HNX Your Way to Start Up
Your Team for Business Start-Ups at the HSNR

Hochschule Niederrhein. Your way.
  1. Home
  2. Students
  3. Counseling for students
  4. start-up advice
Group photo in the StartUpLab

HNX - Your Start-Up Counselling at the HSNR

Do you have an idea or want to realise your own projects? HNX supports you on your way from the first sketch to the start-up.


Whether you are studying, teaching, researching or employed at the university, we will support you with workshops, personalised advice, tips on funding opportunities and a strong network.
Our goal is to work with you to establish a vibrant start-up culture at Hochschule Niederrhein that is open, practical and bold.


Curious? Then come along, ask your questions and get started right away.

Your Contact to HNX

E-Mail: hnx(at)hs-niederrhein.de
Phone: 02161 1863560
⚲ Our location

Latest News

Gründungswoche Niederrhein 2025

The Gründungswoche Niederrhein will take place from 17 to 23 November 2025 and offers a variety of formats for anyone interested in start-ups,…

Read more »
Gründungsmesse Niederrhein - HNX showcases the region's start-up potential

On 6 November, together with the Gründungsfabrik Mönchengladbach, we hosted the Gründungsmesse Niederrhein in the Textile Academy right next to the…

Read more »

Our Offers for your Start-Up Journey

Counselling & Coaching

We offer free advice on all questions relating to start-ups - personalised, confidential and practical. Regardless of whether you want to develop your own idea, try it out or even develop a market-ready business model.

You will receive expert support from our HNX StartUp coaches

Contact »
Knowledge & Workshops

Do you want to find out more about start-ups, business models or funding opportunities? In our workshops, you will receive practical expertise on all aspects of founding a company in an understandable, compact and directly applicable way.
 

Take a look at our calendar and discover what's coming up next.

Events »
StartUpLab

You will find our HNX StartUpLab on campus in Mönchengladbach - a creative meeting place for all those interested in starting a business. Students from various disciplines come together here to exchange ideas, work on projects or network with exciting people from research and practice. Another lab is being planned for the Krefeld site.

Our Location »
Networking & Inspiration

Get to know the startup ecosystem of the university and the region - at HNX events you can meet like-minded people, potential co-founders or experts in your field.

A good first port of call is our start-up round table, HNX Connect

- uncomplicated, open and ideal for networking and exchanging ideas.

You can find the next dates in our calendar.

 

HNX Network »
Entrepreneurship Education

We support lecturers in integrating entrepreneurship and start-up-related content more strongly into teaching education. This is not just about start-up knowledge, but also about future skills such as creativity, personal responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking.

Whether individual teaching content or new (interdisciplinary) modules: We offer specialist input, methods, coaching and create exchange formats for lecturers at The Hochschule Niederrhein.

FAQ

What does HNX actually stand for?

  • HNX is the abbreviation for Hochschule Niederrhein and X. The "X" symbolises the steps that need to be taken in the start-up process and also stands for our fields of activity: Excite (sensitise), Experience (qualify) and Exist (exist).

Can I get advice even if I don't have a concrete idea yet?

  • Yes, of course. Even if you don't have a clear idea yet, we will support you. We will help you to organise your initial thoughts, develop new perspectives and show you creative techniques that can take you further.

Does counselling at HNX cost anything?

  • No, our counselling is completely free of charge.

Who can use the HNX counselling service? Only students?

  • Not just students! Employees, lecturers and researchers at The Hochschule Niederrhein can also use our counselling services.

How does a counselling session work? Do I need to prepare anything?

  • You don't need to prepare anything for the first counselling session. We will look together at where you currently stand and what the next steps could be for you.

What happens to my idea - is it confidential with you?

  • Yes, of course. The protection of your idea is very important to us, and everything you discuss with us remains confidential.

What can I expect at Coffee Hour?

  • Coffee Hour is an informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere. You can exchange ideas with others, ask questions and meet new people.

How can I take part in the free workshops or events?

  • Just take a look at our event calendar. There you will find all the dates and can register directly using the contact form.

I would like to incorporate entrepreneurship into my teaching education - can HNX support me?

  • Yes, very gladly. Just get in touch with Judith Collier - she is the right contact person for all questions relating to entrepreneurship in teaching education.

exist-Women @HNX 2026

The Hochschule Niederrhein is once again launching the EXIST-Women funding programme in 2026, which supports women interested in starting their own business with workshops, mentoring and coaching.

The programme is primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at women with a connection to The Hochschule Niederrhein: graduates, academics, students who have completed at least half of their bachelor's degree, as well as women with a professional qualification and a connection to The Hochschule Niederrhein.

A concrete idea is not absolutely necessary. The focus is on motivation, creativity and the desire to develop something of one's own.

Note: The application deadline for EXIST-Women 2026 has ended. Unfortunately, applications are no longer possible.

Further Information on Funding

KickStart@HSNR

Do you have an idea in mind and want to finally try it out to see if it can become something more? With KickStart@HSNR, HNX supports students and members of the Hochschule Niederrhein in realising innovative projects in the early stages.

Funding of up to 7,500 euros is available for this, for example for materials, prototypes, software or special services.

The aim is to develop your idea step by step and pave the way for your start-up.

Applications can be submitted at any time, a short consultation with the HNX team is required in advance.

