Startup Preschool Cologne

Startup Preschool is an interactive startup training program in English, created specifically for international entrepreneurs and aspiring founders in Cologne. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or developing your first business idea, our program gives you the tools and network to succeed.

This program is being offered in collaboration and support from Singa Deutschland, Startplatz, Gateway at University of Cologne, Startup Migrants, and Deutsche Postcode Lotterie

Who Is This For?

Startup Preschool is perfect for:

• International professionals wanting to transition from employment to entrepreneurship
• Recent immigrants and expats exploring business opportunities in Germany
• International students with a business idea they want to develop
• PhD students and researchers with research that can be commercialized into a startup
• Skilled migrants looking to leverage their expertise in a startup
• Anyone with an entrepreneurial spark—regardless of background or experience level

The program is open to both academic and non-academic aspiring entrepreneurs. No prior business experience is required. If you are curious about starting a company and want practical guidance in English, this program is for you.

What You'll Learn:

Business development: Transform your idea into a validated business model—from research to market

Founder insights: Hear real stories from successful startup founders who've built businesses in Germany

Legal and financial foundations: Understand company registration, taxation, and financial planning for startups in Germany

Funding opportunities: Discover grants, investors, and funding sources available to startups in NRW and Germany

Local start-up ecosystem: Navigate NRW's entrepreneurial community, incubators, and support networks

Actionable next steps: Get practical guidance on launching your startup and accessing resources in NRW