Kickstart funding: Up to 7,500 euros for your idea

Kickstart supports students, employees, doctoral students and professors at FH Dortmund who want to develop a prototype for their start-up idea. For each individual idea, up to 7,500 euros are available for special parts and advice over a funding period of up to six months. Mandatory components of the funding are a preliminary discussion and - after the funds have been approved - regular progress meetings and a final meeting.

A prototype is a functional, but often simplified, test model of a planned product or component. It therefore represents an initial version or a working model of a new product/invention.

During the project period, Kickstart's aim is to support and accompany you in the development of your prototype.

The people in the Kickstart funding program receive intensive support from the start-up service.

Idea proposals from individuals or teams can be funded if all persons, regardless of the respective faculty, have a legal relationship with Fachhochschule Dortmund. This includes: enrolled students, academic staff, technical and administrative staff, doctoral candidates and professors.

Alumni may not receive KickStart funds. If teams or parts of the team within the scholarship no longer have a university affiliation (exmatriculation due to termination of studies), the scholarship will still continue. Only the university affiliation at the time of the start of funding counts.

No. The funding program is aimed exclusively at students and members of FH Dortmund. Applications from external persons are therefore not possible. Exceptions are possible under certain circumstances, see "Are mixed teams possible?".

This remains a case-by-case decision and requires examination; in any case, a legally binding usage agreement must be concluded. External persons may be accepted into a corresponding legal relationship with the university through guest auditor status or similar.

No. Teams that receive funding to secure their livelihood (e.g. EXIST start-up grant, NRW start-up grant) cannot be supported by Kickstart, even if they are in the pre-start-up phase. Kickstart, on the other hand, is suitable as preparation for further funding, e.g. the two aforementioned.

Existing companies cannot be supported.

The focus of Kickstart is on supporting innovative ideas that have not yet been implemented. Funding is not possible for an existing prototype.

You can apply at any time. There is no application deadline. Please note that you must submit your application at least six weeks before your planned project start date. You determine the project duration yourself. Before submitting the application documents, you must have a preliminary interview with Christina Schönbergerchristina.schoenbergerfh-dortmundde . We will then send you the application documents.

After submission, there is an internal FH jury selection process. If the jury vote is positive, the application will be forwarded to the project sponsor and the BMBF, which have the right of veto. After positive feedback from both bodies, the project can begin.

All applications that are complete and formally correct will be assessed by a jury according to various evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria include

1. Feasibility
2. degree of innovation
3. Motivation and entrepreneurial potential
4. Market potential

Yes, a preliminary consultation is absolutely necessary. Please make an appointment for this with Christina Schönbergerchristina.schoenbergerfh-dortmundde .

The funding can be used for the necessary materials, the procurement of special parts and special consultancy services required for the production of the prototype. Personnel expenses, living expenses, etc. are not eligible for funding.

Technical equipment with a net price of more than 800 euros may not be purchased. The procurement of conference or other event tickets and literature is also difficult. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Technology over €800 net cannot be procured.

No. Procurement is carried out via the UAS or by the Start-up Service team. No cash payment or transfer to an account of the applicant(s) will be made.

All equipment etc. is the property of the university and remains there. Arrangements must be made with the start-up service and other departments if necessary.