Company Profile: hike – Hochschulinkubator Nordhausen

Background

hike – Hochschulinkubator Nordhausen is the startup incubator of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, established in June 2020. Its mission is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting students and staff in transforming their ideas into viable startups. The incubator aims to stimulate economic growth in Northern Thuringia by nurturing a culture of innovation within the university and the broader community.

Key Strategic Focus

hike focuses on:

Support Programs: Offering initiatives like the Incubation Program and EXIST, providing consulting and financial assistance to startups.

Innovation Workshops: Conducting events that promote creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.

Resource Provision: Supplying tools, methodologies, and workshop spaces to facilitate idea implementation.

AI Training and Consulting: Delivering specialized training and consulting services in artificial intelligence.

University-Industry Collaboration: Connecting students with companies to develop innovative solutions, exemplified by events like the HIKEathon.

Financials and Funding

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the StartUpLab@FH program. Initially set to run until May 2024 with a budget of approximately €1.8 million, the project duration has been extended to December 2025, increasing the total budget to around €2.2 million.

Pipeline Development

Since its inception, hike has achieved significant milestones:

Participation: Over 1,000 individuals have attended hike events.

Startup Support: More than 25 startup projects have been supported.

Company Formation: Five startups have emerged from hike's activities.

Technological Platform and Innovation

hike distinguishes itself through:

Prototyping Support: Assisting in the creation of prototypes and business models via programs like the HIKEathon, Prototyping Challenge, and Incubation Program.

AI Integration: Offering AI workshops and consulting to equip startups with cutting-edge technological capabilities.

Design Thinking Methodology: Employing design thinking to foster user-centric innovation and problem-solving.

Leadership Team

Prof. Dr. Lutz Göcke: Professor for Digital Product Management and project lead. He played a pivotal role in securing funding for hike and has been instrumental in its strategic direction.

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Peter Neitzke: Professor for Automation Systems and project lead.

Dr. Kareen Schlangen: Lecturer in Marketing and Innovation, serving as project lead.

Thomas Herwig: Lab Operations Manager, ensuring smooth project operations and regional outreach.

Christian Zoll: Venture Developer, coordinating the incubation program and assisting in market analysis and business model development.

Jonas Mielke: Engineer, aiding in prototype development.

Nina Eberhard: Design & Marketing specialist, supporting design, usability, and marketing efforts.

Leadership Changes

As of the latest available information, there have been no significant changes or appointments within hike's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

Thuringia ranks last among German states in terms of startups per 10,000 inhabitants, as of 2022. This underscores the critical need for initiatives like hike to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in the region.

Competitor Analysis

While specific competitors are not detailed, hike operates in a landscape with other university-affiliated incubators and regional startup support organizations. Its unique integration within Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and focus on AI and design thinking methodologies provide a competitive edge.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

hike collaborates with various network partners who serve as content, process, and transfer partners. These partners support hike through lectures, workshops, technology provision, and mentorship, enhancing the incubator's capacity to support startups.

Operational Insights

hike's strategic positioning within Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences allows it to leverage academic resources and talent effectively. Its emphasis on AI and design thinking methodologies differentiates it from other incubators, providing startups with advanced tools and approaches to innovation.