Proof of Concept
TEST YOUR PRODUCT IN FRONT OF MORE THAN 1000 CUSTOMERS
10 startup teams start selling their products live at the summit. With your pitch, you present your idea to over 1000 potential customers. They receive initial feedback from the market and can take the next step with their foundation.
You too can start a business live at the Entrepreneurship Summit, pitch your product and receive valuable feedback.
Application round: 07 April - 30 June 2025
From April 7 onwards, a form will be available on this page that you can use to apply for the PoC 2025.
Please note: The Proof of Concept will take place offline and in German, so we can only consider submissions that can participate in person and German language.
Good entrepreneurial designs always involve a lot of work. It often takes years to develop a business concept.
At some point, the time comes when you have to test the basic assumptions of your business model. At the Entrepreneurship Summit 2025, you have the opportunity to carry out the first market test for your entrepreneurial design - your business idea - under very real conditions with over 1000 Summit participants as part of the Proof of Concept format.
The Proof of Concept will take place during the Entrepreneurship Summit weekend from 11-12 October 2025. The aim is to receive as many binding orders as possible within this time and generate the highest possible turnover.
Proof of Concept Markttest 2024
At the Entrepreneurship Summit 2024, ten finalists of the Proof of Concept competition presented their business ideas in a practical market test.
They had one minute each to present their products or services on stage, after which visitors could experience, try out and purchase them directly at the stands.
The teams received immediate customer feedback, which helped them to further develop their business models in a targeted manner. The team with the highest turnover at the end of the day won the competition.
Proof of Concept Markttest 2023
Seven start-up teams presented their ideas live at the summit in front of over 1,000 potential customers – and tested whether their concept was convincing with real sales.
During the proof of concept, they received direct market feedback and were able to test their assumptions in practice. The event took place during the summit weekend from 21 to 22 October 2023 in Berlin. The goal was to generate as many orders as possible.
The summit brought together over 1,000 entrepreneurial-minded people who want to start businesses that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and value-oriented. Become part of our entrepreneurship community!
Proof of Concept Markttest 2022
At the Entrepreneurship Summit 2022, ten founders presented their ideas live on the big stage in the Audimax.
As part of the Proof of Concept competition, they put themselves to the market test with short pitches, a real audience and direct feedback. The aim was to win their first customers, gather market feedback and further develop their business models.
Your market test
Pitch your product to over 1000 potential customers in one minute
You have 24 hours to convince them of your product
Get valuable feedback from the market
Your participation
How to participate?
Would you like to pitch your product or service to over 1000 potential buyers at the Summit? Use the form on this page to apply.
- For the proof of concept, you will receive an “Entrepreneur Website PRO” from our partner the Komponentenportal.de. You have to set this up yourself and enter the required data yourself.
- You must have a binding offer from your supplier or a finished digital product.
- You have to formulate a short text that describes your concept, your product and, if necessary, you as a person.
- You and your team get free entry to the Entrepreneurship Summit. In addition, 2 people of your choice will also receive free tickets to the Summit.
What do you get from participating?
You will receive initial feedback from the market. The Summit participants give you valuable feedback with their questions and comments. This way you can quickly see whether and how your concept can continue to work in the future. Without having to make any major financial advance payments, the proof of concept enables you to start your new founding life. You also have the opportunity to achieve the first real conversions. Purchases can be made on site as well as online. So you can also integrate your online community.
And of course: many contacts to valuable sparring partners and early-stage investors are made at the Entrepreneurship Summit.
How can you apply?
You must offer your product (a service or goods) at the Summit. It is sufficient if you enable pre-orders. The price and details of the product must be fixed. Delivery must be made within one month of Entrepreneurship Summit 2025.
For the market test you can give the participants a discount of up to 20% on the normal price planned after the summit.
The concept must not have been implemented elsewhere.
Please note: The Proof of Concept will take place offline, so we can only consider submissions that can participate on site.
Testimonials of Proof of Concept Participants
Daniel Duarte from Koawach in an interview with Dr Johanna Richter (in German)
Lukas Roegler & Clemens Bröhl from Colibri in an interview with Dr. Johanna Richter (in German)
Andrea Funk from Decider in an interview with Dr. Johanna Richter (in German)
Selected start-ups from previous finalists
DECIDER makes cider from fruit from meadow orchards, which has a flavour somewhere between English cider and Hessian Äppelwoi.
Colibri Teachers combine language learning with unique online journeys into the world of language trainers.
Koawach make a caffeinated drinking chocolate from fairly and sustainably produced cocoa, guarana and spice compositions.
Fairjeans offer high-quality jeans that are produced in an environmentally friendly and fair way.
Biobrush produce sustainable, organic toothbrushes in a modern design.
Turtuga is an online platform designed to make it easier for people to organise their everyday lives more sustainably.
don´t quit is a fitness game designed to motivate people to overcome their inner couch potato and get fit in a fun way.
Julinga is a partnership game in which partners can get to know each other better and improve their communication.
ikonomo provides ideas and products for sustainable living. Such as the cooking box: an old and effective method of saving energy when cooking.
MON COURAGE produces vegan, sustainable and high-quality natural cosmetics.
beosh produces sustainable bags from cactus leather in Germany.
