HNX Your way to start up
Your team for business start-ups at the HSNR

Hochschule Niederrhein. Your way.
Group photo in the StartUpLab

HNX - Your start-up counselling at the HSNR

Do you have an idea or want to realise your own projects? HNX supports you on your way from the first sketch to the start-up.


Whether you are studying, teaching, researching or employed at the university, we will support you with workshops, personalised advice, tips on funding opportunities and a strong network.
Our goal is to work with you to establish a vibrant start-up culture at Hochschule Niederrhein that is open, practical and bold.


Curious? Then come along, ask your questions and get started right away.

Latest news

Gründungswoche Niederrhein 2025

The Gründungswoche Niederrhein will take place from 17 to 23 November 2025 and offers a variety of formats for anyone interested in start-ups,…

Gründungsmesse Niederrhein - HNX showcases the region's start-up potential

On 6 November, together with the Gründungsfabrik Mönchengladbach, we hosted the Gründungsmesse Niederrhein in the Textile Academy right next to the…

Our offers for your start-up journey

Counselling & Coaching

We offer free advice on all questions relating to start-ups - personalised, confidential and practical. Regardless of whether you want to develop your own idea, try it out or even develop a market-ready business model.

You will receive expert support from our HNX StartUp coaches

Knowledge & workshops

Do you want to find out more about start-ups, business models or funding opportunities? In our workshops, you will receive practical expertise on all aspects of founding a company in an understandable, compact and directly applicable way.
 

Take a look at our calendar and discover what's coming up next.

StartUpLab

At our campus in Mönchengladbach, you will find our StartUpLab - a creative meeting place for all those interested in starting a business. Students from various disciplines come together here to exchange ideas, work on projects or network with exciting people from research and practice. Another lab is being planned for the Krefeld site.

Networking & inspiration

Get to know the startup ecosystem of the university and the region - at HNX events you can meet like-minded people, potential co-founders or experts in your field.

A good first port of call is our HNX Coffee Hour

- uncomplicated, open and ideal for networking and exchanging ideas.

FAQ

What does HNX actually stand for?

  • HNX is the abbreviation for Hochschule Niederrhein and X. The "X" symbolises the steps that need to be taken in the start-up process and also stands for our fields of activity: Excite (sensitise), Experience (qualify) and Exist (exist).

Can I get advice even if I don't have a concrete idea yet?

  • Yes, of course. Even if you don't have a clear idea yet, we will support you. We will help you to organise your initial thoughts, develop new perspectives and show you creative techniques that can take you further.

Does counselling at HNX cost anything?

  • No, our counselling is completely free of charge.

Who can use the HNX counselling service? Only students?

  • Not just students! Employees, lecturers and researchers at The Hochschule Niederrhein can also use our counselling services.

How does a counselling session work? Do I need to prepare anything?

  • You don't need to prepare anything for the first counselling session. We will look together at where you currently stand and what the next steps could be for you.

What happens to my idea - is it confidential with you?

  • Yes, of course. The protection of your idea is very important to us, and everything you discuss with us remains confidential.

What can I expect at Coffee Hour?

  • Coffee Hour is an informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere. You can exchange ideas with others, ask questions and meet new people.

How can I take part in the free workshops or events?

  • Just take a look at our event calendar. There you will find all the dates and can register directly using the contact form.

I would like to incorporate entrepreneurship into my teaching education - can HNX support me?

  • Yes, very gladly. Just get in touch with Judith Collier - she is the right contact person for all questions relating to entrepreneurship in teaching education.

exist-Women @HNX 2026

The Hochschule Niederrhein will once again launch the EXIST-Women funding programme in 2026, which supports women interested in starting their own business with workshops, mentoring and coaching.

A concrete idea is not absolutely necessary. The focus is on motivation, creativity and the desire to develop something of your own.

Curious? You can find more information here.

 

Registration for the next round of up to 10 scholarship students will begin shortly.

 

If you are already interested, you are welcome to contact us by e-mail (hnx@hs-niederrhein.de) and will then be informed in good time about the official start.

Event overview

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StartUpLab

Our StartUpLab on the Mönchengladbach campus is a meeting place for all members of the university. Students and staff can use our modern work and meeting rooms to develop their own ideas, try them out and develop them into competitive business models. The rooms are equipped with conference screens, whiteboards and creative materials.

 

The lab is open from Monday to Friday.

For room bookings, please contact us at: hnx(at)hs-niederrhein.de

 

 

⚲ 2nd floor in the K building, Campus MG, Rheydter Straße 291

Quest of Gelduba - The mobile idea game from HNX

Embark on a fantasy adventure in which you playfully learn everything you need to know about brainstorming, creativity and the path to founding a company.

Slip into the role of a magician's apprentice, master craftsperson in exciting mini-games and discover what you're really made of.

Perfect for anyone who wants to learn new things in a fun way and develop their own ideas.

Click here to go to Gelduba

Here is a YouTube video. Click on it to watch. The data protection regulations of google apply!

HNX- your way to start up! - is the team for start-ups and entrepreneurship at The Hochschule Niederrhein. We are currently sponsored by the federal funding projects GetUp_MeetUp_StartUp! in the StartUpLab@FH and Exist-Women funding lines

EXIST-Women

Funding body

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection

Project management

Vice President Department II Research and Transfer

Prof Dr Kathleen Diener

GetUp_MeetUp_StartUp!

Funding organisation

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

Project management and organisational anchoring

Vice President Department I Studies and Teaching Education

Prof Dr Gudrun Stockmanns

Operational project management: Stefanie Kutsch

Consulting
Accessibility