inspired.
inspired.
We congratulate all winning teams in the 2026 inspired ideas competition, which was held on the 8th of june in the Pomeranian state museum!
Apply coming spring with your idea!
From Idea to Startup in Greifswald.
The “inspired” ideas competition supports students, researchers, and alumni of the University of Greifswald—as well as anyone outside the research institutes—in developing a startup idea all the way through to launching a company, by providing coaching, networking opportunities, and spaces for experimentation, so that your research, project, or idea can become a viable business concept.
Start of the application period
The competition really gets underway every year during the summer semester; that’s when you can submit your concept proposal.
Our Workshop Series
In the optional Fit2Start workshop series, you’ll learn everything you need to know—from the ground up—to create a concept sketch.
Submission of the Concept Outline
To enter the contest, you must submit your concept outline. You can register and download the template through our application portal.
Jury Session and Awards Ceremony
The ideas will be presented at the jury meeting, and the evening will continue with the awards ceremony. There, the highest-rated ideas will be honored and the prizes awarded.
Starting a business is complex. It's even harder to do it alone.
No Clarity in the Start-up Jungle
Many people know about funding programs, legal structures, or financing options only through hearsay and lose momentum along the way.
During your time in the competition and in the Fit2Start workshop, you’ll learn how to further develop your idea. Even after the competition, we’ll continue to support you with advice and assistance.
Good ideas stay on the drawing board
Research findings, project work, or extracurricular involvement during college often have great potential, but rarely make the leap into real-world application.
In our competition, you can test and experiment with your startup idea without any prior experience. You’ll get structure, but above all, feedback—without the pressure of having to launch a startup right away.
Lack of Contacts
Without access to mentors, investors, and companies, you’ll lack feedback and your first customers.
We’re one of the leading players in the startup scene in Vorpommern. We can help you build a stronger network for your project. Plus, at our workshops, you’ll meet other “starters” and can build your own network.
No money, no action
Without proper financing, it's impossible to build a business.
We help you by connecting you with investors and supporting you in creating realistic plans for financing your idea.
inspired brings together ideas, knowledge, and execution.
We'll help you refine your startup idea, develop a business model, and take the next steps—in a structured, practical way that's tailored to your idea. We've already proven this in the past with
What our participants asked us before
submitting their applications.
We’ve helped more than 260 teams test the waters,
grow, and refine their ideas.
Who can enter?
Students, researchers, and alumni of the University of Greifswald
Employees of non-university research institutes in and around Greifswald (FLI, INP, HIOH, IPP)
Interested individuals with an innovative business idea in the environmental, economic, and/or social sectors who reside in Greifswald or the Vorpommern-Greifswald district
You can participate in the competition as an individual or as part of a team. If you are a team, at least one team member must meet the following requirements:
- The business must not yet have been formally established based on the submitted business idea at the time of registration for the competition.
- The idea must have been developed independently by the participants and must not infringe on the rights of third parties.
- Multiple people may participate as a team.
- Ideas may, for example, be further developed in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams.
- Participation is confidential; that is, jury members sign a non-disclosure agreement. The participants’ personal data and competition entries will be treated confidentially by the organizer and will not be disclosed to unauthorized third parties.
- Upon prior agreement, participants agree to present their idea as part of the awards ceremony and to participate in public relations activities.
- Participants also consent to the publication of the images and video recordings they create as part of the awards ceremony.
- Contest participants are obligated to ensure that the data provided to them is treated confidentially. In particular, they are prohibited from disclosing personal or other sensitive data of other participating teams to third parties without the consent of those teams.
- Participation in the contest constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth herein.
- The decisions made by the jury are final.
- Legal recourse is excluded.
What kinds of ideas can I submit, and what stage should my idea be at?
Whether your idea is already fully developed, you’re still in the early stages, or you don’t have an idea at all—you can participate in the competition at any stage. If your idea isn’t fully developed yet or you don’t have one, the Fit2Start workshop series will help you further develop your idea and create a concept outline. You can also join a team here if you don’t have your own idea. We’re also happy to help you develop your idea outside of the workshops—just get in touch with us!
Will my idea be kept confidential?
All ideas, concepts, and documents you submit will be treated as strictly confidential.
The jury consists of a very limited group of individuals who are contractually bound to maintain confidentiality, and no one who is not bound by this confidentiality agreement will learn of your idea.
Participation in the competition and the internal evaluation of your idea do not establish a prior art within the meaning of patent and utility model law.
Do I have to be on a team, or can I compete on my own?
You don’t need to have a team to enter the competition. You can participate entirely on your own, but you also have the opportunity to find team members through the Fit2Start workshop series. You can also reach out to us—maybe we have a suitable team member in mind.
When can I apply?
You’ll find the registration form under “Ideas.” It also lists the deadline for applications.
What are the evaluation criteria?
The evaluation process consists of several stages.
In Phase 1, the applications are not yet evaluated definitively; instead, a preliminary selection is made for the next phases.
Only Phase 2 and Phase 3—that is, the written concept outlines and the pitch to the jury—are included in the jury’s final evaluation. The jury members submit their evaluations of the concept outlines to us prior to the jury meeting; therefore, the pitch has no subsequent impact on this part of the evaluation.
The evaluation categories for the written evaluation are (50% of the total score):
- Innovation/Originality
- Market potential/Commercialization prospects
- Customer benefit
- Likelihood of implementation/Feasibility
- Motivation/Skills of the founder or the team
- Regional significance/Impact on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (only factored into the evaluation in the event of a tie)
The following categories are evaluated during the pitch to the jury:
- Presentation (10% of the total score)
- Discussion (30% of the total score)
- Entrepreneurial Personality/Motivation (10% of the total score)
Will I receive support during the competition phase?
Yes, the team behind the inspired ideas competition is available to answer your questions and provide guidance throughout the entire competition. We’ll support you in developing your idea and concept, provide feedback on your idea outline, and help you with your business model. Since we’re not part of the judging panel, we can offer you personalized and independent guidance. Contact us by email at: inspired@witeno.de—or you can reach out directly to someone on our team.
What kinds of awards and support are available?
In reality, the connections, the community, and the expertise are the real rewards of the competition, but we also provide financial support for the three highest-rated ideas so you can get them off the ground. The prize money is funded by our sponsors. The amount varies, with up to €2,000 for first place. In recent years, there have also been special prizes—in the form of services—worth up to €10,000, also provided by our sponsors.
What's next for me after the competition?
The idea competition is held at several university campuses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The winners (excluding special prizes) of the competition have another opportunity to participate in the statewide “Inspired” idea competition and present their idea once again to a panel of experts. There are also numerous prizes to be won here. In addition, the winners from all locations are invited to Rock-it Week—a five-day intensive workshop—in Rostock and to the Berlin Valley Tour.
You can find more information here.
Your idea didn’t win a prize, but you still want to keep going? Great! Although there are only three prize-winning spots in each category, that doesn’t mean only three of the ideas can be brought to life! That’s why we’ll remain your point of contact even after the competition and support you as needed with further development, your business plan, networking, or grant applications.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at inspired@witeno.de.
Thank you
to our donors, sponsors, and supporters in 2026
