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The
Unternehmensschmiede is an amalgamation of the university and colleges of
Bielefeld with the businesses and economical sponsors of the region.
The
Unternehmensschmiede accompanies university and college graduates as well as
students on their way to become an independent business man or woman and / or to
establish their own enterprise.
Three
instruments were developed by the Unternehmensschmiede to support the start -
ups of independent businesses: qualifying lectures and individual consultations,
the profit center model as a project within the IIT
GmbH. Workshops are offered to obtain the qualification needed to found and run
an independent business; a "GO!" coach from the university can be
consulted for the important initial business advice and the setting up of a
business plan. In addition, arrangements are offered to meet people with similar
goals and experiences at different "Stammtische"; this gives
entrepreneurs the opportunity to exchange information and advice.
Since
1997, the start - up program from the Unternehmensschmiede of the University of
Bielefeld has been sponsored by the land North Rhine-Westfalia, the Sparkasse
Bielefeld, the Sparkasse Herford, the Professional Association of Industry and
Trade, the WEGE GmbH, the Commercial Juniors of Bielefeld, as well as by the
Employment Office Bielefeld and the Initiative for Employment. Through this network,
the available financial capital and professional know - how, the support of
business start - ups at the University of Bielefeld has been integrated
professionally into the region.
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“Start-ups
by students and university employees are a welcome form of knowledge and
technology transfer from the university to the economy. By closely working
together with the University of Bielefeld and the University of Applied
Sciences, the Unternehmensschmiede is an excellent example of a university
program of its kind.” Gabriele
Behler
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"A
main focus in the establishment of new enterprises project NRW 'GO!' are
start-ups of university graduates and post graduates. For the most part,
the enterprises of these entrepreneurs offer products and services that
help bring about the modernization of the economy of North Rhine-Westfalia.
Thus, the importance of the Incubator Project of the University of
Bielefeld, becomes evident: in this project, good business ideas receive
the necessary business- and economic oriented frame to be able to prove
themselves successfully on the market." Ernst
Schwanhold Minister of Economics and Medium-sized Companies, Energy and Traffic of the Land North Rhine-Westfalia
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"As
a regional financial institution, the securing of the economic base of
Bielefeld is especially important to us. The sponsoring of start-ups, in
the frame of establishing an enterprise as well as a successful
continuation of a business, is an important part of this. We are also
sponsoring the "Bielefelder Unternehmensschmiede" to increase
the attractiveness of Bielefeld as a university city." Hans Meermann, Director, Sparkasse Bielefeld
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"The
number of innovative enterprises established by university graduates are
vastly underrepresented in our region. This shows the high significance of
the support of entrepreneurs at the Universities of Bielefeld. A well
educated group of people is being extensively and practically informed by
the "Bielefelder Unternehmensschmiede" of the chances and risks
of establishing an enterprise; in addition, they are actively supported as
they take their first steps into occupational independence. Through this,
an important part is played by using the potential already existing in the
region and supporting its economical and social development. As a regional
financial institute, we support this innovative initiative.” Klaus R. Vorndamme, Director, Sparkasse Herford
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