Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach

What Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach does

Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach is the startup support unit of Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Ansbach, a public university of applied sciences in Bavaria, Germany. Established around 2020 by Prof. Johannes Hähnlein, it provides free consulting, education, and programming to students, graduates, university staff, and regional entrepreneurs ("Gründungsinteressierte") across the Ansbach and Mittelfranken region. Core offerings include one-on-one startup consulting, the interdisciplinary "Startup License" certificate program (30+ modules, 15 ECTS), the "How to Startup" teaching module, the EXIST Women qualification program, the Homebase WordPress website-building course, the IMPACT E³ impact-entrepreneurship program, hackathons, the annual "Campus der Löwen" pitch competition, and the Impact Founders Speed Dating event. The unit participates in the EXISTENCY consortium with FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and TH Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm and, since April 2025, is co-located with the ANsWERK digital startup center at Bahnhofstraße 2c, Ansbach.

The business model is non-commercial: all services are free of charge to the target audience. Operating income consists of public grants — including approximately €3 million in EXIST-Potentiale federal funding routed through the EXISTENCY consortium, €175,000 from the Stifterverband Entrepreneurial Skills program (with Dieter Schwarz Stiftung and Allianz SE), and EXIST-Gründerstipendia passed to individual portfolio startups such as TURNS (€135,000) — plus institutional funding from the parent university. Distribution is hybrid: on-campus consulting at the ANsWERK location, digital/blended-learning courses, and event-driven engagement (Campus der Löwen, hackathons, impACT talks) supported by website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsletter2Go newsletter, SoundCloud podcast, and YouTube livestreams.

The unit has built reputational capital disproportionate to its size (7 core staff plus marketing/creative support), most notably through the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) 2023 in the "Promotion of Entrepreneurial Spirit" category for Campus der Löwen — the first German university project so recognized. It anchors a regional ecosystem of partners including IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken, BayStartUP, ZOLLHOF Tech Incubator, Media Lab Ansbach, Social Startup Hub Bayern, Sparkasse Ansbach, and Hetzner. Portfolio outcomes include EXIST-funded startups (TURNS, brightensport), Campus der Löwen winners (Finderling 2022, Gido and Resoul 2024, TAIN 2025, WerkUp 2026), and Science Prize recognition for TURNS. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight (WordPress on Hetzner, Impreza template), reflecting that Gründungsberatung is an education-and-consulting institution rather than a software company.

Name

Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach

Legal name

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Ansbach

Website

https://gruendungsberatung.hs-ansbach.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach is the startup support unit of Hochschule Ansbach, a Bavarian public university, providing free consulting, education, and programs to students, graduates, and regional entrepreneurs across Ansbach and Mittelfranken.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education & Startup Consulting

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

Keywords

• Startup consulting services
• Entrepreneurship education programs
• University business incubation
• Founder mentoring services
• Startup pitch competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public University Funding: As a department of Hochschule Ansbach (public university), Gründungsberatung is funded through government educational funding, Stifterverband grants (175,000 EUR Entrepreneurial Skills program), and Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz programs (EXIST). Services are free for students and Gründungsinteressierte.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach is the startup support unit of Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Ansbach, a public university in Bavaria, Germany. It provides free entrepreneurship consulting, educational programs, and events for students, graduates, and staff interested in founding startups. Core offerings include one-on-one startup consulting, interdisciplinary certificate programs (Startup License, How to Startup), qualification tracks (EXIST Women, IMPACT E³), practical courses (Homebase WordPress training), and the flagship annual pitch competition Campus der Löwen.

Product overview

Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach is a university-based startup consulting service that operates as a comprehensive entrepreneurship support ecosystem. The core offering is the Gründungsberatung service itself, complemented by event programs (Campus der Löwen pitch competition, Hackathons, Impact Founders Speed Dating), educational modules (How to Startup, Startup License, IMPACT E³), and specialized programs (EXIST Women, Entrepreneurial Skills, Startup Track). The Homebase program provides WordPress website building training. Key partner services include the ANsWERK digital startup center and the EXISTENCY joint university program. This is not a software product company but rather an educational and consulting institution that supports student entrepreneurs through courses, events, mentoring, and networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Campus der Löwen: Annual startup pitching competition modeled after 'Die Höhle der Löwen' (Dragon's Den), where student teams present business ideas to a jury of entrepreneurs and investors. Winner of European Enterprise Promotion Award 2023.
• EXIST Women
• How to Startup
• IMPACT E³
• Homebase
• Startup License
• ANsWERK
• Sustainability Hackathon
• Campus der Löwen

