Accelerator
Programs that help startups grow rapidly through coaching, mentoring, and resources.

Agile Work
A flexible, iterative approach for quickly adapting to changes—e.g., using Scrum or Kanban.

Angel Investor
A private investor who provides early-stage financial support to startups.

Bootstrapping
Starting a business without external financing—using one’s own funds.

Break-Even Point
The point at which revenue covers costs.

Business Model
A description of how a company creates value and generates revenue.

Business Model Canvas
A tool for structuring business models consisting of nine components.

Business Plan
A detailed written outline of a startup idea, including market analysis, strategy, and financing.

Business Succession
The transfer of a business to new leaders.

Canvas Models
Visual templates for business model development (e.g., Business Model Canvas, Lean Canvas).

Co-Creation
Joint idea development with users or partners.

Competitive Analysis
Comparison with competitors for strategy development.

Cost-Effectiveness
The relationship between costs, benefits, and returns.

Crowdfunding
Funding from many supporters via online platforms.

Customer Journey
The path customers take from initial awareness to purchase.

Customer Segment
Individuals or organizations for whom the offering is developed.

Design Thinking
A user-centered approach to creative problem-solving.

Due Diligence
A thorough review of a company or project, such as during the investment process.

Disruption
Innovations that fundamentally transform existing markets.

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial thinking and action, as well as the implementation of new ideas.

exist Funding
Federal programs to support innovative startups originating from universities.

Elevator Pitch
A brief presentation of an idea in 30–60 seconds.

Funding
Public financial support for startup projects.

Financing Round
A planned investment phase for raising capital.

Foundations of Specialized and University-Based Startups
Startups that emerge from the university environment.

Funding
Public financial support for startup projects.

Future Trends
Developments with long-term market relevance.

Go-to-Market Strategy
A plan for successfully launching a product on the market.

Hypothesis-Driven Development
Testing assumptions to quickly validate ideas.

High-Level Transfer
Translating research findings into economic or societal applications.

Intrapreneurship
Entrepreneurial activity within existing organizations.

Innovation
A novel solution that creates relevant added value.

Intellectual Property (IP)
Property rights such as patents, trademarks, or designs.

Joint Venture
A joint venture between two or more partners.

Jury Pitch
A short presentation given as part of a competition or funding program.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Key metrics used to measure success.

Lean Startup
A method for rapid, cost-effective product development.

Licensing
The granting of usage rights in exchange for a fee.

Lifecycle
The life cycle of a product, from its introduction to its decline.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
A minimal product version for early user testing.

Market Analysis
Assessment of market size, competition, and target audiences.

Mentoring
Guidance from experienced experts.

Network
Maintaining contacts to support knowledge transfer, funding, and collaboration.

Needs Assessment
Analysis of a target group’s needs to facilitate user-centered idea development.

Open Innovation
Involving external partners in innovation processes.

One-Pager
A concise presentation of an idea on a single page.

Prototyping
Creating early models for functional and user testing.

Pitch Deck
A structured presentation of the key aspects of a business model.

Quick Wins
Improvements or successes in the project that can be achieved quickly.

Revenue Streams
Sources of revenue in a business model.

Rollout
Market launch or expansion of a product or service.

Scaling
Planned growth of a business model.

Skill Development
Building entrepreneurial skills through training, workshops, and mentoring.

Stakeholders
Individuals or groups affected by a project.

Startup Ecosystem
A network of universities, investors, institutions, and funding partners.

Sustainable Business Models
Models that combine economic, environmental, and social aspects.

SWOT Analysis
Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Team Competence
The ability to collaborate productively within the startup team.

Technology Transfer
The translation of scientific findings into practical applications.

Target Audience
People or organizations for whom a product or service is being developed.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
A feature that clearly distinguishes an offering from the competition.

User Testing
Gathering user feedback to improve a product.

Validation
Verification of key assumptions underlying the startup idea.

Value Proposition
The benefits a product or service offers.

Venture Capital
Funding for startups with strong growth potential.