Four students, four countries, one idea and the courage to make it a reality

What does it actually take to set up a start-up? An extraordinary idea? Technical expertise? Or perhaps, above all, the courage to just get started?

At the Innovators Club at Lausitz Science Park, we regularly meet young people who are taking precisely this step. This time, we spoke to a team who have only recently moved to Cottbus and have already enjoyed initial success with their idea. Winning the Climathon was a major milestone for the four of them: an opportunity to bring their vision to life and receive valuable feedback from experts.

In the interview, team leader Emir from Turkey explains how the start-up Aegis Kinetics grew out of an idea, what drives the team, why the Innovators Club has become such an important support for them, and why fear can sometimes be the best motivator.

A team that brings together different perspectives

The team could hardly be more international. All four are either studying or preparing to study at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and bring experience from four different countries to the table.

Team leader Emir is from Ankara in Turkey and has been living in Germany for around two years. He moved to Cottbus in September 2025 to pursue his Master’s degree in Hybrid Electric Propulsion Technologies. At the same time, he works as a research assistant in the field of rotor dynamics.

Joining him on the Master’s programme in Hybrid Electric Propulsion Technologies are Youcef from Algiers (Algeria) and Shraddha from Pune (India). Both have been living in Cottbus since September 2024. Whilst Youcef is currently completing his internship at BASF, Shraddha is gaining valuable practical experience as part of her internship at Tesla.

The team is completed by Daria from Moscow. She has been living in Cottbus for around nine months, works as an architect and is currently preparing for her Master’s degree in Architecture at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg by taking German and technical language courses.

It is precisely these diverse professional backgrounds that the four see as their greatest strength. Emir explains: “We combine engineering, Construction and Manufacturing and an artistic perspective. This allows us to view our project from a wide range of angles.”

From an idea to a start-up

The idea for Aegis Kinetics did not originate in a company or a start-up incubator, but in the day-to-day life of university students.

Whilst conducting research into hybrid propulsion systems, Emir focused intensively on the question of how batteries in electric vehicles could be used more efficiently. Building on this, the team jointly developed a concept for a hybrid energy recovery system that initially stores braking energy mechanically, thereby reducing the load on the battery. The aim is to reduce temperature spikes and extend the battery’s service life.

As Emir explains, the idea arose from the combination of his studies and research: “We observed how heat builds up during rapid load changes. This led to the idea of using mechanical solutions to tackle electrical and thermal problems simultaneously.”

A club that helps ideas flourish

The team found their way into the Innovators Club rather by chance. A friend drew the four of them’s attention to the programme just as they were preparing for the Climathon. Looking back, this recommendation was a stroke of luck.

Emir says: “I can’t thank the Innovators Club enough. Clemens and Azat, in particular, have given our project exceptional support right from the start.”

The regular meetings helped the team to further develop their idea, refine their pitch and build contacts within the start-up scene. Emir was particularly impressed by the attitude of the team behind the Innovators Club: “I love their motto: ‘If you move, we move with you.’”

An initial success and the next steps

With Aegis Kinetics, the team took part in the Climathon - a green hackathon held as part of Decarbon Days, where teams from Germany and Poland develop innovative solutions to climate and energy challenges.

The competition itself was never the primary motivation. Emir describes it as follows: “We wanted to build something. Something real. Not software, but genuine engineering work.”

The concept won over the jury. As well as winning the competition, the team was also given a guided tour of the Tesla Gigafactory - a very special experience for budding experts in the field of propulsion technologies.

But the Climathon is just the beginning for the four of them. Together with the Innovators Club, the team is now working on the next stages of development and on their first functional prototype. The four also want to take part in the Star*Parade. The competition, organised by the Lausitz Science Park in collaboration with other partners, offers young entrepreneurs the opportunity to further develop their ideas, make contacts and exchange views with experts.

The team is deliberately taking a step-by-step approach. First, the technology must prove its practical viability; the next stages of development will follow.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Towards the end of our conversation, we asked Emir what advice he would give to other students who also have an idea in mind.

His answer comes without hesitation: “Don’t be afraid. Of course we’re all afraid - that’s only human. But use that feeling as motivation. Talk to lecturers, get feedback, build prototypes and make mistakes. Everyone has ideas. The difference lies in actually putting them into practice.”

Perhaps that is precisely the most important message from these four young people. Innovation doesn’t just begin with a finished product or a successful start-up. It begins with curiosity, collaboration and the willingness to take that first step.

This is precisely where the Innovators Club at the Lausitz Science Park supports young talent, helping to turn good ideas into projects and, perhaps soon, those projects into successful start-ups.