Start-up counselling

Start-up counselling at the Viadrina

Do you have a business idea or are you planning your own project? We will support you right from the start - from the initial idea to its realisation. Our start-up counselling is aimed at students, alumni (up to 7 years after graduation) and academic employees of Viadrina and all Brandenburg universities.

How the counselling works:

  • Binding initial consultation: We talk about your idea, give you an initial assessment and show you possible next steps. Contact us and make an appointment directly.
  • Free workshops: In our workshops such as Developing ideas with design thinking or pitch training, you will learn how to sharpen your idea and present it convincingly in a practical way.
  • Foundation workshop: In 2-3 days, you will receive a compact overview of all the important topics: Legal forms, pricing, target group, marketing, insurance - everything you need to further develop your business idea.
  • Individualised support: We work with you to develop your concept further and advise you on planning, financing and suitable funding opportunities.
  • 1:1 coaching for challenging start-up projects: For selected projects, we arrange intensive consultation with external experts - e.g. on marketing, law & taxes, crowdfunding or app development.

Our goal: to optimally prepare you for your start-up - competently, free of charge and always at eye level.

Arrange your personal meeting now - we look forward to your idea!

Funded by the European Union and the state of Brandenburg.

 Logo Land Brandenburg

 DE-Kofinanziert von der Europäischen Union Logo

Schaubild Förderung und Begleitung von Gründungen

At a glance

Before you offer your service or sell a product, you need to register your activity. Trades must be registered with the trade office and self-employment or freelance work with the tax office.

Many consultations, services and subsidies are only possible prior to official registration with the tax and/or trade office. Make sure you go start-up counselling before you register anything!

Employee or student status may change depending on the scope of the activity. The Viadrina Start-up Service provides comprehensive advice on start-up topics and offers networking opportunities.

Depending on the nature of your business, you only need to register your company either with the Finanzamt or with the tax office and the Gewerbeamt. Here is an overview of the most important steps:

  • Registering liberal professions: You register artistic and intellectual activities directly with the Finanzamt.
  • Registering commercial activities: Commercial enterprises must be registered with the Trade Licensing Office. The exact procedure depends on the chosen legal form.
    • Legal forms & documents: Depending on the legal form, you will need different documents and must observe various formalities when registering your business. It is therefore essential that you find out about the appropriate legal forms before registering. Here you can find an overview.
  • Finanzamt registration: After registering your business, the Finanzamt will be informed automatically and will contact you for tax registration.
  • Mandatory membership of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or Chamber of Crafts (HWK): Depending on the trade, you are automatically registered with the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or Chamber of Crafts (HWK). In many cases, this membership is mandatory and associated with contributions.
    • Registration for social insurance: Your activity must also be registered with the nursing, pension and health insurance fund - this may change your contributions.

Our tip: Find out in advance about suitable legal forms and possible obligations. We will be happy to support you personally in our start-up consultation - just get in touch with us!

If you are founding as a student, special rules apply:

  • Self-employed activities must be reported to care and health insurance.
  • Income and asset limits apply to the BAföG benefit. You can find more information here.
  • For full-time studies, the following applies: maximum 20 hours of work per week to retain your student status and family insurance.
  • In part-time studies there is no such limit on hours - a change is possible in some study courses.

Important: Switching to part-time study can affect your insurance status. Clarify this in advance with the study coordinator of your study course and your health insurance provider.

You can find more information on taxes and allowances for students here.

Whether concentrated work or creative exchange in a team - at the Viadrina you have various workspaces at your disposal:

Coworking space in the old canteen

A new coworking space is being created in the Old Canteen. From 2026, you will be able to network here, work together and advance your ideas

Transitional workspace in the Gräfin-Dönhoff-Building (GD)

During the renovation phase, Viadrina is providing a workspace in GD 03 - Tuesdays to Thursdays from 11am to 3pm.

ENS Coworking Space

The ENS Coworking Space in the Collegium Polonicum offers 250 m² of flexible workspace. Here you can work on your projects, exchange ideas and be creative. The coworking space offers:

  • Co-working area with modular elements
  • Working booths and offices for academic staff
  • WLAN, coffee, chill-out area and table football

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11:00 - 17:00.

Additional work locations on campus

  • Canteen: Monday to Thursday until 4 p.m.
  • Library (Main Building): Group rooms, conference room and individual workstations. Further information at the Library.

Come and find your perfect workspace for focus, creativity and teamwork

Here we present some common financing options. For detailed information, please contact the relevant websites and advice centres.

  • EXIST: A programme of the BMWK to promote start-ups from science. Supports highly innovative start-ups with start-up grants and research transfer. The Viadrina Start-up Service supports you with the application process.
  • Business Plan Competition Berlin-Brandenburg (BPW): Prize money of over €50,000 for the best start-up concept. Offers support through free workshops and a large network.
    • Gründung innovativ 2022: A grant programme of the ILB to support innovative and socially innovative companies. Grants between €25,000 and €150,000. The funding guideline runs until 30 June 2027.
  • Business Angels Berlin-Brandenburg (BACB): Supports start-ups with capital, expertise and networks.
  • Crowdinvesting & Crowdfunding: Acquisition of capital via online platforms. Further information can be found at Founder platform.
  • Funding programmes of the European Union: Various financing and funding options for founders and entrepreneurs.
    • You can find more funding and competitions here

    Persons without German citizenship who wish to set up a business or become self-employed after completing their studies must contact the relevant immigration authority. With a positively assessed business plan, it is possible to obtain a visa to start up or become self-employed. The Viadrina Start-up Service will be happy to advise you on the preparation of business plans.

    ðﾟﾑﾉ The start-up platform's guide to authorities: All important offices at a glance

    ðﾟﾑﾉ Founding a business in Brandenburg: Everything you need to start a business in Brandenburg

    ðﾟﾑﾉ wir-gruenden-in-deutschland.de: Information & tips in 13 languages for founders from Germany and abroad - from visa to business plan.

    ðﾟﾑﾉ make-it-in-germany.com: The German government's multilingual portal for international skilled workers and female founders.

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    Start-up service