 

 

 

Further information on Funding

Event Overview

< June 2027 >
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
31
31.05.2027
01
01.06.2027
02
02.06.2027
03
03.06.2027
04
04.06.2027
05
05.06.2027
06
06.06.2027
07
07.06.2027
08
08.06.2027
09
09.06.2027
10
10.06.2027
11
11.06.2027
12
12.06.2027
13
13.06.2027
14
14.06.2027
15
15.06.2027
16
16.06.2027
17
17.06.2027
18
18.06.2027
19
19.06.2027
20
20.06.2027
21
21.06.2027
22
22.06.2027
23
23.06.2027
24
24.06.2027
25
25.06.2027
26
26.06.2027
27
27.06.2027
28
28.06.2027
29
29.06.2027
30
30.06.2027
01
01.07.2027
02
02.07.2027
03
03.07.2027
04
04.07.2027
Stefanie Kutsch

Project management

Stefanie manages the project and is committed to a lively start-up culture at the university.

She has a lot of counselling experience and is well networked both inside and outside the university.

e-mail »
Carola Lobemeier

Event and Community Manager

Carola contributes her strengths in organisation and event planning and maintains the contacts in our HNX network

With her eye for detail and her open manner, she ensures that projects are implemented smoothly and that our events are a complete success.

e-mail »
Sylvia Sandmann

Event and Community Manager

Sylvia is a true organisational talent and has an excellent network at the university.

She supports the team in many areas and contributes to achieving common goals with joy, commitment and passion.

e-mail »
Judith Collier

Expert for entrepreneurship and education

Judith is particularly involved in teaching education and brings the topic of start-ups into various formats at the university.

With a great deal of enthusiasm and a flair for good ideas, she inspires students to develop and implement their own projects.

e-mail »
Vivian Sommer

StartUp Coach

Vivian combines expertise in marketing and project management with a master's degree in business psychology and is able to put herself in the shoes of prospective founders. As a passionate fashion designer, competitive athlete and globetrotter, she inspires with creative impulses and provides sensitive support in successfully implementing ideas.

e-mail »
Stefan Odrowski

StartUp Coach

Stefan became a founder himself during his studies and is still a passionate content creator on YouTube today. His strengths therefore include not only a great affinity for digital topics, but also the ability to empathise with the realities of life of students interested in founding a company at eye level

e-mail »
Stephanie Bienefeld

Managing Director of Launchcenter Lebensmittel, mentor

You can talk to Steffi about new ideas and strategies. As a passionate food expert, she creates spaces for innovation and uses her market intuition and passion to pull out all the stops - for her team, knowledge transfer for companies and individual support for stakeholders. Creative and realisable solutions are her hobbyhorse!

e-mail »
Nina
Nina Hauptmann

Funding officer

Nina supports you in your search for suitable funding for your innovative start-ups. With acumen and meticulousness, she keeps track of the funding requirements and guides you through the jungle of application forms.

e-mail »
HNX StartUpLab

Our HNX StartUpLab on the Mönchengladbach campus is a meeting place for all members of the university. Students and staff can use our modern work and meeting rooms to develop their own ideas, try them out and develop them into competitive business models. The rooms are equipped with conference screens, whiteboards and creative materials.

 

The lab is open from Monday to Friday.

For room bookings, please contact us at: hnx(at)hs-niederrhein.de

 

 

⚲ 2nd floor in the K building, Campus MG, Rheydter Straße 291

Further Founders

Quest of Gelduba - The mobile idea game from HNX

Embark on a fantasy adventure in which you playfully learn everything you need to know about brainstorming, creativity and the path to founding a company.

Slip into the role of a magician's apprentice, master craftsperson in exciting mini-games and discover what you're really made of.

Perfect for anyone who wants to learn new things in a fun way and develop their own ideas.

Click here to go to Gelduba

Here is a YouTube video. Click on it to watch. The data protection regulations of google apply!
HNX Network: Partnerships for a Start-Up Culture
Strong Together!

The great importance of a strong network as a breeding ground for a successful start-up culture in our region cannot be emphasised enough. In today's globalised world, where innovation and entrepreneurship are becoming increasingly important, regional networks are crucial to encourage and support start-ups. Many regional players recognise this and, for example, organise events together with HNX to sponsor the start-ups of tomorrow.

 

A strong network offers a variety of benefits for budding entrepreneurs and young start-ups. By networking with companies, mentors, investors and other supporters, founders receive valuable feedback and the support that is crucial for their growth. The efforts of our HNX networkers help to boost the economy, create jobs and strengthen the innovative power of the region.

 

The HNX team is always happy to enter into new collaborations and exchange ideas with other companies that are also pursuing the goal of promoting start-ups. Don't see yourself here and would like to be part of the HNX network?

Please send us a message: hnx(at)hs-niederrhein.de

HNX- your way to start up! - is the team for start-ups and entrepreneurship at The Hochschule Niederrhein. We are currently funded by the federal sponsorship projects GetUp_MeetUp_StartUp! in the StartUpLab@FH and Exist-Women sponsor lines

EXIST-Women

Funding body

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection

Project management

Vice President Department II Research and Transfer

Professor Dr Kathleen Diener

GetUp_MeetUp_StartUp!

Funding organisation

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

Project management and organisational anchoring

Vice President Department I Studies and Teaching Education

Professor Dr Gudrun Stockmanns

Operational project management: Stefanie Kutsch

Logo 50Jahre HAW
Logo Che
Logo Familie in der Hochschule
Logo Diversity Audit
Logo Hochschulallianz
Logo Innovative Hochschule
Logo BMBF
Logo Gemeinsame Wissenschaftskonferenz
Consulting
Accessibility