The garage33 in plain language
garage33 wants to help people with good ideas.
garage33 supports you in turning an idea into a real project.
Why is this text available in plain language?
Texts in plain language are easier to read for everyone.
They are particularly helpful:
- People with learning difficulties,
- People who do not speak German as their mother tongue,
- and people who cannot understand difficult texts well.
The text says:
- What is the garage33?
- What does garage33 do?
- What does garage33 offer?
What is the garage33?
garage33 is a center for start-ups at Paderborn University.
A start-up is a new company with a special idea.
The garage33 will help you:
- to found a company,
- develop new products,
- to try out modern technology,
- and make your ideas known.
You will also often see the name TECUP.
TECUP and garage33 belong together and offer you the same deals.
What does garage33 do?
garage33 has many offers for start-ups. Here you will find an overview of what garage33 has to offer. All offers are free of charge.
Start-up coaching
What is it?
Start-up coaching means that experts help you set up your company.
These experts are called coaches.
That's what the coaches do:
- Make your idea better and clearer.
- Create a plan for your company.
- Help you to get a scholarship.
A scholarship is money that you receive for your idea.
You can find more information here: www.garage33.de/coaching
Maker Space
The Maker Space is a room with lots of equipment and machines. The space belongs to garage33 and is located at the Start-up Campus OWL.
What is a prototype?
You can build prototypes in the Maker Space.
A prototype is an initial model or draft of an idea.
This means:
- You have an idea for a product, but you're not sure whether it will work.
- You build a model to test the idea and find out how it works in reality.
- The model shows how the product could later look or function.
A prototype can be, for example:
- A paper car to test the shape.
- A simple computer to test a new function.
- A toy made of wood before it is later made of plastic.
With a prototype you can:
- Find and improve errors.
- Convince others of your idea.
- Check whether your idea works well.
Important: A prototype is not the finished product. It is a first test to make your idea better.
What is available in the Maker Space?
There are seven workshops with various devices in the Maker Space.
Examples of devices that you can use in the Maker Space:
- 3D printer: You can use a 3D printer to print small models out of plastic. A 3D print is an object that is shaped in all dimensions, for example a cup or a model part.
- Laser cutter: You can use a laser cutter to precisely cut materials such as wood, plastic or metal.
- Electronic tools: For example, devices for soldering to make electrical connections.
- CNC milling: Machines that allow you to process precise parts made of wood or metal.
- Robots and programming tools: You can learn to program robots and develop new functions.
- Cutting rooms: For working with fabrics or other soft materials.
How can you use the Maker Space?
You can use the Maker Space if you have an idea for a start-up or want to build a prototype.
Before you can use the Maker Space, you must receive instruction. This introduction is called onboarding. During onboarding, you will learn how to use the devices safely.
There are also workshops where you can learn how to use the machines. These workshops are called Maker Workshops.
In the Maker Workshops you will learn:
- How to operate a machine safely and correctly.
- How to use the right tools and materials for your prototype.
Further information
All information about the Maker Space, the dates for onboarding and the Maker Workshops can be found here:
www.garage33.de/maker-space
Qualification programs
If you want to found a start-up, it's good to know innovation methods. Innovation methods are methods that help you plan your business model. A business model is important in order to earn money with your idea.
The garage33 has programs that support you in planning your business model.
A program is a course with one or more workshops. Some programs last several months.
There are different programs, depending on how long you have been working on your idea.
Find your Idea
If you don't yet have an idea for a start-up, you can take part in the "Find your Idea" workshop. In the workshop, you will learn how to develop your own idea for a start-up.
Incubator Program
The Incubator Program is for the beginning of your start-up.
Here you get help to test and further develop your business idea.
This is what you will learn in the program:
- How does your idea work in the real world?
- What do your customers really want?
- What tools help you to build your company?
This is what you get:
- Contacts to people who can support you (e.g. investors).
Aim of the program:
- Your idea has been tested and improved.
- You have your first customers and your first income.
- Your company is ready to grow.
Accelerator Program
The Accelerator Program is for start-ups that are already a little further along.
Here you will learn how to grow your company quickly.
This is what you will learn in the program:
- How do I find the right price for my product?
- How do I make a good financial plan?
- How do I convince investors to give me money?
This is what you get:
- Personal advice from experts.
- Courses that exactly match your questions.
Aim of the program:
- Your product is perfect for customers.
- You have a pricing model that works.
- Your company is ready for the next big step.
Events
garage33 regularly organizes events. An event is an event.
At the events you can:
- get to know other founders,
- present your ideas,
- or learn more about start-ups.
You can find all events here: www.garage33.de/events
Who is garage33 for?
garage33 is for all people with innovative ideas for a company. The word innovation means doing something new and special.
An innovation can be:
- A new product: for example, a cell phone that can do things that didn't exist before.
- A new idea: for example, a new way of solving problems.
- New technology: for example, machines that work faster and better.
Innovation means:
- You have an idea.
- You turn the idea into something that helps a lot of people.
Examples of innovations:
- The first car was an innovation. Before that, there were only horse-drawn carriages.
- The Internet is an innovation. It makes information quickly accessible.
Innovation often makes life easier, faster or better.
garage33 is part of Paderborn University. There are students and researchers at Paderborn University. Students and researchers at Paderborn University can use the services offered by garage33.
Where can you find garage33?
garage33 is located at the Start-up Campus OWL in Paderborn. The address is: Ausblick 1.
You can find all garage33 offers on the website:
www.garage33.de
