StarS Kader | Start-up Incubator
Focusing on your business idea
The StarS programme is the German Sport University Cologne’s own incubator and supports potential entrepreneurs with ideas relating to sport, physical activity or health on their path to self-employment. Through workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions, you’ll develop your specialist skills and receive support with applying for grants or follow-on funding.
The StarS Squad runs once a year and consists of a comprehensive programme: from the very basics right through to a start-up idea ready for pitching.
Three objectives
- Empowerment
Participation in the StarS programme is designed to provide participants with further training across all relevant aspects of a business plan and to empower them to turn their start-up idea into reality.
- Support with implementation
Naturally, the start-up teams should not have to navigate the journey from idea to launch on their own: qualified coaches and mentors are on hand to support the teams at all times.
- Fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing
The StarS programme is designed to make it easier for those interested in starting a business to exchange ideas and network with Cologne’s start-up scene.
And this is how it works...
1. Getting started with your start-up
Basecamp
At Basecamp, you’ll gain a grounding in start-up knowledge – with no prior knowledge required. Together with other teams in the cohort, you’ll work on your idea, formulate a clear mission statement and create a Business Model Canvas.
The content is delivered through interactive workshops and self-study modules. Finally, you’ll present your idea at a joint event and receive valuable initial feedback from experts.
2. From idea to start-up readiness
Journey Mapping
Here, you’ll further develop your idea and prepare specifically for setting up your own business. You’ll learn more about product development, pricing and target audiences. You’ll also test your idea in the ‘field’ and validate it using methods from project management and market research. Through a range of workshops covering everything from marketing and legal structures to professional stage coaching, you’ll prepare step by step for your pitch. The programme culminates in our major pitch event, ‘On your marks, get set – PITCH!’, where you’ll present your idea to a jury of experts and the audience.
Entry requirements and application
- A knowledge-based, innovative and scalable business idea relating to sport, exercise and health
- At least one team member must have a connection to the German Sport University Cologne or another Gateway university (University of Cologne, Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Cologne Business School or Rheinische Hochschule Köln), e.g. as a student, researcher, graduate or staff member
- You are committed to working intensively on your start-up for around 4 months
Are you interested?
Then apply by emailing a brief outline of your idea to starskader@dshs-koeln.de.
You can apply individually or as a team. You’ll find a checklist in the FAQs to help guide you through the process. Alternatively, take part in the DSHS Ideathlon and receive an application waiver. We’ll also invite all applicants to a brief face-to-face interview to get to know you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch at any time.
The application period for the StarS Squad 2026 has now closed.
Contact
Gateway Start-up Service at the German Sport University Cologne
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Transfer & Start-up Department
Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6
50933 CologneInstitute Building III on the Spoho Campus
FAQ
Your concept outline should be no more than three pages long.
Here is a checklist of what your concept outline should include:
Problem-Solution Fit
- What problem or need have you identified?
- How did you identify the problem?
- Who has the problem, and when?
- How do you solve the problem?
- How can your solution be described in concrete terms?
- What comparable competing products are there?
- How do you differentiate yourself?
- Does your market have any distinctive features? (e.g. seasonal
- market)
- How do you intend to make money from your idea?
Team & Organisation
- Who is working on the project?
- What skills do you bring to the table?
- What expertise are you lacking?
Innovation & IP
- Are there any existing intellectual property rights? Are any intellectual property rights planned?
- How does your idea relate (potentially) to
- scientific community?
- Who are the potential scientific
- contacts at the university (FIS)?
Start-ups founded by more than one person are significantly more successful. Even if you’re currently on your own but have a clear aim to find other co-founders, you’re generally eligible to take part in the incubator.
Finding co-founders will then be one of the objectives in your target agreement with your personal start-up coach.
The workshops and events usually take place on the Spoho campus. As the programme is officially run by the Gateway Universities in Cologne (Spoho, the University of Cologne, Cologne University of Applied Sciences, RH and CBS), events may occasionally take place at those institutions as well.
No, participation is free of charge for all team members. However, you are required to attend 80 per cent of the compulsory sessions.
If you fail to comply with the participation agreement, you may be excluded from the programme.
Nein, es reicht wenn der Bezug zu einer Hochschule mit einem Gateway-Gründungsservice (Universität zu Köln, TH Köln, Rheinische Hochschule Köln, Sporthochschule, CBS International Business School) über eine Person im Team hergestellt ist.
