Our team
Katharina Rother-Schönfeld
Bringing ideas to life and connecting people has always been a passion of mine. I’ve founded two businesses myself: Designkompass and the Gründerinnen Circle Braunschweig. That’s why I know from personal experience just how many questions, challenges and, at times, doubts come with setting up a business.
At Gründen@Ostfalia, I plan and organise our start-up events, such as the Start-up Lunch or the Barcamp. I’m also responsible for the website and all digital and print designs. I particularly enjoy bringing people together, making new connections and building networks that give rise to exciting ideas and collaborations.
Here’s how I can help:
- Design
- Visibility
- Community building
- Networking
- My own start-up experience
My tip for all start-up founders:
“You don’t have to be brilliant to get started, but you have to get started to become brilliant.”
Dagmar Wilgeroth
I am convinced that research findings and student research projects are often the starting point for excellent start-up ideas. At GRÜNDEN@OSTFALIA, I support students and researchers in discovering the hidden start-up potential within their work. My approach is practical: drawing on my experience in industry, from setting up my own business and from the university, we work together to determine how this start-up potential can be translated into an initial viable business model – supported by innovative canvas models and modern AI tools. This business model then forms a sound basis for decision-making as you continue on your path to self-employment.
I can be particularly helpful to you in the following areas:
- Transfer: From research projects and student research papers to start-up ideas
- Strategy: Idea development and building business models
- Knowledge: Start-up theory
- Innovation: AI in start-up consultancy
My tip for all start-up founders:
“Starting a business doesn’t begin with a business plan, but where people have the motivation to take that first step. GO FOR IT!”
Maximilian David Kuzaj
Balance, determination and integrity are my guiding principles. This applies equally to my personal, academic and professional life. As a business philosopher, I bring a slightly different perspective to the team. I quickly ask myself: Who stands to benefit from this idea, this offer, this product? Start-ups originating from the academic world often emerge as a response to this question.
At Gründen@Ostfalia, I look after our marketing and manage our public image – whether through our website, in one-to-one discussions at our events, or even on stage. After all, many of you already have clear ideas for start-ups stemming from your research and studies. But not everyone is aware of the support available at Ostfalia. This is exactly where I come in.
Here’s how I can support you:
- Website
- Marketing
- Trade fair events
- Podcasts
My tip for all start-up founders:
“Setbacks are part of the process. Just like with everything else.”
Frauke von Freeden
I’m particularly interested in ideas when they’re still a work in progress. When someone comes to us with an initial thought, a lot of enthusiasm or even a touch of doubt, I like to listen more closely.
At Gründe@Ostfalia, I develop and organise events and formats, design content and ensure that our initiatives not only take place but also reach the right people. Perhaps that’s why I’m best described as an ‘idea amplifier’: I take ideas on board, develop them further and help give them the shape and momentum they need to take the next step.
Here’s how I can support you:
- sorting through initial ideas and developing them further
- developing formats and events
- getting to the heart of the matter
- bringing people and perspectives together
- turning an idea into the next step
My tip for all start-up founders:
“An idea doesn’t have to be fully formed at the start. It just needs to be exciting enough for you to keep pursuing it.”
Burak Dönmez
My journey to Gründen@Ostfalia wasn’t a straightforward one: from my apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic at Volkswagen, through my technical training, to my Master’s degree, I’ve developed step by step. In between, I worked at Volkswagen and for an education start-up, and built up my own project, Brain Unveiled, which now has over 1,000 subscribers. From my own experience, I know just how many questions and challenges setting up a business entails.
At Gründen@Ostfalia, my focus is on grant advice: I support applications for EXIST and NBank start-up grants throughout the entire process, from the initial idea right through to the business launch. In addition, I also advise founders more generally on funding options for their start-ups.
Here’s how I can support you:
- Advice on funding (EXIST, NBank start-up grant)
- Developing business ideas
- My own start-up experience
My tip for all founders:
“Take that first, tiny step, because getting started counts for more than the perfect plan.”
Andrea L. Moysén Mason
I am convinced that successful start-up teams are not just the result of good ideas, but above all of the people who work together to bring them to life. I do not see differing perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences as an obstacle, but rather as one of the greatest strengths of innovative teams. My aim is to highlight this diversity and transform it into productive collaboration.
As a certified intercultural trainer and holder of a Master’s degree in Intercultural Business Communication, I have spent many years exploring how communication, trust and collaboration can succeed across cultural and professional boundaries.
Here’s how I can support you:
- Building and developing international and interdisciplinary start-up teams
- Intercultural communication and successful collaboration in diverse teams
- Team development, trust-building and constructive conflict resolution
- Networking with international partners and support with international collaborations
My tip for all start-up founders:
“A good business idea is important, but a strong team is crucial! Make a conscious effort to use diversity as a resource. Innovation arises where people listen to one another, learn from one another and grow together.”
Ready for your GO!?
Let’s take a look at your idea together and work out the next steps.
With no obligation, in an open-minded way, and starting exactly where you are right now.
A joint research funding programme run by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.