The nationwide business plan competition Science4Life Venture Cup is entering a new round. Entrepreneurs from the life sciences, chemicals, and energy sectors will benefit from individual coaching, a strong network of experts, and prize money totaling €82,000 – for the 20th time. The deadline for the first phase is October 20, 2017.
Startups can go through three phases: It starts with the idea phase in October, continues with the development of the concept until January 2018, and finally, the final stretch to the perfect business plan by April 2018. This is the 20th time that startups have participated in the "Science4Life Venture Cup." To date, over 1,750 business ideas, 967 business plans, and over 850 newly founded companies have been created. This record makes the "Science4Life Venture Cup" the most successful business plan competition for life sciences, chemistry, and energy in Germany. Participation is free. You can join and win during any phase. Registration takes place online.
Start of the idea phase: Three steps to the perfect business plan
In the ideation phase, founders present their idea on a maximum of three pages. Experts assess its potential and provide constructive feedback on whether and how it can be developed into a successful business model. Thirty participants are invited to a one-day, compact workshop, where they have the opportunity to discuss and further develop their plans in one-on-one discussions with experts. The best teams each win €500.
In the subsequent concept and business plan phases, the idea is transformed into a sophisticated concept and, from there, into a finished business plan – the basis for launching your own business. Anyone with a smart idea in the energy sector can win twice: The Viessmann Group, together with the State of Hesse, is sponsoring special energy prizes totaling €13,500. This is possible, for example, for founders with ideas in the fields of renewable energies, energy storage, energy efficiency, digitalization, and electromobility.
