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The Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Project
Batch #2
(Winter term 26/27)
Batch #2 – Building on the successful launch of Batch #1, we continue to grow the startup culture at Kamp-Lintfort campus.
A joint initiative by the enablers: Prof. Dr. Kathrin Weidner, Prof. Dr. Patrick-Benjamin Bök, and Prof. Dr. Karsten Nebe.
Batch #2
Ready to move beyond talking about startups to actually building one?
Looking back: Batch #1 (Winter term 25/26)
Last winter term, our first cohort kicked off the think2scale journey at Kamp-Lintfort campus. Interdisciplinary teams developed their ideas from initial sketch to funding-ready proposals — supported by mentors, partners, and faculty. With Batch #2, we are continuing this momentum.
think2scale is your launchpad: an interdisciplinary project with a genuine focus on entrepreneurship—personally guided by external mentors and closely supported by dedicated faculty members of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their startup ideas from the initial sketch to a funding-ready proposal—integrated into the curriculum of the Faculty of Communication and Environment.
Participation Notice
We have chosen a selection process based on applications. The participation requirements and target groups are outlined below. This decision stems from our intent to allocate our resources effectively and efficiently to where motivation and potential for implementation are clearly evident. Therefore, think2scale is explicitly aimed at students with a concrete interest in entrepreneurship and a genuine willingness to start a business, who wish to further develop and realize their idea within this project.
What We Promise—and What We Expect
We—the team behind think2scale—are investing significantly more than usual into this project. We bring passion, experience, contacts, and time to support you in transforming your idea into reality. In return, we expect your full commitment. Participants in think2scale are expected to engage actively, reliably, and with genuine entrepreneurial intent—not just for formality’s sake.
Our mutual promise is to collaboratively realize a project that extends beyond the semester. This reciprocal commitment forms the foundation for everything that follows.
Participation Requirements & Target Group
Applicants must demonstrate a clear interest in entrepreneurship and present an initial project idea addressing a specific problem.
- Students with mandatory project participation (e.g., 5th semester Bachelor’s students) can participate.
- Students without mandatory project requirements (e.g., Master’s students or those who have already completed their project) can participate as well — provided that more than 50 % of the team members still need to earn project credit points.
- We offer an official certificate of participation and a possible transcript entry as an additional module (subject to organizational feasibility).
- Teams must consist of at least three and up to four participants.
- Participation in the project is mandatory upon enrollment.
- Weekly sessions: Thursdays, 4:00 PM–7:30 PM (on-campus with occasional Webex meetings)
Application
The application process follows the shown procedure and consists of two parts: the online submission form and the 1 minute pitch video.
Apply now!
Applications for Batch #2 are open. Please submit your application via the online form. Do not apply via e-mail.
- Application deadline: May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM
- Notifications will be sent by June 14, 2026, including the list of accepted teams.
- Mandatory kick-off event for all accepted teams: June 25, 2026, 2:00 PM at Startport, Duisburg Innenhafen.
- Apply now!
1. Online Form
Mandatory information to fill into the online form.
- Project title
- Names of all team members, study programs, semesters
- Contact person with email
- Problem description
- One-sentence solution summary
- Target audience
- Added value of the solution
2. Pitch Video
The video (max. 1 minute) should be creative and persuasive.
- It must reflect the information provided in the form.
- Evaluation criteria include clarity, innovation potential, and personal motivation.
Program
Have a look at what you can expect during the program.
The start of think2scale is more than just an introduction
It’s your first real platform. At the kick-off workshop at Startport at Duisburg Innenhafen, expect an interactive half-day workshop with experienced impact coaches, startup experts, and fellow participants. This is where your journey begins—with honest feedback, new perspectives, and a strong community.
What You’ll Gain:
- Professional feedback on your idea.
- Insights from established startup mentors and partners.
- Challenging questions that will propel you forward.
- Networking with like-minded individuals and becoming part of a new, active startup culture at HSRW.
- Being taken seriously—as an entrepreneur, not just a student.
🗓 Date: June 25, 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM–6:00 PM + networking event
📍 Location: Startport, Duisburg Innenhafen
💡 Travel: Self-organized (no reimbursement)
💬 Note: Mandatory event for all accepted teams
think2scale Program Overview
(October 2026 – January 2027)
The project is structured in modules, guiding students from idea conception to a funding-ready startup proposal—through weekly workshops (Thursdays, 4:00 PM–7:30 PM) with some digital elements via Webex.
1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship
- Goals & structure of think2scale
- What does it truly mean to start a business?
- Differentiation from theoretical concepts
- Managing expectations and clarifying roles
🗓 Start: October 1, 2026
2. Market Analysis & Target Audience Research
- Refining problem understanding
- Research methods & stakeholder analysis
- Conducting interviews with users and experts
- Validating the initial idea
- Tools: Problem statement, empathy map, interview guides
3. Idea Development & Creative Enhancement
- Integrating market insights into the idea
- Creativity techniques (e.g., brainstorming, design studio)
- Iteration & focusing on the solution idea
- Goal: initial solution sketch + feedback loop
4. Business Model Development
- Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder & Pigneur) covering all 9 areas
- Goal: a fully developed business model per team
- Business logic, key resources, funding model
- Differentiation from competitors
🗓 Completion by mid-November 2026
5. Prototyping & MVP
- Defining and building a Minimum Viable Product
- Functionality, feasibility, initial application
- Technical implementation using available tools & environments
- Test runs, feedback sessions & user testing
- Goal: demonstrable, functional MVP
6. Pitch Formats & Feedback
- November 26, 2026: International pitch with HAN (Arnhem/Nijmegen)
- Goal: Feedback from jury & external coaches
- Format: Short presentation + Q&A
- Pitch training, storytelling, visualization
- Simulating investor meetings
- Goal: clear communication of idea & impact
7. Deep Dive & Implementation
- Legal basics, choosing the legal form
- Funding sources (grants, VC, crowdfunding)
- Impact & scaling: How big can your idea grow?
- Adapting the business model for scalability
🗓 December 2026
8. Final Presentation & Project Poster Session
- January 14, 2027: Final team presentations before a jury
- Showcasing business model, MVP, pitch
- Concurrent: public poster session of all projects at HSRW
- Goal: visibility, exchange, feedback
Evaluation Criteria & Weighting
- Business Model Canvas (fully developed): 25%
- MVP / Prototype (functional, tested): 25%
- Pitch (HAN & final): 25%
- Live Demo (poster session): 10%
- Funding Application / Project Proposal (ready): 15%
Team
Behind think2scale are three dedicated professors from the Faculty of Communication and Environment at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. They initiated this project out of a shared, intrinsic motivation—aiming to support students intensively, practically, and collaboratively in their innovation endeavors.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Patrick-Benjamin Bök
Computer SciencePassionate about app and cloud platform development. Co-Head of the Cloud Resilience Lab.
Prof. Dr. Karsten Nebe
Usability Engineering & Digital ProductionPassionate about making ideas happen, ready to use. Director of the FabLab Kamp-Lintfort.
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Weidner
Operations & Innovation ManagementPassionate about transferring creative ideas into functional business models.