START Global is a network for students that was founded in St. Gallen in 1996 and now operates at 22 locations across Europe and Latin America. Since 2023, there has also been a branch in Hamburg. In this interview, president Ted Bischoff explains the reasons for its founding and what the aims of the organisation are. This article is part of a series on startup communities in Hamburg.
Ted Bischoff is president of START Hamburg. © Hannah de Buhr
How did START Hamburg come about?
The starting point was the observation that there was no central location in Hamburg where students with an interest in entrepreneurship could easily come together, network with one another, exchange ideas and, at the same time, gain access to Hamburg’s startup ecosystem. START Hamburg was set up to bridge precisely this gap. The Hamburg branch became part of START Global and was thus integrated into an international network. This is intended not only to make it easier to enter the Hamburg startup ecosystem; members also gain the opportunity to build contacts beyond Hamburg and become part of an international entrepreneurship community.
The team of START Hamburg at Körber Start-Hub © START Hamburg
What are the aims of START Hamburg?
The main aim of START Hamburg is to serve as a network for entrepreneurial talent keen to play an active role in shaping Hamburg’s startup ecosystem. In doing so, we take a deliberately open approach. We aim to support both students who wish to set up their own startup and need contacts, knowledge and access to the ecosystem, and those who wish to get involved in other ways. Anyone wishing to contribute through events, projects, marketing, partnerships or other activities, and thus gain entrepreneurial experience, will also find a space for this at START Hamburg.
A key component of this is our self-service approach. Members should not simply take part in ready-made programmes, but should take the initiative as quickly as possible. START Hamburg therefore deliberately remains, to some extent, a startup in its own right: a testing ground where students can try out their own ideas, carry out projects and gain practical experience. This isn’t just about entrepreneurship in the traditional sense. Members also learn to take responsibility, work as part of a team, organise projects, engage with different stakeholders and develop confidence in their own work.
At the same time, START Hamburg has an international focus. The use of English as the common working language makes it easy for international students to engage with the community, whilst also offering all members the opportunity to develop their English language skills in a practical setting.
The START Global Community © START Global
How can I become a member of START Hamburg?
New members are admitted twice a year, coinciding with the start of the winter and summer semesters respectively. For the winter semester, the application period usually begins in August or September, so that new members can join in time for the start of the semester in October. For the summer semester, the application and onboarding period generally takes place in March or April. The community is deliberately structured to span multiple higher education institutions. Our members generally come from at least five to seven different universities and higher education institutions in Hamburg. START Hamburg is therefore not tied to any single institution, but sees itself as a city-wide network for students with an interest in entrepreneurship.
