that BTU has now been recognised once again, following the successes of 2020 and 2021, sends a strong signal regarding the sustained quality of its start-up support and the successful collaboration between all those involved.

A joint success involving many stakeholders

The award also recognises the commitment of numerous BTU students, researchers and alumni, mentors and regional network partners, who together help to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.

The Founders’ Service sees this renewed honour as motivation to further develop the start-up culture at the BTU and to continue positioning the university as the first port of call for technology-oriented and innovative start-up projects in Lusatia and beyond.

Background

The Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) is one of the largest regional start-up competitions in Germany. It supports those interested in starting a business, guiding them from the initial business idea through to a viable business concept, and offers comprehensive training, advisory and networking opportunities. The competition is organised by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) and partners.