This year’s HPI Business Plan Competition has been very popular with HPI students and alumni. HPI-associated startup teams had until 24 April to register for participation in the competition, with 27 teams taking advantage of the offer. In 2014 it was 18 teams. Among the 82 individual participants registered, 31 are HPI PhDs, alumni or IT-systems engineering students; 17 are D-School graduates; and 34 are external participants. The first of the three feedback rounds will begin on 3 and 4 May. Here the 10 best teams will be selected and advance to the next round. In the third feedback round, taking place in July, the 3 best teams will be chosen for the finale in September. With a pitch in front of an expert jury, the entrepreneurs can win an HPI stipend, for up to three founders, with a maximum value of €50,000 (per person for one year €1,500); an investment offer from the HPI Seed Fund of €50,000 euros for up to 5% of the shares; the implementation of an HHL consulting project—which deals with the business-related issues of business students; and business coaching from the E-School for one year.
