Learning, networking, founding - everything is possible at the annual Thuringian start-up camp at the Hohenfelden reservoir.

At the beginning of this year's start-up camp, a keynote speech was given by the Thuringian Agency for Creative Industries. The focus was on finding the unique selling points of each start-up. Food for thought was given on the topic of "How do I position myself in Thuringia?" or "How do I set the right goals?".

The participants were then able to choose between two workshops. One was aimed at answering the following question: "Business idea: And then? Step by step to a successful start-up". Dr Kareen Schlangen, start-up consultant and lecturer at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, worked interactively with the founders to work out which steps need to be climbed on the stairway to a successful business start-up.

One important result was to recognise one's own business concept, to always keep an eye on it and to consider the balance between costs and values. As a business start-up consultant at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, she worked with the participants to develop various concepts on how a business idea can actually be turned into a company. Among the workshop participants were three women from Thuringia who already had a fully developed concept for their idea. The workshop helped them to draw up a to-do list for their next steps. They also used the start-up camp to find investors and partners for their project.

Theatre teacher Peter Przetak's workshop "Improvisation, gestures and communication" took place at the same time. With a lot of movement for body, mind and voice, he sharpened the senses of all founders in a completely new way and thus promoted their creativity. On a mental walk, the participants were able to take an intensive look at their company visions, goals and wishes. Peggy Seegy and Kristine Hennigs learnt from him how important it is to identify personally with your own company. They own Keedy GbR, which produces scarves and caps for bicycle helmets. Taking part in the 3rd Thuringian start-up camp enabled them to think outside the box and exchange ideas with others.

Following the two workshops, various start-up personalities from Thuringia introduced themselves at the start-up forum. Among them was André Lutze, a former student at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. Together with his business partner Marcus Rein, he succeeded in setting up the company Computerwerk LR GmbH within four years. Since then, he and his seven employees have been successfully selling customised PC systems for corporate and private customers.

Another start-up idea to emerge from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is that of Binaryguys.de GmbH. Behind this innovative company name are the former Nordhausen students Marcel Hardrath and Stephan Hasselbach. They launched their online sales organisation for fun products from the USA as a general partnership in 2011. In the meantime, the company has become a limited liability company and is realising their personal dream of developing extraordinary products themselves. The year 2014 will herald a change for the Binaryguys, but this is yet to be reported.

The third presentation of start-up activities at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences was the first of its kind at the GründerCamp - a social entrepreneurship event. This year saw the launch of the "Spuren hinterlassen" initiative. It is a joint initiative between students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and non-profit partners in the city of Nordhausen. Jonas Sterbenk is one of the three social entrepreneurs who launched this project in June 2013. His aim is to bring students into contact with charitable organisations at the beginning of their studies, to carry out voluntary work and thereby create value for the Nordhausen community. This initial impetus is to culminate in a social business, the concept of which Jonas Sterbenk is currently developing in his bachelor's thesis.

The Thuringian start-up camp appealed not only to entrepreneurs, but also to those interested in setting up their own business, such as student Marcel Simon. "I don't have a concrete idea yet, but thanks to today's event I was able to find some interesting ideas." In addition to many new visitors, Sebastian Risse, who was attending the GründerCamp for the third time, was also present. He is already pursuing his second start-up project and says: "This year there is the biggest mix among the participants. For this reason, I am looking forward to getting in touch with many creative people."

The Thuringian GründerCamp is an annual event that is organised in collaboration with BIC Nordthüringen GmbH, Technologie- und Gründer-Fördergesellschaft Schmalkalden/Dermbach GmbH and the Gera Technology and Start-up Centre, among others. "The GründerCamp will take place again next year to provide exciting impetus, enable broad networking and advance your own start-up path," said Dr Kareen Schlangen, co-organiser of the Thuringian GründerCamp.