On October 10, 2024, the START Rhein-Neckar start-up fair celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special after-work event on the campus of the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU). From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the event offered those interested in founding a company, start-ups, young entrepreneurs, the self-employed and students from the region a unique opportunity to gather information, receive advice and make valuable contacts.
Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller, President of HWG LU, opened the event in the university's new Campus C building together with Peter Johann, Managing Director of metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar GmbH, and Klaus Dillinger, Managing Director of W.E.G WirtschaftsEntwicklungsGesellschaft Ludwigshafen am Rhein mbH. This year, HWG LU was not only the host but also an important location partner, emphasizing the university's role as a central contact point for start-up initiatives and innovation in the region.
START Rhein-Neckar 2024's wide range of offerings included numerous information stands and advisory services from around 30 associations, chambers, networks, business development agencies and companies. The university's start-up office was also represented with a stand and was on hand to provide interested parties with advice and support on all aspects of starting a business.
Participants were able to find out about topics such as female entrepreneurship, digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), nutrition and health as well as funding, financing, taxes and business succession. A special highlight was the business talk with Daniela Lange, founder of the company Japanista and OAI graduate of HWG Ludwigshafen. She returned to her alma mater to talk about her experiences as an entrepreneur and the topic of female entrepreneurship and to encourage discussion with the participants.
The program was complemented by interactive business model canvas sessions. Master's degree programs in International Human Resources Management and Innovation Management at HWG LU, led by Professor Christina Stadler, helped those interested in founding a company to further develop their business ideas and discuss them together. This practical support from students illustrated the close links between the university and the start-up scene and its commitment to promoting the spirit of innovation in the region.
The 25th edition of START Rhine-Neckar at the HWG LU thus not only offered valuable insights into the world of business start-ups, but also underlined the importance of the university as a source of inspiration for young founders in the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar.