Products and services

• Startup Consulting Services Core startup consulting and support services for students, graduates, and staff at Hochschule Ansbach, offering guidance on business idea development, founding processes, and entrepreneurship education.
• Campus der Löwen Annual startup pitch competition event modeled after 'Die Höhle der Löwen' TV show, where student teams present their business ideas to a jury of successful entrepreneurs, investors, and business professionals for feedback and prizes. Winner of European Enterprise Promotion Award 2023.
• Startup License Interdisciplinary certification program with over 30 modules from all 3 faculties related to company founding, innovation management, and entrepreneurship. Students earn official university certification upon completing at least 15 ECTS.
• EXIST Women 12-month qualification program for women interested in founding startups, offering workshops, mentoring, networking opportunities, and funding support for developing business ideas.
• Homebase Free blended learning course teaching students how to build their own WordPress-based website, including web hosting setup (Hetzner), domain registration, WordPress installation, premium template setup (Impreza), and SEO basics.
• IMPACT E³ Impact Entrepreneurship Qualification Program for students across all faculties at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hochschule Ansbach, and Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, focusing on developing innovative solutions for societal and ecological challenges.
• Sustainability Hackathon Multi-day innovation competition where interdisciplinary student teams solve real-world challenges presented by regional companies, developing creative solutions in sustainability and other business contexts. Held at Campus Rothenburg.
• How to Startup Interdisciplinary teaching module where students develop business concepts in project teams, learning to think futuristically and develop innovative ideas in context of economic, social, and ecological challenges.
• Startup Track Program where startup teams present their business ideas, progress, and visions, receiving feedback from experts and mentors at demo days such as the Final Demo Day at Ohm Innovation Center Nürnberg.
• Impact Founders Speed Dating Online networking event connecting impact-driven founders and co-founder seekers through rapid virtual meetings to find collaborators for social and sustainable startup ideas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 175,000 EUR funding secured from Stifterverband
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ANsWERK (Digitales Gründerzentrum Ansbach)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2021Digital startup center for Stadt and Landkreis Ansbach located at Posthof. Gründungsberatung relocated to ANsWERK in April 2025. Provides coworking space, modern offices, and acts as hub for digital business ideas and company foundations. Startups receive proximity to both Gründungsberatung support and Gründerzentrum services.
• Hochschule AnsbachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution - Gründungsberatung is the startup support department of Hochschule Ansbach. Provides institutional funding, staff, facilities, and access to student population across all faculties (Technik, Medien, Wirtschaft).
• FAU Erlangen-NürnbergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EXISTENCY consortium (with TH Nürnberg) bringing comprehensive startup support to Mittelfranken region. FAU contributes established startup services and knowledge. Partner in IMPACT E³ project.
• Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (THN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EXISTENCY consortium - brings additional startup coaching expertise and network. Partner in IMPACT E³ project alongside FAU and HSWT.
• Media Lab AnsbachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia innovation hub offering workshops (Summer School), events, and connections to Media Lab Bayern community. Provides startup support for media-related ventures.
• IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken - Geschäftsstelle AnsbachmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber of commerce serves ~37,500 member companies. Provides networking platform for regional businesses, supports local offices, advises on training, business succession, and startup consulting.
• BayStartUPmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBavarian startup network connecting startups, investors, and industry. Conducts regular business plan competitions with professional feedback. Provides access to growth capital and investor network.
• ZOLLHOF Tech IncubatormajorTechnology or IntegrationTech startup hub in Nürnberg supporting 90+ tech startups since 2017. Connects startups with network of universities, research, companies, and other ecosystem players. Has implemented 80+ projects with 20 companies.
• Social Startup Hub BayernmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCentral contact for social/ecological startups in Bavaria. Networks funding opportunities, supports founders with sustainable business model development. Creates measurable societal value through impact-driven entrepreneurship.
• Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in IMPACT E³ project - Impact Entrepreneurship program for students across three universities. Brings agricultural and food technology focus to sustainability startups.
• Sparkasse AnsbachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Campus der Löwen event. Provides prize money and support for startup competition activities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• KIT Gründerforum: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology's startup service offering events, coaching, and the PionierGarage program. Direct functional analog to HSA's Gründungsberatung in a different university ecosystem.
• TU Berlin Startup Service / CHARITEpreneurs: TU Berlin's central startup support unit offering similar consulting, events, and EXIST-Gründerstipendium administration to a large urban student population. Comparable programmatic structure in a fundamentally different (urban, larger) setting.
• Profund Innovation - RWTH Aachen: RWTH Aachen's startup support unit providing coaching, events (e.g., AC² startup competition), and EXIST funding administration to a large student founder pool. Comparable programmatic structure, larger scale, more established brand.
• UnternehmerTUM: TU Munich's entrepreneurship center and Germany's leading university startup hub. Directly comparable as it provides consulting, programs, events (e.g., Manage&More), and incubator services to student founders, but at much larger scale and with broader funding reach.

Regional players

• BayStartUP: Bavarian statewide startup network connecting founders, investors, and industry. Listed as a partner of HSA but also functions as a broader ecosystem player running its own business plan competitions across Bavaria.
• Media Lab Ansbach: Regional media innovation hub in Ansbach, listed as a core partner of HSA. Provides workshops and media-startup support in the same city and overlap region, addressing a related but narrower media-focused segment.

Others

• ZOLLHOF Tech Incubator: Nürnberg-based tech startup hub supporting 90+ tech startups with coworking, mentoring, and corporate connections. Comparable as a regional startup-support infrastructure provider in Mittelfranken, but operates a more commercial/hybrid model rather than purely university-funded.

Direct peers

• Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm - Startup Service: The third EXISTENCY consortium partner, offering parallel startup coaching and event programs to its own students in Nürnberg. Same federal funding stream and identical programmatic structure as HSA's Gründungsberatung.
• FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg - Startup Support: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is a direct consortium partner in EXISTENCY and IMPACT E³, running essentially the same university-based entrepreneurship support services for Franconian students. Functionally identical model in the same regional ecosystem.
• Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) - Gründerzentrum: Partner in the IMPACT E³ consortium and a Bavarian applied-sciences university running comparable entrepreneurship programs for its students. Same funding architecture (EXIST, Stifterverband) and target audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZcG1d2Z3z9YjK9E8x5L2qw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gr%C3%BCndungsberatung-hs-ansbach
• Instagraminstagram.com/gruendungsberatung.hs.ansbach

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gründungsberatung Hochschule Ansbach